In this post I’ll be sharing an easy napkin decoupage DIY – perfect for Halloween decor projects!
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Today I’m trying the viral napkin decoupage DIY trend that has been popping up all over Tiktok and Instagram over the past few months. While I’ve most commonly seen it done on decorative pumpkins, this is the kind of project that can be customized to suit any aesthetic, season, and object.
If you’re unfamiliar with decoupage, it’s essentially a form of decorating an object with the use of glue and some type of cutout material – typically paper, tissue, magazines, etc. but can also include other materials like beads and wood. It’s often combined with gold leaf or other special paint effects.
The super commonly used crafters favorite, Mod Podge, is essentially a brand of decoupage glue. It goes on white and dries clear, so it’s perfect for adding a layer on top of materials to really seal them in place.
For this project, you can use any object – if you’re here during Halloween season, consider faux decorative pumpkins or skulls. But I also think this would be so versatile for any season – like a floral vase or decorative catchall bowl. There are endless ways to express your creativity, and it all comes down to the design of the paper napkins you choose to use!
Let’s dive in…
Napkin Decoupage DIY
MATERIALS
- Item of choice to decoupage – I had these mini skulls in my Halloween decor bins from many years ago, but you can find similar ones here.
- Mod Podge
- Printed paper napkins – the mushroom cottagecore inspired ones I am using here are from HomeGoods, but you can also find them here. Another similar option linked here!
- Scissors
- Small craft paintbrush
- Liquid Leaf, Rub N Buff, or Gold Leaf (optional for gold gilding details)
HOW TO
Start by cleaning the object you want to decoupage with warm soapy water to remove any dust or particles.
Next, take your paper napkin and unfold it. Carefully pull at one corner and peel the napkin to separate just the 1 ply with the printed design.
Closely cut around each element you want to use in your decoupage design. You can leave a small border around the edges, but just know this will show on your final design, so make sure the colors on your napkin will blend in well with the color of your base object.
I recommend taking the time to cut out all of the elements at once before starting to glue, but you can always add more later to fill in the small gaps as needed if you’re going for a full coverage design.
To start the decoupage process, pour some Mod Podge into a small bowl or paper plate. Tip: if your Mod Podge is older and you find it’s a bit too thick, you can add a few drops of water.
Hold the element in place on the object you want to decoupage and carefully add Mod Podge with a small craft paintbrush. Start with the edges, then slowly cover the entire element, smoothing out any lumps and bumps along the way. Try not to oversaturate the napkin with glue, or you’ll risk ripping it. As a safe bet, start on the bottom or back of the object until you get the right balance of how much Mod Podge to apply.
Again, the Mod Podge may go on slightly white initially, but it will dry completely clear.
And that’s basically it! You just repeat this process around the entire object in whatever pattern or design of your liking.
This is where your creativity really shines through. You can create your own custom pattern, fully cover the object in larger pieces of napkin, or pick and choose random spots to apply selected elements to.
Once you have the design completed and all of the napkin elements are on. Apply one last thin coat of Mod Podge over the entire thing for an extra secure seal.
As a final touch, I went in with a small craft brush and added some Rub N Buff to further accent the gold gilding on the flowers of the skulls
These turned out so Cottagcore with the whimsical mushroom printed napkins. As a bonus, I ended up having SO many extra napkins – perfect for a future garden party or maybe even another decoupage project!
One last thing I’ll mention is that ideally, you want to match the scale of the napkin to the size of the object you want to decoupage. In my case, I had these mini skulls on hand, so I made sure to find a napkin with a smaller scaled pattern. If you decide to decoupage a large decorative pumpkin, definitely opt for a larger napkin or at least one with a larger scaled pattern.
Click here to watch the DIY come together in my latest IG reel!
Hope this inspired you to get crafty and creative with some paper napkins, there are so many fun options out there and the best part is that they are super accessible!
If you like this content, check out these posts below:
– DIY wavy clay trinket dish
– DIY neutral fall wreath
– DIY aged painted planters
Xx Laura
PIN THIS FOR LATER!
