Cardstock is a thick type of paper that is sturdier and heavier than many standard or regular types of thin paper used in Decoupage.
But if you are looking to use paper that’s thicker and more durable in your Decoupage projects, is it fine to use Cardstock paper?
So can you use Cardstock for Decoupage? Yes, you can use Cardstock for many Decoupage projects. Cardstock comes in many different designs, thicknesses, and colors which makes it ideal for Decoupage. It can be adhered to many different surfaces and layered using Mod Podge and Decoupage mediums.
Cardstock paper, also known as Cover Stock and Pasteboard is fine to use for many Decoupage projects. It’s a thick type of paper that is often cut to size and glued directly to a flat and smooth surface using Mod Podge.
For some Decoupage projects, you can use Cardstock for layering, 3D Decoupage, and decoration. As heavier Cardstock can help you to achieve a thick and highly durable surface that’s ready to be sealed.
Is Cardstock Easy To Use For Decoupage?
The short answer is yes, Cardstock is easy to use for Decoupage as long as you are gluing it to flat or smooth surfaces. Due to the thickness of the paper, it can be harder to use and glue down on uneven, rough, or curved surfaces. So to easily use Cardstock for Decoupage, use it on flat or smooth surfaces.
For many Decoupage projects, Cardstock will be easy to use as you can use scissors to cut it to size and glue it flat to the surface using Mod Podge or Decoupage glue.
Cardstock also comes in many different colors and designs which can make this heavier type of paper ideal to use in some projects.
However, if you are trying to Decoupage around edges, curves, or onto rough, uneven surfaces. Cardstock may not be the ideal choice for your Decoupage project because it’s relatively thick paper.
Using thinner paper instead of Cardstock may make it easier to wrap the paper around uneven surfaces and edges. As Cardstock can be hard to glue down to anything other than a flat surface and may get creases or wrinkles if you try it.
But this doesn’t mean you can’t try to use Cardstock in your projects. You just have to be aware of how thick the paper is. Cardstock comes in a variety of different paper thicknesses. 10pt, 12pt, 16pt, and 24pt are all common thicknesses for cardstock paper.
So when you are trying to use Cardstock paper for Decoupage you should always consider the thickness of paper you need for the surface. Also, for layering or 3D Decoupage, ensure that the paper is not too thick when compared to the other materials and paper you have used.
Can You Mod Podge Cardstock Paper?
You can easily use Mod Podge with Cardstock paper. Using a sponge brush, apply a layer of Mod Podge evenly to the surface, then center your Cardstock and press gently to glue it down. Once it’s glued down, you can use a thin layer of Mod Podge to seal the surface. Then allow it to dry for 20 minutes or more.
Mod Podge can be great to use with many different types of paper, including thicker papers such as Cardstock. This is simply because Mod Podge is good multipurpose glue, sealer, and finish that is suitable for many different projects.
If you are using Mod Podge with Cardstock paper. It’s normally a good idea to apply Mod Podge to the surface or back of the paper before gluing it down.
This is because Cardstock is a relatively thick and durable paper, and it doesn’t normally absorb moisture or glue in the same way that thinner types of paper or napkins do.
So you should glue down your Cardstock paper by applying Mod Podge to the surface using a sponge brush. Then center your Cardstock paper and press down lightly to glue it down. Once it’s glued down, you can seal the surface with a further coat of Mod Podge.
When using Mod Podge to glue down and seal Cardstock paper. It will usually be touch-dry within approximately 20 minutes. So you should allow 20 minutes or more before applying further coats of glue or sealer to your project.
Can I Decoupage Cardstock onto Wood?
The short answer is yes, you can Decoupage Cardstock onto many different surfaces including wood. If you are gluing Cardstock paper onto a wooden surface, you should prepare the surface and ensure it’s clean, flat, and smooth before sticking down your Cardstock paper.
You can Decoupage Cardstock paper onto many different wood surfaces providing they are flat, smooth, and won’t wrinkle, crease, or damage your paper.
Cardstock is a relatively thick type of paper, which can sometimes make it harder to Decoupage onto wooden surfaces that are rough, unfinished, or uneven.
This is because air bubbles may get trapped under the thick glued surface of the paper if it’s not evenly glued to the surface. It’s also hard to form Cardstock paper around bumps, edges, or uneven surfaces.
So to Decoupage Cardstock paper onto wooden surfaces. It’s usually best to ensure you have a larger wooden surface to work with, and that the surface is very flat and smooth before gluing down your paper.
If you need to prepare a wooden surface before Decoupaging it using Cardstock. You can clean and sand the wood surface using fine sandpaper such as 400 grit sandpaper.
Can I Decoupage Cardstock onto Glass?
