Decoupage primer: types, properties, application features

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:47

Arts and crafts is a field of activity in which an important role is given to materials: varnishes, paints and primers. One of the most interesting popular areas where the use of these compositions is required is decoupage. With the help of this technique, various household items are made, ranging from dishes to furniture. How the decorated product will look like in the end and how long this painstaking process will take will depend on the quality of the work surface. For this purpose, shops for creativity offer special primers for decoupage from different manufacturers. Let's review the most popular ones, and also consider how you can cook these yourself.

Decoupage in brief

Decoupage is a kind of applied art, which uses the technique of gluing cut out illustrations, patterns, compositions and other elements. At the last stage, suchworks are varnished. The name of this art form in French means "cut". The process of decorating itself is to give naturalness to fragmented images. The thinnest layer is removed from the paper cutout, which is glued to the object, due to which a certain depth is created and the picture looks like it was painted.

As with any DIY work, you need a well-prepared base to create a truly aesthetic product. To properly treat the surface, you cannot do without high-quality decoupage primer.

The role of the soil

Soil greatly simplifies the process of work and performs a number of necessary functions. First of all, it has high adhesive properties, due to which it adheres well to the surface. It also provides reliable bonding during subsequent paint application. If the base is non-absorbent, then this ability of the composition is simply necessary (for example, ceramics, metal, glass, plastic).

What else is the primer used for? Let's highlight its main advantages:

• composition levels the work surface;
• significantly saves paint volume;
• whitens the base for decoration.

Types of compositions

When it comes to decoupage, not only artistic compositions, but also building paints, in particular acrylic, act as a primer. Of course, special primers are convenient to use. But sometimes the needlewomen themselves prefer to choose the usual construction tools. For example, the paint forms a porous layer that is perfectly skinned. In the process of grinding, it is scraped off in the form of fine dust, the surface becomes perfectly smooth.

It is believed that professional products have better adhesion. How can a novice master understand the types of compositions? Paints and primers for decoupage are distinguished by several criteria.

Firstly, they are divided according to their production purpose: art and construction. Secondly, by the type of surfaces used for decoupage. They are both permeable and non-absorbent.

Characteristics and properties of a quality product

Not always lovers of creativity buy primers for decoupage in art stores. Acrylic paints are often used for such purposes, which are available at any construction site. After all, it is important not what will be taken as a basis, but what will be the final result. The decoupage primer must meet the following criteria:

• Quality composition has a homogeneous consistency, it should not contain lumps and clots. Otherwise, you will have to spend a significant part of the time sanding the product. This is a process in which streaks, gaps and all the characteristic features of the object that serves as the basis for decoupage are eliminated. For example, if you want to create an imitation of stone or porcelain on a wooden surface, then you need to completely change its texture.
• The following properties, onthat you should pay attention to is ductility and density. The choice of soil according to these criteria depends on the master himself. Some of them like to work with thick compositions, as they allow better coverage. If necessary, they can be diluted with water.
• It is also important how strong the smell of the product is. After all, it will take a long time to work with it, and caustic and aggressive compounds adversely affect he alth. If you focus on this factor, then it is better to choose an acrylic primer for decoupage.

Building compounds can be used to decorate rough foundations. If you need to work with a more elastic surface, then it is better to use an artistic tool, it will protect things from cracking in the bend area. But this is more about items with utilitarian functions.

Features of the use of compositions depending on the types of surfaces

All materials used as the basis for finishing can be divided according to the degree of permeability. This is the determining factor, so it’s hard to say right away which primer for decoupage will be better. The composition falls evenly on absorbent materials, penetrates inside. For these, ordinary universal means are suitable. It is rather problematic to work with smooth bases, so it is better to choose compositions from an assortment of artistic primers. In this case, a more professional approach will be needed.

