Using Mod Podge and pattern paper to design cardboard magazine holders.
I decided to customize and decorate a couple cardboard magazine holders using decoupage and pattern paper. While I struggled with the first attempt, the finished customized holders looked pretty good.
The Initial Idea
I got a seven pack of cardboard magazine holders for the purpose of organizing my cardstock and vinyl rolls. I saw many unique designs online but opted for a plain look as an excuse to decorate them.
Last year after I completed work on a Customized Portable Table, I decided to customize the first cardboard magazine holder using Mod Podge and pattern paper. I struggled with it and didn't touch another magazine holder alone until months later.
Magazine Holder #1
The pack of cardboard magazine holders didn't come with assembly instructions. I didn't think I needed it until I struggled assembling this first one. I eventually figured it out, though.
I used three sheets from my Orion's Belt Hot Buy paper pack to customize this holder. I placed a side of the holder on a sheet and traced the edges with a pencil. I cut along the pencil marks with scissors.
While this process worked for cutting the right shapes for the holders, I preferred the way I cut the shapes for the next magazine holder you'll read about later in this blog post.
I applied Mod Podge, a decoupage glue, over a side of the holder and carefully placed a cut sheet over it. I used a scraping tool to burnish the sheet onto the cardboard surface.
I thought the steps I took were straight forward, but I struggled to keep the sheet adhered to the cardboard surface. The edges kept lifting, even when I applied blobs of Mod Podge. I felt I used more Mod Podge than needed and got frustrated after a while.
I also couldn't smooth out bubbles, air pockets, and creases. Burnishing typically helps to apply enough pressure for stronger adhesion and smooth out imperfections. In this case, it didn't seem to help much at all.
I stopped recording video because I thought I couldn't upload it to YouTube, but I kept at it until I completed the customization. I applied a coat of matte Mod Podge to protect the customized holder.
The struggle I experienced discouraged me from trying this same project again using Mod Podge and pattern paper. I forgot about the holders for months until I thought about trying this again with thinner pattern paper.
Magazine Holder #2
I struggled with assembling the second cardboard magazine holder again. I eventually figured it out, again.
I used three sheets from my Treat Yourself paper pack. These sheets were significantly thinner and lighter weight than the Hot Buy paper packs I normally use for paper craft projects.
I applied Mod Podge over a side of the holder and carefully placed an uncut sheet over it. I used a scraping tool to burnish the sheet onto the cardboard surface.
Again, I couldn't avoid bubbles, air pockets, and creases, but they were fewer than the first holder. The thinner paper made it easier to smooth out imperfections and keep the sheet adhered on the cardboard surface.
Instead of scissors, I used a craft knife to cut off the excess sheet from the holder. This method was quicker and easier than tracing the edges with a pencil and cutting along the pencil marks with scissors. This is my preferred way of cutting the shapes for the next magazine holder.
There was one side of the holder that didn't have any bubbles, air pockets, or creases. Unlike the other sides where I burnished after placing the sheet on the cardboard surface, I burnished as I slowly placed a sheet starting from one edge. I wished I knew this was the key to eliminating imperfections sooner.
I applied a coat of glossy Mod Podge to protect the customized holder. Personally, I liked the shine from a glossy finish for many customized crafts I completed.
My Thoughts
Mod Podge and pattern paper to customize and decorate the cardboard magazine holders worked well, especially when I used thinner and lighter weight paper.
When I do this again, I'll use a craft knife to cut off excess sheet of paper from the surface. It's a step less than how I traced and cut the shapes for the first holder.
I wonder if bubbles, air pockets, and creases are inevitable for future decoupage projects. Yet, I think I'll try to burnish as a slowly place a sheet starting at one edge of the surface. Since that was the one side on the second holder that didn't have any imperfections, I don't think it would hurt to try this method again for a future project.
Overall, this was a good way to customize and decorate a couple cardboard magazine holders. I have several more holders to decorate soon. I may try hand painting one for fun.
What's Next?
I've been on an arts and crafts kick recently. I hope to share some of these projects with you soon. Feel free to check out the VIDEOS page to see any projects I shared with YouTube but didn't get to write about in a blog post.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam