Mod Podge Tips

Mod Podge! This magic glue has so many applications that the things you can apply it to are basically unlimited. But you may be unsure of how to get the best finish for your next piece of art. Here are a few tips to help you. First and foremost, begin with the basics:

• A clean brush (I personally use foam brushes but I’ve heard of people using paint brushes too).
• A plate or something to pour a bit out of the container (I use styrofoam plates that I got 10 for .10 at the best paper store in Brunswick, Ohio – Hollos).
• Prepare your surface: Wipe it clean, maybe even rough it up a bit with sandpaper & make sure all dust particles are removed.
• A brayer or something to smooth the surface once you have applied the mod podge (I don’t do this for all projects, only if the surface is larger like on a clipboard). When I’m working on smaller projects I just use my fingers to smooth out any air bubbles.

Once you’ve applied the mod podge, be sure to set it in a way that allows it to dry completely. Be sure not to set it on paper in case anything drips off, I’ve had paper stuck to the edges of projects before (if this does happen you can use a nail file or sand paper to get it off).

When you are ready to begin, start by painting a thin layer on the two surfaces (less is more with mod podge, you can always add more but you can’t take away). Once you have the first layer on be sure to allow plenty of time to dry, especially if you live in a humid climate. In cases where I’m using mod podge to adhere a picture or paper to a piece of acrylic (where the glued pieces are on the ‘inside’) I will actually place the entire project under a piece of furniture overnight to allow it to fully dry, with pressure on it.

There are many types of mod podge types available. Depending on your project there are various formulas… classic, paper & fabric. In addition to the various formulas you can also choose between matte and glossy or even glitter. These options will depend on your personal preference. When working with photographs, I prefer to use the paper mod podge. This one is formulated to be acid free, I’ve also found that it is a bit thinner so the drying time doesn’t seem to be quite as long as the other formulas. The 3 types of mod podge that I keep on hand are paper, satin & classic-matte finish. I did a little test (using Brand New Pencil Alpha By Mel Wilson). Overall I think that on regular paper there isn’t a major difference but I wasn’t actually adhering anything to the paper so that might have added some differentiations. Except of course that on the M piece there isn’t a sheen to it like the satin or paper samples.

Here is Plaid’s explanation of the different types of Mod Podge available.

History of Mod Podge:

The inventor of Mod Podge, Jan Wetstone, first developed Mod Podge in the 1960s in her garage. The name of this now-famous mixture came from the term “Modern Decoupage.” She tested it on all kinds of surfaces; she even decoupaged a Volkswagen Beetle using bed sheets!

Over the years, Mod Podge has grown to become a favorite of crafters everywhere, including Martha Stewart, Rosie O’Donnell and Creative Juice television show co-hosts, Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenze!