how to seal paper collage

Right now the only thing I could think of was clear nail polish and that seems both expensive and time consuming, given the size of the brush. Professional-looking. (permalink), I have done and taught collage for a long time, and use any of the acrylic mediums to adhere and protect collages to paper, board or canvas. The fixative will act as a sealant for the collage. How do I protect the printed words from smearing? The rice paper acts as a glaze, softening the underpainting. Two of her tips stood out to me: Leave it alone to dry for 1 - 2 days. First, apply a thin coat of your adhesive to the canvas using a wide, flat paintbrush. 3 Answers. (permalink), I agree that Liquitex matte is the best varnish. I made some collages on wood, primed them with gesso, and then reused the gesso to seal them. The thin canvases are a simple, light-weight board, ideal for framing. Seal glued collages. I just joined this group. I'm rather new to doing collage work. So glue your paper pieces down as smoothly as you can, covering the whole back with a thin even layer of glue.I play with them or put a very heavy flat thing on top of the pieces until they are dry, in order to prevent waviness. : ) (permalink), When you say "panel," were you collaging on a sturdier surface (board or stretched canvas) or something more lightweight (cardboard, cardstock, paper)? You might, for example, need a good spreadable adhesive for paper and a heavier duty one for the objects that go on top of that background. Overlap pieces to form letters. ages ago Brush thin layer of glue on tissue paper. And I realize that my biggest mess cam from the background. I might need to get over my perfectionism...yikes! Always wear protective gear such as a face mask, eye-wear and latex gloves. 7. Working in a small section at a time, remove the pictures and apply a generous layer of decoupage medium onto the item you are decoupaging. I also weight it down to make sure it drys flat. Next, rub the Microglaze all over the surface of the envelope. And yes, inperfections and bumps happen no matter how careful one is, but they are part of the charm, yes? Make a random swathe of decorative papers, cover with gel medium and paint. I finally learned how to decoupage paper using Mod Podge WITHOUT the paper bubbling and wrinkling. I hope that more more experienced collage artists answer your question, but for me, either no varnish, depending on glass or plastic to protect the piece or very flat smooth gluing with varnish. This article has been viewed 86,960 times. This is Matthew from the Community Team at Flickr HQ. 1.) Then i use one most of the time, like for greeting cards or whatever. Cut tissue paper shapes to form letters. This process, called glazing, acts as an excellent barrier to airborne dust and pollutants, as well as the hands of a curious audience. Relevance. For more tips, including how to create a collage on a canvas, read on! But like you, i use many found objects, love the recycling, started making collages when i could not affored paint, back in the "ecology" era when we all loved "natural" whatever. (permalink), I'm working on collages of paper onto shiny metal containers and am wondering if anyone has any tips on how to best seal these? Basically it is ruined. After the gesso, I also used some spray on sealant, probably obtainable at any hobby or art store, gesso might be found at either of those retailers as well...anywhere that sells canvas (gesso is primarily used for priming canvas). Basically, you’ll coat your index finger with a little bit of Microglaze, as shown in the photo below. You could prepare the canvas first with gesso, and that might make it more smooth. I have an article with black (jet ink) letters. The paper wrinkled because you applied a very wet medium/varnish, and the exposed surface of the paper absorbed the moisture and the fibers expanded but the underside that you glued with the gluestick, did not. Most people will paint pictures and illustrations on canvas, but did you know that you can adhere paper to it as well? I just finished a collage on a panel made out of newsprint and magazine pages. Thanks:) The best way to protect your collage is simply to frame it properly behind a sheet of glass or Plexiglas. 97 months ago Apply two layers of top coat with the brush strokes going in opposite directions. Hope that helps. 11:38AM, 6 March 2009 PST If you are building a collage, consider applying the glue to the back of your image instead; work one image at a time. (permalink), HI! To achieve a finely lacquered finish you will need to sand lightly after a few layers of varnish and wipe away all dust. (permalink), Its a problem, i know. I also found this helpful collage tutorial by collage artist Joanna Grant at EBSQ: Mod Podge can be used as a glue and a sealant (she prefers matte) With the right technique, however, you can turn a plain canvas into a unique collage or as a base for a picture or photo. (permalink), Oohhhh...I did not know that. I use white glue or gel glue and spread it thin with an old credit card. If the pieces are flatly glued all the way to the edges they will varnish ok. Stir a few drops of paint into the medium to give your image a tinted look. Since inkjet paper is very absorbent, a spray produces a thin layer to coat the surface. If you click it, you'll go home. I made a collage from magazine cut outs and would like to know what I can use to seal the collage and create a smooth, glassy finish. What is the best acrylic medium to lay paper on canvas? What would be the best seal or varnish for me to use for this project? The bubbles came from the large images I used as the background. Apply it with a brush to individual collage elements. Make sure to press firmly to remove any air bubbles underneath your image. Minimize these by applying a primer coat of the acrylic medium to the element. