How to Decoupage Paper Without ANY Wrinkles!

If you love upcycling thrift store finds and want to try a decoupage technique that gives a smooth, wrinkle-free finish, the iron-on method is a game-changer. Unlike traditional wet glue decoupage, this technique allows you to reposition your design and reduces the risk of tearing delicate paper such rice paper. Today, we’re using it to create a charming “Family” sign that makes a perfect home décor piece or gift.

Some days, creativity flows freely. Other days, it’s like staring into the fridge, hoping inspiration will appear between the wilted lettuce and half-empty ketchup bottle. Lately, my creative spark has been on an unplanned sabbatical.

But just when I thought my craft mojo was gone, I spotted a thrift store “Family” sign amongst my stash that was bland and begging for a makeover. And really, what better word to focus on when you’re stuck in a creative rut? Family is the backbone that sees you through the worst of times; the people who remind you who you are when the world feels like it’s upside down. If any project was going to pull me out of this creative slump, it had to be this one. So, armed with colourful rice paper and the iron-on decoupage method, I set out to bring this sad little sign back to life – and maybe breathe some life back into my creativity while I was at it.

By the way, if you’ve never decoupaged before, this is a great beginner project that will get you professional results on your very first try!

[If you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered (disclosure): The blue links in this post may be affiliate links. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases which we proudly donate to Alzheimer’s research. But don’t worry, you don’t pay a cent more! Thanks for helping to support our fundraiser!]

1. Wooden sign spelling “Family” (or any word of your choice) – ours is thrifted
2. White chalk paint or acrylic paint
3. Rice paper with a design or colour that complements your décor
4. Decoupage glue (such as Mod Podge or a similar adhesive like a satin clear coat)
5. Small paintbrush or sponge brush
6. Parchment paper (we use unbleached)
7. A household or travel iron (set to low, no steam)
8. Sandpaper (optional, for distressing)
9. Rotary blade to trim rice paper borders
10. X-acto knife
11. Metal safety Ruler
12. Self healing cutting mat
13. Clear sealer (matte or glossy, depending on your preference) – Spray is preferable

Rice paper is thin but strong, making it ideal for decoupage projects. But this method will work well with many types of paper.

The iron-on technique offers several benefits:

1. No Wrinkles or Bubbles – the dry application keeps the paper smooth.
2. Easier Placement – you can move the design before committing.
3. Great for Large Surfaces – works well on signs, furniture, and trays.

This family sign is two tone so we definitely need to even out the base colour.

Start by painting your wooden sign with a base coat of white or a light colour. This helps the rice paper design stand out. Let the paint dry completely.

Just with the coat of white paint, it looks better already!

Now, brush a thin, even layer of decoupage glue onto the sign (I’m using a matte clear coat). Be sure to cover the entire surface where the rice paper will go. Let it dry completely; this is key to the iron-on method working properly. Give it a second coat and again let it dry (we left it overnight).

I love how bright and cheerful this paper is! If your rice paper has a white boarder, start by trimming it off. For perfectly straight edges, use a rotary cutter with a self healing mat. Of course, if you prefer, you can cut it with scissors instead.

Figure out how you want to position the pattern on the sign. I find it helpful to lay it underneath to visualize the placement.

But then, I add it on top of the dried glue and crease along the edges. Since the glue is dry, you can move the paper until you’re happy with the placement.

This antique iron acts as a weight to prevent the paper from shifting before it’s ironed down.

Along with the thrifted family sign, I also found a small travel iron at the thrift store for only $3. Perfect for crafting!

One caveat to keep in mind: do not use the steam function! Remove any water, if there happens to be some, in the iron. You don’t want to introduce any moisture.

Place a piece of parchment paper over the rice paper (I prefer unbleached).

Using a dry iron (no steam) on a low setting, gently press down and move in slow circular motions. The heat reactivates the glue, adhering the rice paper smoothly to the wood sign. Work from the centre outward to avoid trapped air.

When it’s all glued down, you can trim off the excess.

For any rice paper that extends beyond the edges of the sign, you can either trim it with a fresh sharp blade or use sandpaper to lightly remove the excess.

To trim the interior, cut into the middle of the cut-outs of the letters and run the blade into the corners.

You’ll be able to crease the paper.

Then, I flipped the sign over with the front facing down and ran the blade along the edges.

You might find it impossible to get into curves on the back, like I have on these letters. So, in that case, it’s best to run the blade carefully along the front – just in that area – so you can get into the tight space better to completely cut away the paper.

If you prefer to sand, sanding downward prevents tearing and gives a cleaner finish. For a vintage look, feel free to lightly distress the edges of the sign. However, I find that sanding can leave a fuzzy edge and kick up dust that you don't want in your final clear coat.

To protect your design, apply a clear sealer over the entire surface. There are no pictures of this step because I prefer to spray the sealer and it's too cold outside, but brushing is fine too. Only apply a very light coat to avoid bubbling the paper. A matte finish gives a soft, natural look, while a glossy sealer adds shine. Let it dry thoroughly.

If you do happen to get bubbles after sealing, you can always iron again using the parchment paper to reactivate the glue.

The iron-on decoupage method is the easiest way to get a professional finish without wrinkles or bubbles. Now that I’ve tried it, there’s probably is no reason to go back to a ‘wet’ method like we used for this decoupage on wood project.

No matter what you’re making, be it a “Family” sign or another decorative piece, this iron on technique gives you the ultimate control over your design while keeping the process stress-free!

Is it any wonder why I love this decoupage paper so much? The sign just happens to fit perfectly on our hand painted cabinet, so that’s where it will likely stay (see how to hand paint furniture designs).

I wish I had known about this wrinkle free iron on method back when we did this medicine cabinet DIY. Have you tried this decoupage method? Let us know in the comments!

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