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One of my favourite ways to decorate Resincrete is with decoupage.
I love how you can take a simple, plain trinket dish and completely transform it with a beautiful piece of patterned paper or a decorative napkin.
From flowers and animals to Christmas designs and more unusual patterns, there are so many possibilities.
At Curious Cast Studio, I regularly use decoupage to decorate my handmade Resincrete trinket dishes and ornaments.
It's a technique I really enjoy, although I've discovered that some designs are much easier to work with than others!
If you've never tried decoupage before, this beginner-friendly guide will take you through the process I use, the materials you'll need and some of the things I've learned along the way.
What Is Decoupage?
Decoupage is a decorative technique that involves attaching paper or fabric designs to a surface using a suitable adhesive and finishing the piece with protective coats.
It can be used on all sorts of objects, including wooden boxes, furniture, ornaments and handmade trinket dishes.
For my Resincrete pieces, I often use decorative paper napkins.
They come in an enormous variety of patterns and designs, making it relatively inexpensive to experiment with different styles.
Once applied carefully, the thin paper can blend beautifully into the surface of the dish.
Decoupage is just one way to personalise your handmade pieces. If you'd also like to experiment with pigments and marbled effects, my guide to colouring Resincrete shares the techniques I've tried myself.
However, there are a few things worth knowing before you start, particularly when working with curved or raised surfaces.
What Do You Need to Decoupage Resincrete?
You don't need lots of specialist equipment.
Here are the main things I use.
1. A Resincrete Trinket Dish
First, you'll need a finished Resincrete casting.
I use a variety of silicone moulds to make my dishes, including oval and small heart-shaped designs.
If you're wondering which moulds are worth buying, my guide to silicone moulds for Resincrete shares my experiences with cheaper moulds and what to look out for.
These are two shapes I use regularly at Curious Cast Studio.
If you're making your own dishes, you might find these moulds useful:
- Oval Silicone Mould Set, Pack of Two (affiliate link)
- Small Heart Trinket Dish Mould (affiliate link)
For beginners, I think a relatively simple, shallow dish is a good place to start.
2. Decorative Napkins or Decoupage Paper
This is where the fun begins!
There are so many beautiful napkin designs available, from delicate florals and botanical patterns to animals, seasonal illustrations and quirky characters.
I often choose a design depending on the shape and size of the dish I'm decorating.
Some patterns are much easier to work with than others, especially when you're trying to fit them around curved edges.
3. Mod Podge
Mod Podge is the adhesive I use to attach my decoupage designs.
It helps the paper adhere to the surface and can also be used to build up protective coats over the finished decoration.
One thing I've learned is that you don't need to apply enormous amounts.
In fact, too much can cause more problems than it solves!
View the Mod Podge I Use on Amazon
4. A Suitable Sealer
Before applying decoupage, I seal my Resincrete pieces using JDiction gloss sealer.
I allow this to dry before moving on to the decorating stage.
View JDiction Gloss Sealer on Amazon (affiliate link)
This is the method I've developed for my own pieces, although it's important to check that your chosen sealer and adhesive are compatible.
5. Scissors and Application Tools
You'll also need a pair of small, sharp scissors for cutting out your designs.
A suitable soft brush is useful for applying Mod Podge.
The most important thing is being gentle with the paper, particularly once it becomes wet.
How to Decoupage a Resincrete Trinket Dish: Step by Step
Here's the process I use when decorating my handmade trinket dishes.
Step 1: Prepare Your Resincrete Dish
First, make sure your Resincrete piece is ready to decorate.
If you're new to making Resincrete pieces, my Resincrete for beginners guide covers the materials, mixing and casting basics you'll need to get started.
I generally remove my pieces from their silicone moulds after approximately 30 minutes.
If I have time, I might start decorating shortly afterwards. Other times, the pieces are left overnight or until I have another opportunity to work on them.
Before starting, I check the dish for any rough edges or imperfections.
