How to Make Designer-Look Home Decor with Napkins (Wrinkle-Free!)
Stop overpaying for boutique decor. Learn the secret to a professional, wrinkle-free decoupage finish that transforms thrift store finds into high-end statement pieces for your home.
We’re sharing our best tips and techniques on how to decoupage with napkins without wrinkles. Get the tutorial for perfect results every time using this iron-on decoupage method! It’s our foolproof way of transforming old and thrifted items into boutique-worthy home decor.
Our Simple Trick for Designer DIY Decor
We don’t get to shop in high-end boutiques often but the best part is knowning that you can find unique, high-quality pieces that aren’t mass-produced.
That’s one of out favorite parts of upcyling with napkin decoupage: you can transform otherwise inexpensive items into wow-worthy custom decor and gifts. Here are just a few of our recent favorite projects:
While we all love a beautiful napkin decoupage project there is nothing worse then getting to the final step and seeing that the napkin has wrinkles!
Because napkins are so fragile, it’s hard to go back and get the wrinkles out without tearing the napkin.
The good news is, there is a way to craft with napkins and achieve a perfectly wrinkle-free creation: iron-on decoupage! We’re showing you the easy steps with a gorgeous paper pumpkin napkin on to an upcycled plastic container.
But, you can follow this same craft technique to create all kinds of decoupage projects. Let’s get to it so you can start crafting!
Join our crafting community to find more nature-inspired DIYs and upcycled craft ideas. It feels good to repurpose, upcycle and create with nature!
Materials Needed
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- Plastic container
- Decorative paper napkins
- Decoupage Glue or
Mod Podge - Mini heat press or
EasyPress Mini - Parchment paper
How to Decoupage with Napkins without Wrinkles
Remove any labels from your container. If you’re having a hard time removing it, you can always heat it up with a heating tool or hair dryer which helps the label come off easier.
Prepare the printed paper napkins by removing additional ply layers leaving just the one printed layer.
Apply a coat of decoupage over the entire container. If you’re using a wood surface or one with color, make sure it’s smooth and painted a light color before decoupaging.
Let the decoupage glue dry completely.
Place the napkin on top of the container and gently press down with your fingers. Cut off any excess.
Place a piece of parchment paper over top of the napkin and take your heated iron and gently rub back and forth.
This iron-on decoupage method has the smoothest and nicest finish for decoupage! You can also add another coat of glue on top of the napkin to seal it all in.
Look at that beautiful smooth finish! If you have not tried the iron-on method yet for decoupage, it really is a great technique. We’ve used this same technique on metal trays, shoe boxes, clay pots, Dollar Tree wood surfaces and more!
Think about all of the creations you can make for your own home or to give as gifts. Using recycled containers makes this a very inexpensive craft too.
If you do use this technique on your next decoupage craft, make sure to show it off to us! It really makes our day. Tag us on Facebook or Instagram– we can’t wait to see it!
More Decoupage Crafts
Just look at all the creative ways the same crafting technique can be applied. You can decoupage on plastic, glass, wood and even rocks!
- Upcycled Coffee Canister
- Bumble Bee Upcycled Wood Box
- Decoupage Napkins onto Glass Jars
- Paper Napkin Decoupage on Clay Pots
- How to Decoupage a Rock
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Make Designer-Worthy Home Decor with Napkin Decoupage!
Materials
- Plastic container
- Decorative napkins
- Decoupage or Mod Podge
- Mini heat press
- Parchment paper
Instructions
- Remove any labels from your container.
- Prepare the printed paper napkins by removing additional ply layers leaving just the one printed layer.
- Apply a coat of decoupage over the entire container.
- Let the decoupage glue dry completely.
- Place the napkin on top of the container and gently press down with your fingers.
- Place a piece of parchment paper over top of the napkin and take your heated iron and gently rub back and forth.
What temperature do you set the heat press at?
Can you use this method for the inside of a shell too? I don’t know where to purchase an heating element like the one you used?
Hello! It is trickier to decoupage inside the shell with the iron-on method. Instead, use the wet-method shown here: https://sustainmycrafthabit.com/seashell-trinket-dish/ . Hope this helps! -Jane
I was also wondering about the best temperature for the mini heat press.
I use the lowest setting and then go up if needed. But usually that’s sufficient for paper napkins.
Hello just found you tutorial and was wondering if you could this on glass like a glass plate
Yes, absolutely! I’ve ironed on to glass, wood, plastic, rocks. Works great. Just start with the lowest temperature setting and work upward so that the glass doesn’t crack.