In fact, any surface is subject to decoration. Experienced needlewomen manage to makedecoupage even on wax candles. First you need to choose an item for decoration and determine its belonging, that is, what type of material it belongs to. Surfaces available for primer penetration include:

• natural leather;
• MDF;
• tree;
• unglazed ceramics;
• textile:
• cardboard.

The group of non-absorbent materials includes:

• plastic;
• glass;
• metal;
• polymer clay;
• shells, stone;
• glazed pottery.

The incompatibility of the base with the ground often leads to deformation of the scenery. Sometimes beginners in this type of creativity try to create products from improvised materials. Initially, such items may look good. But in the future, under the influence of external factors, the decoupage napkin may form folds, and the seemingly well-dried composition will begin to peel off.

Let's consider which compositions correspond to which type of material used.

Compositions for permeable surfaces

In this case, the main task of the composition is to create a more even surface, fill all kinds of pores and depressions with the first application for convenient and economical work with subsequent layers. For the preparation of absorbent bases, both special formulations and building ones are suitable.

From the first, you can use the primer "Levkas". It is designed for cardboard and wood, copes well with porosity and unevenness, eliminates smalldefects. Its advantage is that it does not saturate the surface with moisture and cardboard products retain their original appearance.

Also suitable composition "Sonnet" or paint "Snowball Eco". The first is a budget option, has an elastic texture and has high adhesion.

The primer from the Russian company "Nevskaya Palitra" is suitable for decorating cardboard and canvas before applying gouache, acrylic and oil paints. It forms a matte elastic film with a high degree of adhesion. To work with this composition, it is recommended to use rollers, spatulas and synthetic brushes. The only negative is that the tool is problematic to grind, it is overwritten for a very long time.

In contrast to this composition, "Snowball Eco" skins quite easily. The paint is hypoallergenic and does not curl when applied, resulting in a more even coat.

For the design of textiles, leather and ceramics, you need to choose more elastic primers. Layers should be applied thin and wait until the product dries completely. Textiles and leather cannot be decorated with acrylic paints, it is better to use water-based options.

Compositions for smooth materials

For such foundations, artistic means are most often used, less often construction ones. In this case, the primer is expected to have high-quality adhesion of the treated base with acrylic paint. These funds include:

• aerosol soils:
• artistic compositions;
• building enamels and primers;
• paint.

To decorate metal and glass, decoupage primer is used exclusively special. For the first, you can use the tool GF-021. This is a universal composition, it has shown itself well in working with metal due to its high binding properties. It is best to use anti-corrosion agents for this material. Building compounds designed for metal processing can be purchased at a special store.

Special formulations for glass surfaces are not commercially available. How to replace the primer for decoupage? Instead, glue-based varnishes are usually used. It is better to choose these products from German manufacturers.

Quality adhesion is provided by artistic acrylic-based liquid formulations. They are very popular with needlewomen.

How to make your own remedy

DIY decoupage primer is quite easy to make. For the production of the composition, you will need PVA glue and acrylic paint. However, there is one nuance in preparing the soil yourself, but it is also a plus: you will need to prepare two compositions with different proportionality of the components. For the first, two funds are taken in equal amounts, thoroughly mixed. This composition is used to apply the first layer. For the manufacture of the second type of soil, you need to take three parts of paint and one glue. They cover the surface then a few more times.

Bottle decoration

Glass jarsor bottles with conventional paints and primers should not be processed. Over time, the layer will begin to crack and will move away from the surface. Most often, an integrated approach is used to finish such products.

First, the base is degreased with alcohol or solvent. Then spray paint is applied. It is transparent or colored. The last layer for saturation of tone is already covered with acrylic paint - this way you can save varnish.

A transparent composition intended for car repair can also become a primer for decoupage of bottles. If varnish glue is used, then two layers must be applied - this is how the paint lays down better.

Conclusion

If you use primers for decoupage in accordance with the recommendations of knowledgeable craftsmen, then any decorated products will have an aesthetic appearance and become a real decoration of your interior. Do not forget that the durability and quality of such things directly depends on the competent preparation of the base.