If necessary, I'll do a little sanding and remove any dust.
If your finished piece needs a little extra preparation, my guide to sanding and sealing Resincrete explains how I smooth rough edges and protect my handmade creations.
The surface should be clean and suitable for the products you're going to apply.
Step 2: Seal the Resincrete
My next step is to apply JDiction gloss sealer.
This is part of my usual preparation process before applying decoupage.
Once the sealer has been applied, I leave it to dry before continuing.
It's important to follow your sealer's instructions and make sure the surface is ready for the adhesive.
Step 3: Prepare Your Decoupage Design
This step depends entirely on the design you've chosen and the shape of your trinket dish.
If you're using a decorative paper napkin, you'll usually find it has multiple layers.
For a typical three-ply napkin, I remove the two plain backing layers, leaving just the thin printed layer.
I find it easier to cut out my design before separating the layers, because the paper becomes incredibly delicate once the backing has been removed.
You can use the whole pattern or cut out individual elements, depending on the look you're trying to achieve.
For example, you might want a single flower in the centre of a dish, or a larger design that covers most of its surface.
Step 4: Apply a Thin Layer of Mod Podge
Once the design is ready, I apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the area of the dish where the paper will sit.
I prefer to let it become slightly tacky before carefully positioning my design.
This is the technique I've found works for me, although other decoupage methods involve applying the paper while the adhesive is still wet.
The important thing is not to overload the surface with glue.
Thin applications give you more control and help reduce problems with excess moisture.
Step 5: Position Your Design Carefully
This is probably the part where you need the most patience!
Once the paper is positioned, I generally start in the centre of the design and work gently outwards.
I like to work around the design in a clockwise direction, carefully smoothing it towards the edges.
This helps me settle the paper onto the surface without pushing everything into one area.
However, you need to be very gentle.
Decorative napkins are incredibly thin, and once they've absorbed moisture, they're easy to tear.
If you're too heavy-handed or keep moving the paper around, you can quickly end up with wrinkles, creases or holes.
Step 6: Allow the Paper to Dry
Once I'm happy with the positioning, I allow the decoration to dry before continuing.
This is really important.
I've learned that trying to do too much while the paper is still damp can cause problems.
You might think you're smoothing out a tiny wrinkle, only to discover you've torn the paper instead!
Sometimes it's better to leave a small imperfection alone rather than risk damaging the entire design.
Step 7: Apply Protective Coats
Once the initial decoration has dried, I gradually build up protective coats of Mod Podge.
I prefer applying thin coats rather than one thick layer.
Thick applications can soak the paper, make wrinkles more noticeable or even cause delicate areas to lift and tear.
I generally use at least three coats, allowing each one to dry properly before applying the next.
The aim is to protect the paper and create an even finish without damaging the decoration underneath.
Why Are Curved Trinket Dishes Difficult to Decoupage?
This is something I've discovered through plenty of experimenting!
Applying paper to a flat surface is generally much easier than trying to work it around a curved bowl-shaped dish.
Paper doesn't naturally stretch around curves.
As you try to smooth it into place, you can end up with folds, creases or small wrinkles.
This becomes especially noticeable when you're working with a large design.
My Experience with a Christmas Santa Dish
Recently, I was decorating a small heart-shaped trinket dish using a fairly large Santa design.
I'd cut out the Santa, but fitting him into the small dish meant working the paper around its shape.
That particular attempt actually went reasonably well, but it reminded me how much the size of your design matters.
Trying to fit one large picture into a shallow dish is very different from positioning a small flower or individual decorative elements.
And the deeper or more curved your dish, the more challenging it can become.
Why Smaller Designs Can Be Easier
If you're just starting out, I'd recommend experimenting with smaller decorative elements.
For example, you might find it easier to cut out individual flowers, leaves or characters rather than trying to cover the entire dish with one large piece of paper.
Smaller designs give you more freedom to position the pieces without forcing the paper around too many curves.
