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Decoupaging Boxes

Kitsune64 by Kitsune64

Personalizing the World, One Box at a Time

It all started with a love of boxes. That's right: four sides, a lid, nice clasp... and plenty of room to hide things. You never know what you'll find when you open a box, and that's part of the allure.

After years of hunting down decorative boxes in specialty and odds'n ends shops, I discovered the art of decoupage, and I thought, "Well, I do some pretty cool artwork... why not put it on boxes of my own?" And so, I patiently stalked the aisles of my local Hobby Lobby for the appropriate box, picked up some paint and a bottle of Mod Podge, and away I went!

You, too, can create your very own decoupaged boxes using your own artwork, your children's, or scrapbook paper, and this lens will show you how.

What IS Decoupage?

Kindergarten Meets Fine Art

Decoupage literally means "the art of cutting out." A little less literally, it's the art of cutting out pictures and gluing them on another object (in my case, boxes). This is a craft that is simple enough for a Saturday afternoon with the kids, and yet, once mastered, can also produce beautiful works of art. Masters of decoupage can create collages that look as though they've been painted on to the object - things that would look fantastic in any home.

I'll admit it right now - I'm no master, but I do enjoy it as a hobby, and I can start you on the path to decoupaging. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I do. ^_^

For more information, check out the Wikipedia article on decoupage.

How Kit Decoupages a Box

Step-by-Step

Geisha Kitsune BoxThe basic idea is pretty simple: cut and paste. Of course, there's a lot more to it than that, and each decoupager out there probably has their own methods - some very simple, some including everything from sandpaper to cheesecloth. I'm a fan of keeping things simple, so here's how I do it.

Required materials: A nice, sturdy box; decorative paper or printouts; scissors; decoupage medium (such as Mod Podge); paint brushes - at least two, one for paint and one for your decoupage medium; acrylic craft paint; newspaper or other scrap paper; water and paper towels (for clean-up).

  • Choose a box. There are a lot of styles of boxes, and they help determine what your design will be. Personally, I prefer wooden ones - the papier-mache ones can be a little flimsy.
  • Pick out your design. In my case, I like to examine the box, then choose all my elements: artwork, color, borders, etc.
  • Prepare your work area. Cover your work area in newspaper or other scrap paper. This way, you won't get any paint or Mod Podge on your kitchen table.
  • Paint your box. If your entire box isn't going to be covered in paper, you need to paint it. Choose a color (or colors if you're doing stripes) that compliments your design and doesn't clash or distract from it, and then paint away! Plan on needing at least two coats to even everything out.
  • Cut out your design. If you've got one of those nice nail kits with the small little curved scissors, those work great for really getting in at the details. For things like borders, get yourself a nice steel ruler and a craft knife (parents, don't let the kiddies do that part).
  • Mod Podge it. Make sure your paint's dry, then apply your first coat of Mod Podge or your decoupage medium of choice to the side of the box you're working on first with a brush or a sponge brush. Cover the entire side, not just where you'll be decoupaging, or else you may end up with uneven color.
  • Apply the decoupage medium to the back of your cut out and position it on your box. Then, try to smooth out all the air bubbles, starting in the middle and working your way out. Be careful and try not to get any glue on your fingers, or else you might pull up your cut-out.
  • Apply a layer of decoupage medium over everything. This will seal your edges and make it less likely your cut-outs will curl up on you.
  • Work one side at a time. Continue around your box, working on each side and the top until your cut-outs are all attached. Make sure any side you're resting on your work surface is thoroughly dry before setting it down, or else you might end up with an unpleasant surprise.
  • Add multiple coats. Let everything dry, then add another coat of decoupage medium over your box for a little extra protection. If you want a really nice, hard coat, let it set for a week, then apply another coat or two. You can also use a sealer or something like polyurethane. Personally, I just stick with the Mod Podge, so if you do use something else, make sure to read the directions first!
  • Add on the extras. Suede paper or felt for the bottom and interior lining, sparkly gemstones, ribbon, seashells, decorative coins, pretty much anything you can think of. Do this after your last coat of Mod Podge, and you're done!

Kit's Latest Box

On Willheit Shoppes

I'm not the fastest box decorator out there, but when I do get one finished, I put it for sale in my Etsy shop. Here's my latest: the Red Butterfly Believe Box.

This one was inspired by a picture in a card-making magazine. You really can find inspiration everywhere - magazines focusing on other papercrafts are great sources. You just have to think outside the box... or around the box, in this case!

