I started using Mod Podge years ago when I was first starting out with scrapbooking. I wanted to make layered greeting cards but had trouble stiffening the pieces that I wanted layered. I was using foam core under the pieces but that made the layered pieces stick too far up and away from the card. Someone suggested using Mod Podge to coat the pieces so they would retain their shape and could be curled or folded into place. It wasn't hard to work with but there are limitations to what it can be used for. It was trial and error when I started using it on colored card stock and vellum but it became one of my favorite ways to coat and stiffen paper. There are a couple of different versions of Mod Podge that you can get. Some of them are going to work better for sealing and some are going to work better for stiffening. Before they made the glow in the dark version I had to add glow in the dark t-shirt paint with the original Mod Podge. You can still do that with the basic version of the product but it is a lot easier to buy the specialty version if you need it for a Halloween ghost or decorations. Regardless of whether you are using this for decoupage or scrapbooking, there are so many uses for this and it is non-toxic so it is something that younger kids can use if they love crafting. It can be a little messier than paint pens or glue sticks but with a little parental supervision kids can do a lot of creative things with this.

AlexFortune

Undisclosed

I love this stuff! This 1960's staple for hideous creativity has become my new best friend! I used to laugh when my mother or her friends would talk about it reverentially, but now I get it. It's an easy-to-use, won't-poison-the-kids craft staple. It goes on smoothly, is self-leveling and is non-toxic. The consistency is somewhat like honey, so it is easy to work with. While it is not waterproof, it does provide some level of protection to photos and other decoupaged objects. If you do spill on it, a quick wipe with a dry cloth will save your surface. My new favorite application using it is those inexpensive photo boxes. You can customize them with the fabric or paper of your choice using Mod Podge and end up with a smooth, even surface. What's not to love? It's lovely that it comes in different formulas for different applications now, too. Of course, I'm sure my kids will be laughing at me sometime in the future at the mere mention of Mod Podge.

jenniee

Santa Fe, NM

I have used Classic Mod Podge on several projects over the past 6 months, using very thick paper or cardstock with no problems.  Last week, I tried the Paper Mod Podge along side the Classic on a craft using thinner scrapbooking paper.  I used them to apply the paper to paperboard shapes.  I found that the Paper version works so much better when applying thin paper to an item.  The Classic Mod Podge caused thin paper to wrinkle terribly - both when adhering it and coating it.  It did smooth out quite a bit after it had dried over night, but it still had wrinkles.  However, the Paper version did not wrinkle the thin paper at all.  The paper stayed very smooth when adhering and coating it with the Paper Mod Podge.  I used the matte version of both versions.  The end finish is the same on both but the paper looks PERFECT with the Paper version.  In addition, this formula is acid free and is specifically designed to prevent yellowing.  It does cost more, but I will certainly pay the extra when I'm using thin paper for a decoupage project.

sahmcolorado

Windsor, CO