I've also found that using smaller sections or carefully torn edges can help designs blend into a surface more naturally.
However, be careful when overlapping thin napkin paper.
Overlapping areas can become darker or thicker, making the joins more noticeable.
It's worth planning your layout before applying any glue.
How to Avoid Wrinkles and Tears When Decoupaging
Wrinkles and tears are probably two of the most frustrating problems when working with thin decorative napkins.
Here are a few things I've learned from experience.
Don't Use Too Much Mod Podge
Applying too much adhesive can saturate the paper.
Once the napkin becomes overly wet, it can stretch, wrinkle or tear very easily.
I prefer working with thin coats and building up the finish gradually.
Start in the Centre
When positioning a design, I generally start in the centre and gently work towards the edges.
This helps me smooth the paper into place rather than trapping all the excess material in one area.
Be Careful Around Raised Edges
Curved or raised edges can be particularly awkward.
Trying to force a large design around a shaped edge can create wrinkles or folds.
Sometimes adjusting the size of the design or using smaller sections is a better solution.
Don't Keep Touching Wet Paper
This is something I've learned the hard way.
Once the paper is damp, repeatedly touching or moving it can cause damage.
If something doesn't look quite perfect, sometimes leaving it to dry is the better option.
Allow Each Coat to Dry
It's tempting to rush through the finishing process, especially when you're excited to see the finished piece.
But applying another coat before the previous one has dried properly can cause problems.
Patience really does make a difference with decoupage.
Can You Seal Decoupage with UV Resin?
Yes, a compatible UV resin can be used as a finishing layer over some decorated pieces, provided the underlying materials are fully dry and suitable for resin coating.
For some of my Curious Cast Studio trinket dishes, I like to finish the decoration with clear JDiction UV resin.
View JDiction UV Resin on Amazon (affiliate link)
This gives the surface a beautiful glossy appearance and helps protect the decoration underneath.
However, I don't use UV resin on every piece.
Sometimes I'm happy with the finish I've achieved using Mod Podge and my other sealing products.
If you're planning to use UV resin, it's important to make sure all the layers beneath it are completely dry, test that the products are compatible and follow the resin manufacturer's safety and curing instructions.
UV resin requires an appropriate UV curing light and suitable protective precautions.
It's an additional finishing option rather than an essential part of decoupage.
Does Every Decoupage Trinket Dish Turn Out Perfectly?
Certainly not!
Even after working with decoupage for some time, I still come across designs that are more difficult than I expected.
Sometimes the paper doesn't sit quite how I imagined.
Sometimes an awkward curve creates a wrinkle.
And sometimes a design that looked perfect before cutting it out simply isn't the right size or shape for the dish.
I've learned that there's no point trying to force every design to work.
A little planning, patience and willingness to experiment can save a lot of frustration.
It's also worth remembering that handmade pieces aren't mass-produced.
Part of their charm is that each one has been individually created and decorated.
My Advice for Beginners
If you've never tried decoupage before, I'd recommend starting with a simple trinket dish and a relatively small design.
You don't need to cover the whole surface immediately.
Try positioning a few individual flowers or decorative elements and become familiar with how the paper behaves.
Once you're comfortable, you can experiment with larger designs and more complicated shapes.
And don't be afraid to make mistakes!
Some of the things I've learned about decoupage have come from discovering what doesn't work particularly well.
Final Thoughts
Decoupage is one of my favourite ways to transform a simple Resincrete casting into something completely different.
I love that the same trinket dish mould can produce so many different designs, just by changing the decorative paper.
From soft floral patterns to colourful animals and Christmas characters, there's always something new to experiment with.
I've learned that thin coats, gentle handling and allowing enough drying time make a real difference.
And perhaps most importantly, choosing a design that suits the shape of your dish can save you an enormous amount of frustration.
If there's one thing I'd recommend to anyone trying decoupage for the first time, it's this:
Start with a simple design, use a light touch and don't rush the drying process.
Happy crafting!
Curious Cast Studio
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