Things You\’ll Need
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Sandpaper
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Tack cloth or rag
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Acrylic paints
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Sponge applicator
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Printed image
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Craft knife or mundial embroidery
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Decoupage glue
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Decoupage roller
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Crackle medium
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Oil paints
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Linseed oil
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Crackle varnish
Adding the crackle effect to an object can make it appear older. This is a good technique to learn if you are one of the many people with an interest in antique-looking objects. Antiquing can be applied to any object after a printed image is placed on it. This allows you to customize the object with family pictures or any other image you want to use. There is an added sense of nostalgia created from pulling your family album out of an antique wooden box that displays an image of your great-grandparents on the top.
Step 1
Sand the surface you want to decoupage and wipe off the sawdust with a tack cloth or damp rag. Apply a coat of acrylic paint by stroking a sponge applicator in one direction on the object. Wait for the first coat to dry then apply a second coat using the same method. Allow the paint to dry.
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Step 2
Cut out a printed image with a craft knife or mundial embroidery scissors. Apply a thin coat of decoupage glue in one direction over the painted surface with a sponge applicator or a paintbrush. Allow to the decoupage glue to dry then apply decoupage glue to the back of the printed image.
Step 3
Position the printed image on the object without pressing it down. Lift half of your picture and use a decoupage roller to smooth out all air bubbles. One side of the image should be flat while the other half is still lifted. Roll from the center outward. When there are no more air bubbles, lower the rest of your print and roll out air bubbles from the center again. Allow the image to dry. Prick air bubbles with a pin to release air and roll over it again with the decoupage roller. Repeat for each image you are using.
Step 4
Apply a coat of crackle varnish using a paintbrush. Paint lightly in one direction. Don't go over the same area twice with your paintbrush. Let the crackle varnish dry. Apply a thin coat of crackle medium for thin cracks and apply a thick coat for larger cracks. Allow it to dry according to the directions on the label.
Step 5
Apply a coat of oil paint over the crackling medium. Wipe off excess paint with linseed oil.
Step 6
Apply two layers of crackle varnish to seal the surface. You should not be able to feel a ridge along the edge of your print. The entire print should be completely embedded so the print is protected.