Decoupage (day-coo-parj) comes from the French word coupe, which means to cut. The term refers to the technique in which surfaces are decorated with cut-out paper images and buried in layers of varnish.

Almost anything can be covered with decoupage: wood, metals, and ceramics are the most common surfaces. Any paper item can be used, although it may need preparation before cutting. The arrangement is laid out and the images are glued to the surface and varnished. Wax topcoats or special varnishes can be used to produce different effects.

Decoupage is often used to cover flaws in damaged thrift store finds. Lamps, trays, picture frames, and furniture can be given new life with decoupage. Because decoupage is versatile, requires few materials, and can be done by beginners, it has become an extremely popular hobby.

While you can buy materials made specifically for decoupage, you can also use materials you probably have around the house. This makes decoupage one of the cheapest crafts out there.

Decoupage is now one of the fastest growing crafts in the world. It requires a relatively small capital outlay, can be done from home, and appeals to people of all ages.

One of the advantages of decoupage is that it requires very little equipment, and you probably already have the tools you need to get started. However, there are items that can be useful in your decoupage, if they are not strictly necessary. These will vary according to the exact job you plan to do.

Favorite decoupage themes are flowers and fruits, birds and butterflies, and angels and fairies. You can use any type of paper for decoupage: postcards, seed packets, greeting cards, wallpaper, and children’s picture books. Many cutters look for old papers at junk and antique stores. There are also pattern books made specifically for decoupage.

It’s best to avoid very thin images, as they can tear. It is also preferable to avoid papers that have images on both sides, because when you paste them you can see the image on the other side. Images can be scanned into your computer and printed; this is useful if you want to color them yourself.

If the image you plan to use is printed on paper that is too thick, you can make the paper thinner. This often applies to calendars or greeting cards.

The quickest method is to split the paper in half with a nail and carefully peel it off. Using very fine sandpaper, rub the back of the print smooth and apply a coat of sealer.

Alternatively, apply a few coats of varnish to the face of the print, allowing each coat to dry. Soak the print in warm water for a few hours, remove it, and place it face down on a piece of waxed paper. With a wet finger, begin to gently rub the paper. Be careful not to rub off the print. Sand the impression carefully and seal.

Decoupage is an ancient and venerable art form, and you can see examples in many dating back many hundreds of years. It was extremely popular in the 18th century and became popular again during the late Victorian era. Today decoupage is gaining popularity, and new technology and easy access to computers mean it’s easier than ever to create new images.