Napkin Decoupage Box

Decoupage Projects: How to Make a Napkin Decoupage Box

Wondering what a napkin decoupage box is? Well...

You take an unfinished wooden box (you can find them super cheap at your local craft store) and make it beautiful using a paper party napkin!

This creative idea hardly cost anything to make and they make fun trinket boxes and keepsake containers for a variety of homemade gifts!

You can then fill your decoupage box with flower seeds, playing cards, sentimental items such as photos, poems or memorabilia or anything else you can think of... most likely depending on the theme of the party napkins you use and the person/occasion it's for.

I created this particular napkin decoupage box for a homemade Birthday gift for my mother, whose birthday is in the early Spring. I chose a flowery napkin design and I filled my decoupage flower box with several packages of flower seeds, since she loves to garden.

A Spring-themed decoupage napkin box full of flower seeds would also make a thoughtful homemade Mother's Day gift.

Or you could go in a completely different direction, such as a sports theme napkin decoupage box full of trading cards for a kid or a baby cute theme for a new mom to store baby memorabilia such as hospital bands and a baby announcement. More ideas below!

If you are interested in learning more about how to decoupage various surfaces, here's a handy page of decoupage instructions and tips for you to check out.

Personalize This Gift Idea For Any Occasion...

Depending on the theme you choose, your napkin decoupage box could make a great homemade thank you gift, birthday gift for boy, birthday gift for girl, party favor idea, gift for a coworker, Mother's Day gift, Father's Day gift, baby shower gift... just about any occasion.

Decoupage Instructions: How to Make a Napkin Decoupage Box

So you've got an unfinished wooden box!

And some left over party napkins... (perhaps you even nabbed that gorgeous napkin from that party the other day with art in mind)...

You could make a napkin decoupage box!... printed paper napkins make for some very interesting decoupage designs...

You can, of course, use other thin paper in place of paper napkins... (think magazines, calendars, gift wrap etc)

Materials and Tools:

• Wooden box
• Decorative Paper Napkin and Scissors
• Fine sand paper
• White acrylic paint and paint brush
• Decoupage glue or all purpose white glue and foam brush
• Varnish and wide soft brush
• Helpful Items: Paper towels, lint free cloth and moist rag for keeping fingertips clean
• Optional: you may need a craft knife (see step 6)
  

To Make a Napkin Decoupage Box:

Step 1. Remove any hardware. To avoid getting paint, glue and/or varnish on metal clasps and screws, it's best to remove these pieces before you start. You can often use a small screw driver (or even a small pair of scissors, depending on the shape and size of the screws). Keep hardware in a very safe place.

Step 2. Lightly sand the box. Very lightly sand and smooth entire box, especially any rough edges. Wipe with lint-free cloth.

Step 3. Paint. Paint box inside and out with acrylic paint or spray evenly with spray paint. It usually takes a couple coats. Allow each layer to dry according to manufacturers instructions, sand lightly between layers.

Painting Tips...

It's best to use a light color of paint such as white due to the thinness of napkins. Dark colors will usually show through napkins and other light weight papers.

Or... For an aged look, you could also opt to paint one darker coat of paint followed by a coat of white. Later on, after your image is adhered, you could use crackle medium on the areas of your choice, adding to the depth and contrast of your decoupage project.

Step 4. Cut image. Cut out design(s) from napkin. Be sure to gently separate any layers that the napkin may have.

Step 5. Glue Image. After you've settled on the placement of your design, it's time to glue it on. Using something like Modge Podge (decoupage glue) or watered down Elmer's glue, apply a light coat to the box where you want to glue down your design. Gently press your design to the box and allow to dry thoroughly before continuing decoupage project.

Note: Because paper napkins are so thin, it's usually not necessary to moisten the paper before gluing, however, a very light mist can be applied if you're worried about wrinkles. Moisture will of course make the napkin even more delicate. See decoupage instructions for more tips and instructions if needed.

Gluing Tips...

You can work in sections, apply glue with a foam brush, press on image and gently smooth image starting at a center point and working outward.

Keep hands clean as most napkins will bleed onto your hands when wet, which can then transfer back onto your project.

It's a good idea to keep paper towels, a small bowl of water and damp rags next to you as you decoupage. You can also use paper towels to help smooth, provided you are very gentle.

Step 6. Cut if needed. After gluing down your design and allowing to dry, use a razor blade to slice design if needed, where box needs to open.

Step 7. Varnish. Once everything is glued down and thoroughly dry, it's time to apply varnish. If you'll be doing any other decorating (such as using crackle medium, do this first). Once your box is to your liking, apply one layer of varnish with a very soft wide brush, do this very gently and very quickly to avoid colors bleeding. Allow to dry and repeat as needed over entire box.

Step 8. Hardware. Put hardware back on and you're done!

Now, look at the beautiful napkin decoupage box you have made!

You can also customize the inside of the lid for a surprise when the box is opened using:

• Photos
• Letters
• Quotes
• Affirmations
• Bible Psalms
• Other Images
• Scrapbook Embellishments
  

and more...

Get more decoupage projects here!

Related Pages...

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Guess who LOVED this decoupage frame with inspirational quotes?