How to Make a Reverse Decoupage Glass Plate for Christmas – Easy Guide

Have You Ever Wondered How to Create a Stunning Holiday Plate with Just a Napkin and Some Simple Supplies?

Donna from Mason Creations etc. shows us just how easy it is to craft a beautiful reverse decoupage glass plate, perfect for Christmas! This fun and festive craft is beginner-friendly, with techniques that bring a special magic to any holiday table. Watch the video below and follow along with our detailed steps to create your own masterpiece!

Step 1: Preparing Your Plate To begin, you'll need a clean surface for your project. Use an alcohol wipe to thoroughly clean the back of your glass plate. This helps remove any oils or dirt, ensuring the next layers adhere well. Place a paper bowl under your plate to elevate it—this keeps the edges from sticking to your work surface.

Next, apply Polyvine Multi Surface Lacquer with a dead flat finish to prime the back of your plate. This helps the decoupage medium stick better and prevents paint from chipping later. Let this dry overnight for the best results.

Step 2: Prepping Your Napkin For this holiday project, Donna uses a beautiful poinsettia-themed round napkin available on DecoupageNapkins.com. Round napkins are particularly easy for decoupage on plates! Separate the napkin layers, keeping only the top layer with the design. Use a water brush to create small slits in the napkin so it will lay flat on the dome-shaped plate. This allows the napkin to conform to the plate's curves.

Step 3: Adding Paint Splatters For some added festive flair, mix a bit of gold paint with water to make it runny. Use a fan brush, and by tapping it on your finger, splatter small droplets of gold paint around the plate. Be sure to cover any surfaces you don’t want splattered! If you put too much paint on your brush, the splatters will be too big, so keep it light—mainly on the tips of the bristles.

Step 4: Applying the Decoupage Using Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish, start the "dry decoupage method." Begin by brushing some varnish directly onto the back of the plate, and place the napkin upside down on the surface (so the design shows through when the plate is flipped). Brush more varnish over the napkin, making sure to smooth out wrinkles as you go. The slits you cut will overlap slightly, but don’t worry—these will blend seamlessly once everything is dry.

Step 5: Smoothing and Finishing Touches To smooth any wrinkles, Donna uses a cut-up ziplock bag spritzed with water. She places the bag over the napkin and gently rubs it with a paper towel. This helps reduce any remaining bubbles or wrinkles without tearing the delicate napkin. Once everything is dry, she trims the excess napkin with a mini sander, ensuring a clean edge.

Step 6: Adding a White Backing To make the napkin colors pop, Donna uses Dixie Belle chalk paint in "Cotton," a bright white, to cover the entire back of the plate. This step ensures the beautiful poinsettia design stands out, giving your plate that extra holiday cheer!

Step 7: Adding Gilding Flakes  Donna uses Polyvine Metal Leaf Size to apply gilding flakes in a stunning aurora lights color. This step gives the plate an elegant shine, with colors ranging from gold to turquoise—perfect for the holiday season.

Step 8: Sealing the Plate Finally, seal your design with three coats of Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish, waiting at least an hour between each coat. This will protect your work, making the plate heat and water-resistant (though it's still hand-wash only!). This varnish is also food-safe, so you can use your plate to serve cookies or other treats.

Thank You, Donna! We’d like to extend a special thank you to Donna at Mason Creations etc. for sharing her expertise and creativity with us! She makes these beautiful projects so accessible and fun for everyone.

Subscribe for More Crafty Fun! If you enjoyed this tutorial, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get 10% off your next order. DecoupageNapkins.com has all the supplies you need—napkins, rice papers, paints, gilding flakes, and more—to keep your creativity flowing. Happy crafting!