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How to Make a Decoupage Greeting Card

Updated on February 21, 2013

How to Make a Decoupage / Paper Tole Greeting Card

Illustrated step by step instructions showing how to make a 3D decoupage greeting card.

Decoupage greeting (or paper tole) cards are cards which have layered elements built up to give the card a three dimensional effect. Depending on the picture you choose, these projects can have a difficulty level ranging from easy to quite tricky.

3D decoupage cards can be suitable for any occasion - birthday cards, wedding cards, Christmas cards, get well cards, new baby cards - you name it!

To make a layered decoupage card, you will need a repeating picture. My first decoupage cards were made from wrapping paper pictures. Now I print my own pictures at home using photo paper on my own printer. But you can also buy pre-printed decoupage kits.

For this project, I am using a printable card which I bought from craftsUprint. They have thousands of printable cards to choose from.

Collect your Supplies

printed decoupage card
printed decoupage card

You will need:

  • decoupage pictures
  • scissors
  • card
  • silicone glue or sticky pads (use the acid-free type)

Optional supplies:

  • craft knife (necessary for cutting out fiddly bits in the middle of your design)
  • self-healing mat
  • metal edge ruler (if your design has straight edges)
  • extra decorating supplies

Cut Out the Decoupage Card Elements

cutting out the elements for the decoupage card
cutting out the elements for the decoupage card

First you will need to cut out your card pictures. You can use scissors for this or a craft knife, ruler, and craft mat. For normal cutting I like to use scissors. For straight edges I like to use a transparent ruler. That way I can see exactly where to line up my ruler before cutting. I place the ruler over the top of the picture so that if my knife slips, I don't cut into the picture.

I like to use a craft knife for any fiddly bits. I have found it much easier to cut out any small holes in the design before cutting out the bigger part. This gives you more to grip onto as you cut out these little bits and will help avoid ripping the element.

cut out any fiddly parts first
cut out any fiddly parts first

Cutting out your decoupage card elements

Which do you prefer use for cutting out the card pieces?

See results
Cut Out Decoupage Card Elements
Cut Out Decoupage Card Elements

I like to cut out all the elements first. Just be careful not to lose any small parts!

Assembling the Card

Assembling the Card
Assembling the Card

Some people like to darken the edges of the cut out pieces so that the cut white edges are not so visible. To do this you can use a dark felt tip pen (being careful not to let the ink soak into the card / paper). If I do this step, I prefer to use a soft (6B) pencil. Usually I don't bother with this step though.

Now you will stick each layer onto your card in the correct order. I like to use sticky pads (because that's what I'm used to!) but you could also use blobs of silicone glue.

Building up the layers on your decoupage card

Do you prefer use sticky pads or silicone glue?

building up the layers in your decoupage card
building up the layers in your decoupage card

When building your layers for your 3D card, you can either start from the top and work down, or start from the bottom and work up. It's your choice. On this card I am starting from the bottom and building up. You could stick your bottom element to your folded card first if you wish.

side view of my completed layers

completed layers in a decoupage card
completed layers in a decoupage card

Completing the 3d Decoupage Card

Completing the 3d Decoupage Card
Completing the 3d Decoupage Card

Stick the 3d decoupage to the front of your folded card and decorate with any extra things such as ribbon, raffia, bows, lace, buttons, beads, glitter.

Use your imagination to decorate the card

  

This card has been further decorated with pearls, ribbon, and glitter.

This card (which is actually a slightly different

color) has been arranged on the backing card

in a different layout.

working

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