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. ages ago I am excited to finally search the groups here on Flickr & join some of them. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Thoughts? If I know I'm going to use a wet medium over my paper collage (whether acrylic paint or a sealer/varnish), then I'll glue with a wet medium rather than glue stick. http://hellocreativefamily.com/how-to-mount-a-photo-to-canvas-tutorial-5-00-gift/, http://www.artistsnetwork.com/medium/mixed-media-medium/best-glue-to-make-a-collage, http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2013/05/scrapbook-paper-canvas-wall-art.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Thank you. (permalink), When you say varnish-do you mean like Mod Podge? (permalink), I've covered the front of some of my notebooks with sticker collages and I'd like to find a good way to seal them so that the stickers don't lift up. (permalink). Apply the next piece, usually somewhat overlapping the first or in another area, in the same way. I buy matte finish...it cannot go directly on top of inkjet images. Also, when you varnich, etc. Varnishing your collage will help seal in the pieces so they don’t easily fall apart. My notebooks get a lot of wear and tear, so I need it to dry smooth and hard. Cover the canvas with scrapbooking paper, then layer other images on top. ages ago I know people who swear by gel medium too. Collage using images on photo matte finish. So glue your paper pieces down as smoothly as you can, covering the whole back with a thin even layer of glue.I play with them or put a very heavy flat thing on top of the pieces until they are dry, in order to prevent waviness. 100 months ago Smooth the paper down with your hands to get rid of any creases or air bubbles. I have to use white glue or other liquid glue and not a glue stick, though, when i varnish. 2.) Mod Podge doesn't always dry dry....meaning it could be a bit tacky no matter how many days pass by.....If you read the container directions, it indicates that that might happen. I was generous with the glue here and decided to gloss over the entire collage surface to coat and seal the paper. This is reminiscent of a decoupage technique that can help protect and preserve your work. wikiHow's. (permalink), You could try using gesso. Acrylic medium is the glue of choice for many things, particularly since you can use it to seal the surface. The great thing about this stuff is that it can be thinned with water as needed and does not compromise the quality. Trace the canvas onto the back of your image, then use a sharp blade and a metal ruler to cut the paper. ages ago Also, if it's water proof, that's a big plus. Does anyone have any suggestions? I use Liquitex acrylic matte medium as an adhesive for light papers, using a burnisher to get rid of crinkles or bubbles. I used a glue stick to create the piece and then tried to seal it with Golden (brand) Polymer Varnish with UVLS (Gloss). References. (Think of decoupage or paper mache.) I would appreciate any advice on how to seal a paper collage without destroying and warping the delicate paper. Choose a type of canvas. https://piddix.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-prevent-smudges-and-bleeding.html Collage Painting: Article #4. What i use is sometimes not replaceble so i can not risk ruining a piece of paper by wetting it. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Then press the elements into place on the support surface. I would think that is more suitable for paper too. Non water based varnish, by the way, is yellowing but for certain very hard glossy finishes it is really the best, just MUCH harder to use. You can apply more than one layer of top coat, but you will need to let the previous layer dry first. Final question: What about varnish over Mod Podge? Polyurethane will give you a tough, durable finish that will withstand heat and other outdoor elements. When you open it, the product looks cloudy, but when I use it on paper it ends up drying clear and never yellows. If you prefer, you can spread the medium onto the back of the picture. Place first shape down on construction paper. (permalink), Thank you everyone for your thoughtful answers. So I am going to glue the background in one smooth (hopefully) layer, let it dry completely and then finish the rest of my collage. Spray Varnish: A spray varnish might be the easiest... something like Krylon Triple Thick would be perfect because it will seal the mixed media piece and give it a finished look. Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if you're already a member). ages ago Place your image on your canvas and then brush another layer of glue over the image to seal it in place. You can glue other embellishments onto the canvas after the top coat dries, such as ribbon, rhinestones, or buttons. Repeat Step 9 with another piece of collage paper, overlapping the first piece if necessary, or positioning it where it belongs. Plan for ample drying time to apply several layers of sealant to properly preserve your memorable print. ages ago A board/canvas 2. This is sometimes harder to do with thin papers like magazine and newsprint but can be done with practice. To create a paper collage you will need: 1. 100 months ago And you are exactly right. To use simply brush on a layer of the glue of your choice to the back of your image. (permalink), I collage with Mod Podge and what I found was most helpful is let it dry for a couple days.....a lot of the wrinkles and bubbles will settle down......then go ahead and varnish, etc. I still find that if one is going to varnish, a glue stick is not a great choice.And the heavier the paper, the easier it is to glue flat and bubble free. The goal is to get a very thin coating of Microglaze all over the envelope; if you apply too much, the Microglaze will make the paper look shiny. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. It also seems to work fine when used in the same collage with other papers adhered with acrylic medium. (permalink), I only use Liquitex acrylic matte or gloss varnish. Tammy B. Frustrated with stomach issues, but don't know what's wrong? These forms and shapes eventually create a whole image. 1 decade ago. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. (permalink), Yep! Thanks : ) Good luck! You can build up layers of rice paper to recover white areas or to create texture. (permalink), Since i often use thin papers, it is VERY DIFFICULT to get them even wet before one glues them- often they fall apart, or tear and i found that it was not worth the trouble.I guess i did not practice enough(30 years) Careful glueing was easier, saved work and paper. ages ago If any adhesive leaks out from underneath your paper, wipe it away with a clean paintbrush. Since paper collage is made up of paper, it’s a very delicate medium. I could really use some advice on how to take pictures of my collages. ... seal your work with a couple coats of your adhesive. Apply sealant of choice: you can use a spray sealant or a brush-on sealant like ModPodge as we did. Select a spray sealer or varnish to apply thin, even layers of varnish over the print. ages ago Brush thin layer of glue over entire collage to seal. Leave it to dry a day or two before hanging it on a wall. Collage itself belongs to the realm of Kali: dismembering of paper , appropriation of image, rebirth of pieces into a new whole. I just finished a collage on a panel made out of newsprint and magazine pages. The matte is better because it goes on super flat. I see how that could cause a problem. % of people told us that this article helped them. 89 months ago www.ebsqart.com/ArtMagazine/za_370.htm Spray a light coating of a clear fixative with a glossy finish onto your collage. or a liquid glue stick, again using a burnisher to flatten. Choose a color that contrasts your images for a collage. Rinse the brush out while you are waiting for the medium to dry, otherwise you will ruin the brush. When i am very careful about glueing i have the best result. Choose a color that matches or complements a single image that will cover the entire canvas. Anything from four to 15 coats may be needed depending on how thick the decoupage paper is and how smooth and durable a finish is required. To adhere paper to canvas, you’ll need a decoupage glue, like Mod Podge, or an acrylic medium. Brush with glue to smooth. You can't just use any ordinary type of glue, however, otherwise the paper may not adhere properly. If you are going to cover a photo, be sure to do a test swatch to ensure that the colors don't run or bleed. It’s also easily reversible if you should ever have a change of heart about it. 103 months ago This is one of my favorite ideas, and I happen to have a post on DIY Collage Art if you would like to read a little more about creating mixed media and collage canvases. In the meantime, use scissors to trim your contact paper to match the backing paper’s size. You can paint back into it if you want to. 88 months ago If you’re ready to seal a picture with polyurethane, chances are you’re in the final stages of decoupage – the art of affixing paper to furniture, walls and decorative accessories. The Spruce / Rita Shehan If you did not paint the canvas, you can skip this step. Once the glued materials feel firmly in place, remove the backing to the contact paper’s sticky side. However if you are not varnishing, a glue stick is so easy! Blitsy is where I purchase most of my crafting supplies as they carry all brands in one location. Because I had so much surface glue on my collage after applying the netting and beads, I made the decision to seal for consistency. I use satin finish polycrilic if I want to seal it completely. I also like the tip from DianthusMoon about the credit card to smooth bumps. The glue you choose to use for your