How to Choose the Perfect Decoupage Paper for Your Project

Decoupage is a popular crafting technique that involves decorating an object by gluing paper cutouts onto its surface. The art of decoupage has been around for centuries, and it continues to be a favorite hobby for many people around the world. One of the most important aspects of decoupage is choosing the right paper to use for your project. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the best paper for different decoupage products.

Decorative Decoupage Paper Napkins and Decoupage Rice Papers for Smaller Home Décor Projects

If you're decoupaging smaller objects like cutting boards, wood trays, jars or wood/MDF cut shapes, decorative paper napkins and rice papers are both excellent choices. These papers are thin and flexible, making them easy to work with and able to conform to the curves and angles of small objects. They also come in a wide variety of patterns and designs, so you're sure to find something that will suit your project.  Decoupage paper floral patterns are a favorite.

When choosing decorative paper napkins for decoupage, you'll find high-quality 3-ply European made prints here in our store. When fully open, the napkin is 10" square (cocktail size) or 13" square (luncheon size). There are four quarter-panels when fully open. Most commonly the image repeats on each, so you have four of the same pattern, mirrored. When there are different images on the napkin, we will include a second picture on our website in the product description.  Always remember to remove the two bottom white layers and use only the top-most printed layer. 

The decoupage rice papers which we sell here at DecoupageNapkins.com are highly durable, have premium print quality and therefore hold up very well to the glue used in decoupage. They are perfect for times when you have a larger surface area and need one large, continuous image. Rice paper can be easily cut or torn if you just want pieces of a pattern. Keep in mind that decoupage rice papers do not have a backing. Therefore unlike napkins, there are no ply-layers to remove. To learn more about how to apply decoupage rice paper see this blog "What is Decoupage Paper and How to apply it to Home Décor."

Large Tissue Paper and Decoupage Rice Paper for Furniture:

When decoupaging furniture, you'll want to choose a paper that is durable and able to withstand daily wear and tear. Large tissue paper and decoupage rice paper are both versatile products and great options for furniture upcycle. They are both lightweight and flexible, making them easy to work with since they conform to the curves and angles of furniture. Both tissue paper and rice paper are thin enough to prevent any bumps or creases from appearing on the surface of the finished product. Tear resistant decoupage tissue paper can be purchased in large 30' x 19' pieces and easily trimmed and placed. The fibrous, almost fabric-like texture helps it to adhere using any decoupage glue or gel adhesive. This makes tear resistant tissue paper ideal for furniture pieces. Decoupage rice paper comes in a variety of sizes, from small to very large sheets. We carry an array of these in our store. To learn how to apply tissue paper see the blog  "How to use Tear Resistant Tissue Paper from Redesign with Prima."

 Rub-on Furniture Transfers 

If you prefer a dry application method without using glue, Rub-on transfers are another popular choice for furniture up-cycle projects. They are easy to apply and can create stunning designs. These furniture transfers come in a variety of sizes to match your project. They are an extremely thin but strong decal which is burnished with a hand held burnishing tool onto the surface. One benefit to furniture decals is they are not opaque and can be applied to a color painted surface. In contrast, tissue papers and decoupage rice papers are opaque and the underlying color will show through. White is usually the preferred underlying color for tissue papers and decoupage rice papers. See "Step by Step - How to Apply Rub on Transfers from ReDesign with Prima Décor Transfers." 

Wet Decal Transfers (Wet Transfer Paper)

Wet transfer paper, also known as wet decal transfers, are a type of transfer that involves soaking a design in water before applying it to the surface. They tend to have a more professional and polished look because they are printed onto a thin, clear film that blends seamlessly with the surface of the furniture. This type of decal transfer, like a rub on transfer, also allows for more precise placement and can be easily repositioned if needed. See "How to Apply Wet Method Craft Transfer papers"

Scrapbook Paper for Journaling, Card Making and Mixed Media Collage Projects

Scrapbook paper is another excellent option for decoupage projects. Not only can this decorative cardstock be used for Scrapbooking, it can be used for Card Making, Junk Journaling and Mixed Media Art Collage. It is typically thicker than other types of decoupage paper, making it more durable and able to withstand multiple layers of glue and paint. Scrapbook paper comes in various textures, patterns, and colors, making it quite versatile. It is perfect for adding dimension and texture to your project. When selecting scrapbook paper, consider the overall theme and color scheme of your artwork to ensure that the paper complements the design. Additionally, look for acid-free and lignin-free paper to prevent discoloration and ensure longevity.

Ephemera, Stencils, Stamps, Die Cuts, Moulds, Foils, Collage Paper and Paper Flower Embellishments

Whether you are making a paper vintage scrapbook collection or making furniture art, embellishments can add that special touch to complete the piece.  You can add bold color accents using ephemera, stencils, foil transfer sheets, and collage paper.  You can add finishing trim with moulds and modeling clay to home décor for a 3D look. Craft paper flowers can also give a card or a page a three dimensional feel. 

When creating decoupage art ideas it's important to choose the right paper. There are many sizes and types available to suit your needs. Think about your project and what kind of paper will work best for it. You'll want to consider durability and flexibility. You can use décor tissue paper, rub-on transfers, decorative napkins, and/or rice papers for different projects. Choosing the right paper will help your finished piece look great and last a long time.