Anyways, the rich, vivid reds and paired with yellows and golds give this box a definite autumn feel. Blue acrylic fashion gems add an extra punch to the top, and the butterfly adds a little dimension. This one's not wood, but it's still a durable little box (as long as you're not using it for punting practice!), and it looks great on an end table or as part of a decorative display.

Click the listing below to see more pictures and information.

| Price: $0

(full description)

Tip: How to Avoid Color Bleed

Keeping Your Colors in Place

If you print out your own designs, there are two words you have probably come to dread: color bleed. Color bleed is that horrifying discovery that one of your colors has smeared, smudged, or otherwise invaded another one. Frequent offenders are reds and purples, but any dark color has the potential to bleed, turning white shirts pink and faces purple.

Color bleed typically happens when liquid comes into contact with ink. If you've ever dripped water on your freshly-printed book report, you've probably witnessed it first-hand. Unfortunately for decoupagers, many of our decoupage glues, such as Mod Podge, can also cause colors to bleed. If bleed happens and it's too obvious, your best shot is to simply cover over the piece with a fresh print out and try again.

However, there are a few things you can do to minimize color bleed:

  • Use water-resistant ink. Some printer inks are water resistant. If you can afford them, this can help in your decoupaging projects.
  • Let your print-out dry first. It's tempting to race from the printer right to your craft station, but avoid the temptation. Decoupaging a print-out fresh out of the printer is an invitation the color bleed fairies just can't resist. Instead, set it aside and let it thoroughly dry for a while before even bringing your scissors near it, let alone your glue. I prefer to let it sit overnight, just to be safe.
  • Start slow. Instead of heaping a brushful of Mod Podge onto your design, start slow. Thick gobs of Mod Podge will encourage colors to bleed, so instead start by only dipping the very tip of your brush into the glue. Then, carefully apply it to your design, using short strokes. I've found that short crisscrossing strokes work well. Continue until you have covered your entire surface with a very thin layer. Apply the second layer the same way, and then you can start using more glue.

These methods may take a little more time, but it's worth it to avoid the frustration of having a project imperiled by bleeding colors. If you have any anti-color-bleed techniques of your own, please share them in the guestbook!

Mod Podge: Your Essential Decoupage Tool

The most important item in your toolbox is your decoupage medium - what you use to attach your pictures to your box. Now, you've got several options for this, from just good old Elmer's diluted with water to Royal Coat, but my personal medium of choice is Plaid's Mod Podge. It goes on easily, rarely causes printouts to bleed, and creates a nice, hard seal to protect your work.

Mod Podge comes in a number of different finishes and types. The basic ones are:

  • Matte finish: This is the dullest finish, and my preferred one. Perfect for project when you don't want anything distracting from work.

  • Satin finish: This one gives you a nice, subtle shine. Smooth as satin!

  • Gloss finish: This is the highest level of shine. Gives your work the look of glass, or at least a nice coat of polyurethane.

Mod Podge comes in 8 oz, 16 oz, and gallon bottles, and there are several other kinds out there. Whatever your project, there's a Mod Podge perfect for you.
Mod Podge CS11302 Original 16-Ounce Glue, Matte Finish

Mod Podge CS11302 Original 16-Ounce Glue, Matte Finish

Amazon Price: $5.06 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

Personally, I prefer to use Matte Finish for my boxes. No distracting shine, and it's durable enough for daily use. Plus, it's usually pretty easy to find!

“ModPodge stays tacky for about a week, so prop your box open until it cures or it'll be glued shut!”

Tip: Use Painter's Tape!

How to Get Nice Straight Lines

Typically when I create a box, I like to use a combination of paint and decoupage. After all, those unfinished wood boxes you get in craft stores aren't exactly the ideal color. A nice coat of paint can really add to your decoupage design by giving it a nice backdrop.

Just coating the box in one color is simple enough, but what if you want to do a hand-painted border? Or stripes?

The answer... painter's tape! Yep, the same stuff you use for masking your woodwork, doors, and cabinets when painting the kitchen works just as well on boxes! It goes on easy, comes up almost easier, and leaves a nice, clean line of paint behind it. Just mark out the width of your border, use the tape to outline it, paint, pull up the tape, and you'll have a nice border left behind.

Or you can do stripes. Just mark out the width of your stripes and use your tape.

Hint: Do all the strips of each color all at once, then go back and tape for the next color and do all those stripes. It will save you time, and you probably won't get as much paint on your hands.

