How to Decoupage Scrapbook Paper Without Wrinkles or Bubbles

Have you ever tried to decoupage with scrapbook paper and ended up with wrinkles, bubbles, or edges that just wouldn’t stay down?

Most scrapbook paper is too thick, and that’s what causes the problems.

In today’s project, I’m turning this patterned scrapbook paper into a beautiful wooden sign and I’m showing a technique that makes thick paper behave like thin tissue paper… without all the frustration.

You’ll find the full step-by-step inside the video tutorial linked below, but here’s a quick peek at what I’m doing!

1. Scrapbook paper
2. Printer (laser or inkjet + hairspray)
3. Tape
4. Mod Podge
5. Sponge + water
6. Sheet protector
7. Wood board
8. Sanding block

(Full details + technique shown in the video!)

To turn this into a sign, I first sized my scrapbook paper so it would run through my printer.

This lets me add the quote directly onto the patterned paper — and YES, this works on both laser and inkjet (with a little trick I explain in the video).

Here’s where the magic happens.

Scrapbook paper is too thick to lay flat, so I use a simple household item to thin it down. This is the step that completely stops wrinkles and bubbles.

Instead of fighting with dry paper and sticky fingers, I use a water technique that relaxes the fibers and lets the paper glide exactly where I want it. It’s fast, easy, and feels a little like magic when you see how flat it dries.

The video shows exactly how wet the paper should be and the timing to get it perfect.

Once the paper is ready, it goes onto a layer of Mod Podge and smooths out beautifully.

The trick here is not what you think I don’t touch the wet paper at all.

Instead, I use something inexpensive that helps the design transfer perfectly.

Again, demo shown clearly in the video.

A light coat of Mod Podge on top seals everything.

Once dry, I sand the edges to get a crisp, clean finish. Watch the full step-by-step video here: