The Beauty of Round Napkin Reverse Decoupage on Clear Glass Plates
Delving into the art of reverse decoupage on glass plates, especially for beginners, is an exciting journey that transforms simple items into unique, handcrafted treasures. This detailed guide, inspired by Donna from Mason Creations etc., takes you through each step of creating a beautiful glass plate with a round decoupage napkin. In this fun tutorial, Donna highlights the special products available from DecoupageNapkins.com which can help you achieve professional results.
Preparation: A Clean Slate
Begin with a clean glass plate, ensuring there are no fingerprints, dust, or grease. Using an alcohol wipe is highly effective for creating a spotless surface, which is crucial for the decoupage medium to adhere properly. This step sets the foundation for a flawless finish.
Base Coating: Setting the Stage
Apply a thin, even layer of Polyvine Multi-Surface Lacquer to the back of your plate. This product acts as a primer, preparing the surface for decoupage. It’s important to allow this layer to dry thoroughly, as it ensures the subsequent layers adhere well, making the finished piece durable.
Napkin Selection: Choosing Your Design
Selecting the right napkin is crucial. For this project, a round napkin works best to complement the shape of the plate. DecoupageNapkins.com offers a wide range of beautifully designed round napkins perfect for this technique. Remember, you’ll need to carefully separate the layers of the napkin and use only the top-most printed layer for your project.
Crackle Effect: Adding Texture
For those who love the vintage look, adding a crackle effect can give your plate character. Pentart’s Fine Line Crackle Varnish comes in two components that, when applied one after the other and allowed to dry, create fine cracks in the surface. Donna likes this particular crackle for the visible layer peeking through the front side of the plate. This Pentart product creates wider cracks, revealing a cracked porcelain effect. It nicely compliments the napkin pattern. This step requires patience as proper drying time between applications is essential for the effect to develop fully.
Antiquing: Enhancing the Cracks
Once your crackle varnish is completely dry, Pentart Antiquing Paste can be applied to accentuate the cracks, giving your piece an aged appearance. Gently wiping away the excess paste allows the design beneath to show through while highlighting the intricate crackle pattern. This step adds depth and character to your work. Seal the Crackle with a Pentart's solvent based Clear Varnish before later adding various water based products which we detail below.
Decoupage: Bringing Your Design to Life
This is where your project comes to life. Next, apply a layer of Multi-Surface lacquer to the underside of plate as a decoupage medium. This product is specially engineered to adhere to glass. Carefully place your napkin, printed side facing the glass and gently brush the napkins with more lacquer from the center out to completely cover the napkin. Smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles with gentle pressure, starting from the center and working outward. This ensures good adherence. After allowing sufficient drying time, trim any excess napkin from the edges. In her video, Donna demonstrates this step using a fine sanding tool.
Final Touches: Adding Elegance
For a truly finished look, paint the back of your plate with white paint. This step makes your napkin design stand out against the glass. Adding the Polyvine Craquelure System will create an antique look to the backing. For a glamor effect all around the plate's edge, add gold leaf or paint trim. This professional decorator touch lends an additional element of elegance and sophistication to your project.
Seal and Protect your Design
Apply Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish over the entire design to seal your work, protecting it from moisture and wear. This layer also gives your plate a professional, glossy finish.
Plate Care
Your finished plate can be handwashed with soap and water, then immediately towel dried. Do not run your plate through a dishwasher and do not allow it to soak in water.
Throughout this guide, we’ve highlighted how each step can be enhanced using specific products from DecoupageNapkins.com, tailored to make your decoupage experience as enjoyable and successful as possible. From the initial cleaning to the final sealing, each product has been chosen for its quality and compatibility with decoupage projects.
We’re incredibly grateful to Donna from Mason Creations etc. for her inspiration and artistic guidance. Her talent and creativity make it possible for beginners and seasoned crafters alike to explore the joys of decoupage, creating beautiful, personalized pieces that add warmth and charm to any space.
This tutorial is just the beginning of what you can achieve with decoupage. Whether you’re crafting a gift, personalizing your home decor, or simply enjoying the process of creating, the possibilities are endless. Visit DecoupageNapkins.com to find all the supplies you need and to explore more project ideas inspired by artists like Donna.