To Decoupage Cardstock onto Glass, you can soften firm Cardstock paper using a damp paper towel to make it easier to form and wrap around your glass surface. Once it’s softened, apply Decoupage glue or Mod Podge to the glass surface or back of the paper, then press lightly to stick it down.
When you are using Cardstock paper to Decoupage onto glass surfaces. It can be a very good idea to try and soften the thick Cardstock paper using water to make it easier to form it around a curved surface.
Once you have glued your Cardstock paper to the glass surface, you can also lay a sheet of Wax Paper over the surface so that you can safely use a roller or Mod Podge squeegee to flatten and smooth the surface.
It’s important to know if you are using Cardstock paper to Decoupage a curved glass surface. If you do not soften the paper it can be a little too stiff or thick to bend or adhere to the glass surface.
This is especially true if you are using heavier Cardstock paper such as 16pt to 24pt, or 350gsm to 400gsm. As this is essentially card paper that is relatively thick and will stand up under its own weight while being highly durable.
So when most people Decoupage onto glass surfaces. They tend to use very thin and highly absorbent papers such as tissue paper, napkins, or rice paper. These types of paper make it much easier to form around and Decoupage glass surfaces.
Can I Decoupage Cardstock onto Uneven Surfaces?
The short answer is no, not always. Cardstock is a thick and heavier type of paper that can be hard to Decoupage onto some rough or uneven surfaces. For certain uneven or curved surfaces, you may need to soften the paper using a damp cloth and water. Cardstock works best on flat and smooth surfaces.
So if you want to Decoupage onto an uneven surface, it can sometimes be best to bypass using Cardstock paper and choose a thinner type of paper that will make it much easier to form and wrap around an uneven surface.
That being said, you can still use Cardstock for many different things including layering, decorations, or embellishments. You can cut your designs to size and glue them down using Mod Podge onto the surface.
Cardstock paper usually works best when it’s being Decoupaged onto very flat and smooth surfaces. However, it’s also commonly used as a way to decorate or add final flourishes and color to the final finished surface before it’s sealed.
So when you want to use Cardstock paper to Decoupage onto an uneven surface. It’s important to know that the paper’s thickness and weight may cause you problems when you try to glue it down. As it won’t naturally form or wrap around the surface unless you soften the paper using water.
Can You Varnish Cardstock Paper?
Yes, you can use an Acrylic Varnish to harden Cardstock paper and protect the craft surface. For Decoupage, the best medium to use is a spray varnish that’s quick-drying, waterproof, and non-yellowing. But any protective varnish that is glossy or dries clear is suitable for Cardstock paper.
If you are using a Varnish to seal your Cardstock craft project. It’s always recommended to test the varnish you will be using on a scrap piece of cardstock paper.
This will allow you to see how the varnish dries on the surface, and how stiff or durable it makes your Cardstock paper before using it on your main project.
Typically it’s best to use varnish for Decoupage that dries clear or glossy when it’s applied to Cardstock paper. This will help to ensure it does not affect the final finish or go cloudy, white, or yellow when it dries.
Can I Print Onto Cardstock For Decoupage?
If you are trying to print onto Cardstock paper for Decoupage. It’s important to know that only some light to medium weights of paper may be suitable for home printers. Cardstock paper that’s 250gsm to 378gsm can be too thick or heavy to use with certain types of printers.
So when you are trying to print onto Cardstock for Decoupage it’s usually recommended to use 10pt to 12pt medium paper. As it’s thinner and usually much more likely to be suitable with your printer.
However, if you are unsure whether or not you can print onto paper for Decoupage. You can test a single sheet with your printer to see if it’s possible, you can also check your printer’s paper specifications before testing it.
In most cases, if the Cardstock paper is too thick for you to print on for Decoupage using your home printer. The printer will simply not feed the paper or it will jam whilst trying to print, which is normally relatively easy to fix and remedy on most printers.
If you find out you can print it onto Cardstock using your printer, you can now print your own designs using this paper thickness for Decoupage. If it doesn’t work, you will need to use a thinner Cardstock paper or regular printer paper.
Where Can I Find Cardstock Paper for Decoupage?
If you are looking to buy Cardstock to use for Decoupage. You can visit local craft or hobby stores in your area as most will stock different weights of plain, colored, or decorative cardstock paper for you to use in your crafts. You can also purchase assorted colors and patterned Cardstock paper online.
So when you are looking to find Cardstock paper to use in your Decoupage projects. It’s always a great idea to see what can be found locally to you before buying anything online.
This is because when you are getting ideas for crafts and Decoupage, it’s sometimes good to be able to feel the thickness of the paper and figure out your designs before committing to buy anything.
Also, as we’ve said previously you can try to print your own Cardstock paper to use for Decoupage. So for this, you will simply need a plain pack of light to medium Cardstock paper that’s suitable for use with your printer.