collage project will depend on what type of items you are using. (permalink), I purchase the Polycrilic at Home Depot or Lowes and it comes in a metal can near the paint department...... Make sure you completely cover any area the picture will touch. I've used ModPodge, but nearly any wet medium will have a few wrinkles in it unless you're extremely meticulous in laying the paper down. I'm not saying completely soaking wet, but enough to let all the fibers expand rather than just some. Can I use Liquitex acrylic matte over it? Finally, brush another coat of your adhesive on top of the image, which will help seal the paper onto the canvas. Usually I coat non inkjet items with Mod Podge first then Polycrilic..... Use long, even strokes to give your image a nice, canvas-y texture. Thank you!! ages ago I am making a wedding gift for a friend using their wedding invitation, scrapbook paper and tiles to make coasters. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. However, if I or my students use magazine images in their work, I find that there is a product that helps to keep them from wrinkling called Royal Coat, found in craft stores. The best way to avoid wrinkling is to get your paper evenly wet. After that time, don't touch the canvas right away; use another object to lightly touch it to see whether it's dry. Decoupage is the art of adhering fabric or paper pieces to a surface as a form of decoration. I like to attach the collage elements first with glue dots, double-sided tape, or some paper glue and then use gel medium for sealing. They are ideal if you want to extend your design over the edges. Apply the next piece, usually somewhat overlapping the first or in another area, in the same way. Moira Tip #6 – Sealing. A Bright Spot on a Winter Day by Holly Christine Moody . I am almost done what I need to do and the wedding in a little less than 2 weeks so I need to know how to seal them really well to prevent damage from their beverages. It’s just going to. In this instructable, I'll show you how to make your own paper collage. Using construction paper, tear or cut your paper in strips or shapes as desired. after Mod Podge, you might see some wrinkling/bubbling again....let 24-hrs pass for each coat you put on your piece....I find that to be the mosst successful experience - having the piece dry-dry-dry between coats.....smiles, joAnne Then swipe off the paint to reveal the collage designs below. 23 months ago Tear the paper for a vintage look instead. Waterbased things are obviously the easiest to use and are nontoxic, important if you have children or pets where you create. Flickr logo. I do not like Mod Podge, can not remember why but Liquitex gave a better result. Allow this to dry for 15 – 20 minutes and THEN go back and Mod Podge over it to seal. At that stage, I attach the elements only partly, and they get glued when I am sealing … Resin: Another suggestion would be to pour resin over the finished mixed media piece to help seal all the various elements together under a sturdy, protective coating. But isn't paper fun??? Mount the paper, gluing one by one with a glue stick, directly onto the wooden panel to create your paper collage. Be sure you use some in other areas as well. The thicker canvases are a sheet of canvas stretched over a wooden frame. There are two main types of canvas: the thin type and the thick type. (permalink), Just wanted to note re: Charles Chadwick's advice to do a final seal of collage with gesso, that he means "clear gesso," not the more common gesso, which dries opaque white. I have found that working with smaller pieces makes them more manageable. how many of you have made photo collages? Step 1 What can I use to seal a paper collage & give it a nice glossy finish? If the pieces are flatly glued all the way to the edges they will varnish ok. "I never worry about my finished piece being a bit lumpy and textural and I encourage you not to worry about this either. I only applied the wet varnish to the top of the papers. I was gluing paper to a hard clay board panel. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. ages ago Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 86,960 times. (permalink), try the heavy dutie prit stick it works for me then roller it and use your fingers to finnish the edges ect Sometimes frustrating wrinkles develop. Paper collage is a technique of an art production where the artwork is created using an assemblage of different forms and shapes using paper. 104 months ago By using our site, you agree to our. UV protective varnishes will also protect the paper from light. If you're using lightweight enough paper that it ripples from the water content of the glue you might try using 3M's gluesticks - they are lower in water content so your paper will stay flatter. 100 months ago 46 months ago In some instances, you may even use a couple of different kinds of glue for a single collage. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Adhere-Paper-to-Canvas-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Adhere-Paper-to-Canvas-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Adhere-Paper-to-Canvas-Step-1.jpg\/aid9075396-v4-728px-Adhere-Paper-to-Canvas-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"