ScotchBlue Painters Tape for Multi-Surfaces 2090-1A-4X, 1 in x 60 yd, 4pk

ScotchBlue Painters Tape for Multi-Surfaces 2090-1A-4X, 1 in x 60 yd, 4pk

Amazon Price: $7.17 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

So why use painter's tape? It's medium adhesive tape, which means it won't pull up your dry paint or ruin your wood. It's meant to be temporary, and it's meant to be used for painting.

  • Leave it on the box for up to 14 days without worry.

  • Removes cleanly, even on surfaces exposed to direct sunlight.

  • Meant for use on semi-smooth to semi-rough woodwork, glass and metal surfaces.

Materials from Amazon.com

What You'll Need For A Great Box

Just like with any craft project, you'll need materials! You can find links to places to order boxes and decorative paper in the links list, but here are some of the things you can get from Amazon.com
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Tip: Take Care of Your Brushes!

How to give your most important tool a longer life...

Not all brushes are created equal, and not all expensive brushes kick the bargain brushes' butts. My personal favorites came in a large pack of brushes for under five bucks. Still, it can be hard to find a brush that works for you, so once you do, how do you keep it in good shape?

  1. For starters, do not use the same brush for both your paint and your decoupage medium. Keep them separate, even if it means dipping the back end of your paint brushes in red and your Mod Podge brushes in blue.

  2. Second, if you'll be setting your brush aside for a bit while working on your project, rinse it out. Once paint dries in your brush, it is nearly impossible to get out. Mod Podge is even worse. Once it starts building up, you'll never get it off. So, run your brush under the faucet, gently spreading the bristles with your fingers and, if necessary, scraping out the more stubborn clumps. In the case of paint, press the brush against a paper towel before declaring it clean. If it leaves color on the paper towel, you've still got some cleaning to do!

  3. And finally, let your brushes dry by leaving them resting on a paper towel. Make sure the bristles aren't at odd angles, or else you'll have a really funny-looking brush when it dries!

Take good care of your brushes, and you'll be able to use them for years.

Decoupage Links

Great Places to Visit

Looking for more information on decoupage? Or how about some great examples of what can be done? Check out these sites!
Decoupage 101
If you're just looking for a quick, concise introduction to decoupage without going straight to the professional level, this is the place for you. Step-by-step instructions, alternate materials list, and project ideas.
Decoupage Delights
A nice personal site with how-to, inspiration, and a nice little gallery of decoupaged boxes and such.
All About Decoupage
Just like the name says, this is THE place to learn all about how to do decoupage. With in-depth, professional instructions and a beautiful gallery of work, this is THE page to visit!
Scrapbooker's Paradise
A great place to find decorative papers for your decoupaging project!
Paper Wishes
Another great source for decorative paper, but this site is where you can find one of my favorite materials: suade paper. Nothing finishes off a box like a fine lining of soft, velvety suade. Because it only has suade on one side, it's easy to work with and can be attached with just Mod Podge. Just don't cover the suade side! ;)
ScrapbookPaper.com
Great source for all your scrapbooking needs - including decorative papers, stickers, and other embellishments that will look great on your box!

Hummingbirds Jewelry Box

A Custom Order



A friend of mine's mother was moving to another country for work, and my friend wanted something to help her mom with any homesickness while far, far away from the family. So, she and her siblings ordered this custom box, featuring a photo of their family.

Specifically, she wanted something for her mom to keep her jewelry in, using her favorite color of green. Her mother also loves hummingbirds and flowers, so I designed and digitally painted the border panels and hand-drew the knotwork borders in a green to compliment the Mocha Java color of the body.

The interior and bottom are lined in a lovely green suade paper, and there are two removeable trays inside for her jewelry.

If you would like to order a custom box of your own, please contact me through my Etsy shop and I'll be happy to discuss it with you. ^_^

Decoupage for Special Occasions

How to Make That Occasion Just A Little More Special...

Think about it: the best kind of gift is one you've put a lot of thought into, and a lot of love. There are plenty of special occasions that can be commemorated by a special box. Here are just a few suggestions.
  • The Wedding Box. Have you got a close friend getting married soon? Make the happy couple a wedding box! Cover a box in wedding-themed paper or paint it and take a photo of the bride and groom and decoupage it onto the lid. If you've got a graphics program, you can also give the photo a sepia tone for a nice touch, or add verses from their vows.
  • The Anniversary Box. Is your favorite couple coming up on a major anniversary? Make them a box! If you do a little research, you can even theme it according to tradition. For example, the flowers associated with the tenth anniversary are daffodils, so maybe you can incorporate a frame of daffodils around a nice photo of the couple.
  • The Baby Shower Box. Surprise the mother-to-be with a beautiful baby-themed photobox. You can buy boxes specifically made to hold photos at your local craft store, often in undecorated white or brown, and just find some cute paper and go to town! If you know the gender of the baby, go all out with the pink or blue. If you'd like something a little less gender-specific, try a neutral color scheme of green or yellow and use pictures of cute things like ducks or frogs. Add some bows, gemstones, or charms, and you'll have a one-of-a-kind gift that will give your friend a special place to keep all those baby-years memories.
  • The Birthday Box. Celebrate those big milestones with a birthday box! Sweet 16, 21, and then all the decades after are great occasions for a box. Make one for your grandmother's 80th with a collage of family photos to bring those memories back and a smile to her face every time she looks at it.
  • The Going-Away Box. Got a friend who's moving away for college or a new job? Give them something to remember you by with a box covered in photos of all the friends they'll miss and the good times you had. Add logos from your favorite hang-outs or snippets of menus from their favorite restaurants. Add a nice "Thinking of You" and they'll have something to remember you by.
  • The Vacation Box. Just take a great vacation to the coast? Or maybe you spend a couple of weeks in Europe. Make a box to keep all those small souveniers in whether they're train tickets and keychains or theatre programs and cocktail napkins. Take your favorite photos and highlight them on the lid and sides. Postcards also work. Don't forget to add the date and location somewhere on there!
  • The Christmas Box. Looking for something unique and personal to give as a gift for the holidays? Try a hand-decoupaged Christmas box! Christmas or wintery themed decorative paper can be found at your local craft store, or use some of your favorite wrapping paper as a backdrop, then decoupage a vintage Christmas image or the cover from a Christmas card onto the top. You can even trim it in ribbon or add use a jingle bell for a knob. For a personal touch, take a family photo of everyone in their holiday attire or in front of the tree and use that for the top. Makes a great gift for Grandma!
  • The Graduation Box. Commemorate that special day with a graduation-themed keepsake box! A keepsake box makes for a unique, personal gift and gives them a place to keep all their medals, pins, ribbons, and various other items from their school days. Use pictures from the graduate's school, special photos from their time in high school or college, and don't forget to add the date of their graduation!

What Else Can You Decoupage?

Thinking Outside the Box

Sunset Fox Sketch JournalAlright, so you know you can decoupage boxes, but what else can you do? The answer, my friend, is just about anything you can think of! With a little research, you can find out how to prepare everything from wood to glass for decoupage, making the options nearly endless.

Here's just a few ideas of things you can try out:

  • Wood pendants.
  • Ceramic vases.
  • Decorative plates.
  • Glass bottles.
  • Toy chests.
  • Cabinets.
  • End tables.
  • Journal covers.
  • Light switch covers.
  • Pencil holders.
  • Coasters.
  • Chairs.
  • Egg shells.


Experiment and see what else you can do with a little paper and glue!

More Project Ideas

Complete with Pretty Pictures to Inspire!

Like just about any craft out there, you can find books on decoupage just chock-full of project ideas. Next time you're looking for ideas, give one of these books a try. You'll be bursting with ideas before you know it!
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Tip: Write Down Your Ideas!

Before They Drift Away

Alright, as you've been reading this page, your creative muse has been working away in the back of your mind, plotting out all the different things you could decoupage. Birthday gifts, photos you want to use, different themes you could create a collage around... all swimming around in your head. But decoupaging takes time, and you don't want to lose any of those ideas. So, what do you do?

You keep a craft journal!

That's right. All you need is a notebook and a pen, and you won't have to worry about any of those fantastic ideas fading back into the ether. There's nothing more frustrating than knowing you had a great idea and for the life of you not being able to remember it. With a craft journal, all your ideas are kept in one place - no hunting around for all those stray thoughts or scraps of paper! When you get an idea for a project, just grab your journal and write it down. Or, if you've got a vivid image already in mind, sketch it out! You'll never have to worry about losing an idea again. Even better, next time you have a hankering for some crafting but don't know what you want to do, you'll have a whole treasury of ideas, just waiting for you to try.

Any notebook will do, but check out these cool journals. Maybe one of them is your perfect craft journal!
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Places to Sell Your Decoupage

Decoupage is addictive, and there comes a point when you've got more than enough around your house and all your friends and family have received at least one of your masterpieces. When that happens... it's time to sell!

