Print, cut
and glue!
Aunt Annie's Crafts
Decoupaged Box
What you will make:
In this project you will learn the basics of decoupage by decorating a box made from cardstock with images printed on your color printer. Decoupage originated in Victorian England as a way to decorate items in the style of Oriental enamels without all the painstaking work. Decoupage basically involves applying paper cutouts to the surface of an item and then finishing the item with many coats (12 to 16) of varnish to get the look of enamel.
In this simple project, you will apply paper cutouts to a cardboard box and then apply 3 or more coats of an acrylic sealer like Elmer's Glue-All or Mod Podge. The same technique can be used to decoupage wooden boxes, glass vases or plates, etc. With the wealth of images available for downloading and printing, this traditional craft is well suited to modern times.
Here's what you need:
- Computer paper, bright white
- Cardstock, white or colored
- Images to print
- Small container for glue mixture
- Optional: Craft knife and mat, spray acrylic sealer
- Scissors
- White glue (PVA)
- Foam brush
- Craft stick
This project is rated EASY to do.
How To Make a Decoupaged Box
Read all of the steps before starting.
- Step 1: Preparation
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Make a box using white or colored cardstock following the instructions in one of Aunt Annie's Box projects. The samples shown in this project were made using the Plain deeper pattern in the Shirt Box project.
Select and print images to cut out and apply to the box. The images can be from clip art collections, downloaded from websites or scanned from books or magazines. The images used in this project come from Dover Publications: Decorative Butterfly Illustrations CD-ROM.
Keep in mind the size of the box when selecting and printing the images. The rectangular box made from the Plain deeper pattern has a lid that is 2¼" by 3½", so print enough 1" to 3" images to cover the box's lid.
- Step 2: Seal
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Seal the printed images with a light coating of white glue thinned with a little water. Allow images printed from an ink jet printer to dry completely before sealing. Mix the glue and water using a craft stick and apply the mixture to the images with a foam brush.
Tip: This coating will make cutting the images easier and will reduce the bleeding of the ink jet inks. However, some brands and/or colors of ink jet inks bleed more easily than others. Experiment with images printed from your ink jet printer. Increasing the drying time may reduce the bleeding.
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Step 3: Cut
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After the sealer has dried, roughly cut the images apart into individual pieces. Using small sharp scissors, cut around the edge of each image leaving an 1/8" or less margin of white paper.
Tip: Use a craft knife for very intricate designs or to cut out any interior spaces.
- Step 4: Arrange Cutouts
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Experiment with various arrangements of the cutouts on the box lid. Use a repositionable glue to allow for easy placement and removal of the cutouts. You can arrange the cutouts in a pattern, or cover the surface completely, even overlapping the cutouts. Keep experimenting until you are pleased with the design.
- Step 5: Glue
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Glue the images in place using white glue diluted with a little water. Press down on the images and rub over the surface with your fingers to ensure good adherence to the box lid. Let the glue dry completely before going on to the next step.
Tip: Pay special attention to the edges of the cutouts. Be sure they are firmly adhered.
- Step 6: Finish
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In a small plastic container with a lid, make a mixture of 3 parts white (PVA) glue to 1 part water. Mix with a craft stick. Using a foam brush apply a light coating of the glue mixture to the box's lid covering all the cutouts. The cutouts may pucker a bit from being wet. Don't worry they should flatten-out as the glue dries.
After the first coat has dried completely, check for any edges that are loose and glue them down. Apply additional coats of the glue mixture until you have the look you want. Usually 3 to 6 coats will be enough. Be sure each coat dries completely before applying the next coat.
Tip: For a glossy finish, spray the finished piece with a clear acrylic sealer.
Before you start:
- Make a place to work.
- Read all of the directions.
- Gather everything you need to do the project.
- Think about the project. Imagine how it will look and what you will do with it.
Are you ready?
Okay, get started!!!
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Tip: The cutouts can be glued in overlapping layers to
nearly or completely cover the surface of the box lid.
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Tip: For a look of more depth, make the box lid with
colored cardstock that contrasts with the paper cutouts. Leave uncovered
patches so that the color of the box's lid shows.
Related project: Decorate any of the boxes from Aunt Annie's box projects with decoupage. These Flared Boxes are well suited for decoupage.
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Tip: For an interesting look, apply images that extend
beyond the edge of the lid then trim them even with the edge.
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Tip: Shaped and layered cutouts are an elegant
way to decoupage a box lid.