In this post, you will learn how to use your inkjet printer to make custom decoupage designs on paper napkins for use on all your decoupage projects.

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Some reflections on the new year.

Hello,

As the year winds down, I always find myself taking a personal assessment. It is a time to reflect and to look forward. The gap between Christmas and the New Year is one of the most contemplative times during the earth’s 365-day tour around the sun. To be clear, I also do a fair bit of navel-gazing around my birthday every year. And while it seems a bit repetitive because I am constantly circling back to the same topics year after year, it still seems important to take stock of where I am, where I have been, and where I want to go.

I can’t approach the new year without giving cursory consideration to all the typical New Year’s resolutions. Of course, I should lose weight, eat better, get more exercise, keep my house cleaner, read more, watch TV less. And I do better some years than others.

But it strikes me that while these objectives are worthwhile, there are much more worthy goals to pursue. I am speaking of the goals that challenge, strengthen and even scare us. The experiences that reward us with meaningful memories. That forge us, change us make us better, happier, bolder. The adventures that surprise us and make us find parts of ourselves that we did know were there.

Do you have big plans for the New Year?

I try to face new challenges and have new experiences. But I am not very good at it. I know I let my fear get in the way. I let the voice in my head tell me, “You can’t do that.”

Still, I have a few accomplishments that I am proud of and experiences I can point to and say, “I was afraid, but I did it,” and I am so grateful that I did. These events that have enriched my life are examples and guideposts to direct me to the next big thing.

Following are a few of the things I regard as significant accomplishments. I guess I should mention before you go clicking these links and feel like you have fallen down a rabbit hole, I have had several blogs over the years but rest assured that all these links are mine.

1) Last month, I attended my first craft show. It was challenging and fun and scary and exciting.

2) Several years ago, I joined a fundraiser called Saint Baldrick’s to raise money for children’s cancer research. There is a big event where all the participants get together to shave their heads. John has done it for years. So every year, I would think I should do it too. And then, one year, I finally did. Remarkably having my head shaved was less stressful than asking people to donate money. Even though it was for a worthy cause, still, I wouldn’t say I liked asking.

3) I also used to be a hiker, and I clocked a few of Colorado’s many 14 ers back in the day. However, the most amazing trek was an 18 hour stretch up and down Longs Peak, which I regard to this day as the most awe-inspiring accomplishment of my life.

So at year’s end, I find myself searching for another “Big experience.” Currently, I am stumped. I have no big dreams other than the hazy goal of growing my blog and youtube channel. But, I know there are plenty of challenges hidden in that one big goal. And I need to dig them out and plow through them one at a time.

I hope that other opportunities will also present themselves throughout 2022 and that I will be bold enough to embrace them.

The rub, of course, is that these challenges that look exciting from a distance can seem quite scary when examined up close. And I often dismiss them out of hand because of my fears. And sadly let the opportunities pass by me. I fear this has only accelerated as I keep tacking on the years, making it all the more important to be vigilant.

That is why when I saw this:

I had to have it.

And then because I like to make upcycled things and I like puns, even bad ones. I decided to make this custom design with my inkjet printer and paper napkins. I call it my yes you can Can. Which I realize is terribly obvious.

Anyhow, I have decided that is my motto for 2022. I know there are things that I can not do, but I also know that I can do a lot more than I think I can. And you can too! Let’s make 2022 a year to remember, shall we?

Read on if you want to know how to make your own custom printed napkins for decoupage.

Step 1 – Gather Supplies

• Iron
• Paper Napkins
• Tape
• Scissors
• Printer
• Printer Paper
• Ruler
• Pen

Additional items for projects

• Something to decoupage
• Mod podge or other glue
• Paint Brush

Advertising Disclosure: Upcycle Design Lab may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services or your clicking on links posted on this website.

Step 2 – Iron Napkins

I used my iron on the hottest setting and worked from both sides to remove the folded creases from the paper napkins. Since I used solid white napkins, I ironed all the layers at one time.

Step 3 – Mark Napkins

The next step is to use a ruler and pen to draw a rectangle about 3/4 of an inch smaller than a standard 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of printer paper.

Step 4 – Cut Napkin

Once the napkin was marked, I used my paper cutting scissors to remove the excess pieces of the napkin.

Step 5 – Attach napkin to printer paper.

This step can be tricky as you want to secure the entire top edge of the napkin to the paper and tape the sides and bottom, keeping the napkin smooth and flat.

Step 6 – Print

Place the napkin and paper sheet in the printer and print out your desired art. I did experience a few paper jams in my printer with this technique, so proceed with caution.

Step 7 – Apply

I am not very experienced at decoupage, but I swear by Mod Podge. Of course, they are not paying me to say that, but I really think they should.🙂

You can watch my Mod Podge vs. Homemade video for more information.

I should mention that the black prints worked really well, but the colored images, notably the red bled, which was rather disappointing. So if you know anyways to keep that from happening, I would love to know.

Happily, I didn’t have any problems with the black.

Happy New Year to you.

And of course happy upcycling,

Cindy

P.S. If you would like to use any of the art you see in this project, you can find the PDF files below.