But where can you try and sell your items?
Etsy
Never heard of Etsy? That's a shame. Etsy is an online marketplace devoted to handmade items, which makes it the perfect venue for decoupage! It's affordable and fairly easy to use. It's also a great place to find one-of-kind hand-made gifts for your friends and family, so spend some time there and check it out!
eBay.com
This probably doesn't need an introduction, but it's one of the places where you can peddle your wares. I'm sure you know how it works.
Shophandmade.com
Another site like Etsy, where you set up your own little shop and peddle your wares. They allow only handmade goods, which just means nothing mass-produced.

Kit's Decoupage on Etsy

from Willheit Shoppes

Selling your work on Etsy is a pretty nice way of doing it. The shops are easy to set up and both buyer- and seller-friendly. My sister-in-law and I have a shop of our own, Willheit Shoppes, where I sell my boxes and she sells her jewelry (and the occasional box - decoupage, it's contagious! :D). Please stop by and check us out.

Here are the boxes we currently have up.

| Price: $0

(full description)

| Price: $0

(full description)

Pink Ballerina Animals Box and Mini Notebook | Price: $20

This pink wooden treasure box features five different ballerina animals: a panda, a bunny, a kitty, a puppy, and a zebra, each in their own cute littl... (full description)

Other Great Shops on Etsy

There are a lot of people who sell decorative boxes on Etsy. Some of them are nice... and some of them are phenomenal. Here are a few of my favorite sellers. Whether you're looking for a new decoration, a special gift, or just like looking at the pretty boxes, give these shops a try.
  • Janna Lee Designs: Cutting Edge Decoupage - This is classic-style decoupage. A lot of her work is custom, and perfect for celebrating special events.
  • BH's World - Beautiful boxes that would make a lovely addition to any home.
  • N and J Designs - Cute and funky boxes, most with extra decorative accents.
  • SwtTsCrafts - More than decoupage here. Click on the "storage boxes" section to see all the decoupage work. Some very interesting things here.
  • Fun Wall Art - Despite the name, mostly boxes here. Very glam boxes with lots of personality!

Decoupage with Durwin Rice

Paper Napkin Decoupage

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Durwin Rice on Decoupage

Yep, he doesn't just make YouTube videos - he's also written books on the craft. With a fun and casual approach, Durwin eases you through the process and teaches you some of the techniques he uses while still encouraging you to experiment. He also suggests ideas for just about every room in the house. As a bonus, the photos are beautiful, and something you should definitely see if you ever plan on trying to sell your stuff online.

Definitely one to buy, whether you're just starting out or been dabbling for awhile.

Also visit his blog at www.durwinrice.com
New Decoupage: Transforming Your Home with Paper, Glue, and Scissors

New Decoupage: Transforming Your Home with Paper, Glue, and Scissors

by: Durwin Rice

Amazon Price: $9.93 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

Easy to read with a light touch of humor, a walk-through of the basic techniques, and product suggestions for every room of the house makes this book a must-have.

Decoupage and... Murder?

Crafty Mysteries... in more ways than one!

Are you a cozy mystery fan? Then you're in luck! Author Lucy Lawrence has combined our favorite craft with murder mysteries in her new series, just started in 2009. Weaving together decoupage tips with small town mystery mayhem, these books offer a whole new way to indulge your love of decoupage!
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Share Your Thoughts

Just drop by and say hi! ^_^

  • fugeecat Nov 12, 2011 @ 7:59 pm | delete
    Modge Podge is a gift from God!
  • KarenCookieJar Jun 26, 2011 @ 10:08 am | delete
    I made some decoupage cards once, but my crafts never turn out well.
  • alteredkat Sep 6, 2010 @ 9:30 am | delete
    Thanks for visiting my "How to make a Scrabble Tile Pendant" lens...I appreciate your comments...I love decoupage...haven't done it in years but it's a great craft! Thanks for sharing!
  • JewelryCollectibles Apr 26, 2009 @ 12:53 pm | delete
    Thanks for visiting my jewelry lens and for your kind comments! I love your boxes!! 5*'s!
  • janices7 Jan 20, 2009 @ 1:11 pm | delete
    Fun lens with great photos, tips and ideas! I'm not all that crafty, but decoupage is one thing that I can actually do and have my stuff turn out looking great. Perfect for keepsake photo boxes! 5*
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This So Crafty page written by

Kitsune64

I'm an artist and writer from the Midwest with a love for decorative boxes. I especially like creating original anime-style fantasy art.
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