Can anyone help me with advice on using vellum paper and mod podge?

Question

I just bought a fairly expensive book of pretty vellum paper, already printed, and I am trying to do some mixed media collage work with it.  Is there a special rule for vellum?  It just curls and wrinkles and sometimes I don't care but sometimes I want smooth.

Duv310660 · Answer

We used to use something like this back in the day before computers in our graphic design studio. I think that your glue method may be the problem. Are you opposed to using something like a spray mount? This will give you a thin layer that will not buckle. Or, if you want to use a glue that you are brushing on, cut yourself a flexible straight-edge from card stock or yogurt container lid or similar and (sorta) 'ice the cake' by moving all excess glue back & forth and off, leaving a thin coat. This option would require some resilience or weight to your paper since you are 'squee-geeing' it, but the spray mount handles even the most delicate papers easily.

Anyway, I can offer some advice on pre-positioning and smoothing the paper down in place (it's easier to do than explain it in words), so if you think this is going in the right direction, let me know if you have more questions.

Duv310660 · Answer

Spray mount is sold under a number of different names; some are 'heavy duty', some are repositionable... I'm guessing that your priority would be to dry invisibly. If it were me, I would get myself to a knowledgeable art store and ask.

I don't know anything about the repositionable kind; with the permanent stick it's best to 1. position, 2. make a hinge with tape, 3. draw back paper to underside, 4. cover everything else up, 5. spray evenly, 6. remove cover, 7. use one hand to hold the side opposite to tape hinge up, and the other hand to smooth it down bit by bit (or use a folded cloth). Once it sticks, its stuck, so a little practice smoothing as you go makes it easy. We used to have a paper that acted as a release (it was the blue backing for sheets of letraset). Letraset is no more, but you could try something like wax paper, or ask a photo store that sells mounting products. With that technique, you just have it under the glued item laying flat and in position, and you just slip the release sheet out as you smooth your art down. If positioning tape is a problem, just adhere the tape to your jeans a pull it off again until it is sticky enough to stick, but will release without damaging the surface

What you are working on is very lovely - I would hate for you to hit a difficult problem. I really think if you come up with a way of 'skim coating' your glue, you'd be in business. What about evenly coating the base (not the vellum), an then lowering it in a controlled way using techniques mentioned here?

I hope you can carry on with the results you require...

Jo Pell · Answer

They make special adhesives for vellum that I use in scrapbooking and it works very well

Linda Cody · Answer

wrinkles are just great details. They add to the character of the piece

Linda Cody · Answer

I mod podged maps onto end tables and coffee table and have all kinds of wrinkles. It adds character and there is no way to get all of the wrinkles out

You313504 · Answer

Back in the late 60s we used to spray our decoupage papers with a Krylon sealant then glue and varnish. It sealed the paper so it wasn't absorbing the moisture directly into itself and let us apply with a very flat smooth appearance.

Dolores DeLuise · Answer

If you use a brayer before you put decoupage medium on the top, the wrinkles will become flat and, in my opinion, decorative.

Maggie Ann · Answer

A brayer is a smooth roller, designed specifically for this sort of thing. They are carried at craft stores. Hope that helps! I sure do understand why you want the flexibility of applying the vellum smoothly rather than with wrinkles. :)

Maggie Ann · Answer

@Lori , I don't know muchh about ink stamps, unfortunately. Maybe someone else could help you with that question? And good luck with your collages!

Mommom49 · Answer

try using a small foam roller which can be purchased at craft stores, probably where you find stencils. Roll over pad and then onto the stamp. Maybe that would work.

Jo Pell · Answer

Scotch brand tape makes one that will say vellum tape on it.

Lori · Answer

I will lookfor that, thank you.

Christina · Answer

Cheaper than a brayer is an old credit card or a toy rolling pin that has been polyurethaned.

Dolores DeLuise · Answer

I use a small wooden rolling pin with the handles removed--check thrift stores. Vellum resists sticking. If I use Mod Podge or Gel medium, I put a bit of glue (Art Institute Glitter Glue--sticks to everything, almost) around the perimeter and/or in the corners. You will get wrinkles if you tamp it down with a brayer, etc, but they will be flattened.

Denise · Answer

Hi Lori, A lady called Deb has posted a wrinkle free decoupage method on this site. If you search 'wrinkle free decoupage' her post should come up. She uses golden medium but it does require investment in a craft iron. Anyway, I hope her post helps in your search for a technique for your lovely vellum.

Candace Jean · Answer

What ended up working best for you?

Patti Reece DelGrosso · Answer

what is the weight of the vellum? I just did a bunch of decoupage with vellum. It was 29lb. Curious what you have. I am loving working with the vellum but I would definately note recommend for an amateur. It was work for me and I have done lots of decoupage already. But the finish...oh so beautiful. Nothing else will give me the finish the vellum does.

Emily · Answer

Oh, boy if I had (and I do) something made out of vellum, I would not monkey around with it.

Jeanetta Liptrap · Answer

Vellum doesn't play well with wet adhesives. There are some specialty products for vellum that should be easy to find at craft stores, scrapbook or stamp stores, Amazon etc. You need dry methods like vellum tape, glue dots, double side adhesive sheets. Staples, eyelets, brads... you get the idea. Otherwise maybe copy the design onto different paper. Good luck.

Can anyone help me with advice on using vellum paper and mod podge?

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Can anyone help me with advice on using vellum paper and mod podge?

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