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Craft Product Review: Mod Podge

Photos courtesy of PlaidOnline.com

This is a version of a post I put up at CraftsUnleashed.com, but with my special “CraftTestDummies” touch for you!

Mod Podge is a true crafting staple, and every crafters’ closet should have a bottle or two. This miracle 3-in-one product is a glue, sealer, and finish, all in one bottle. What’s more, you have a choice of finishes: gloss, satin, and even sparkle and fabric versions!

So here’s what you should know about Mod Podge:

  • It’s a glue. You can use it just as you would any white glue, and it’s non-toxic. It starts out white, and dries clear, and has the viscosity of honey. That makes it great for working on vertical surfaces. And it cleans up with water and is non-toxic, so your kids can use it, too.
  • It’s a sealer. Use Mod Podge on the top of a project to protect it from moisture. While I wouldn’t dunk your paper projects in water, it does for example make a great sealer when decoupaging paper to game tiles for jewelry purposes.
  • It’s a finish. You get to choose from glossy or matte, too. Working on a project that uses different papers, and want to homogenize the look? Brush on a top coat of MP and it all marries together! Want something to have a glossy shine? MP can do that. It’s a nice finishing touch.

Mod Podge comes in many fancy-schmancy formulas- but today I’m sticking with the basics- Glossy and Matte. Like the names imply, each has a different finish. They both work the same- but depending on your project, you might like one over the other. Here’s a swatch comparison of Glossy versus Matte finishes:

Matte vs Glossy finish

However, no matter which finish you choose,  Mod Podge has some constants:

  • It’s always opaque when you apply it, but dries clear.
  • It has a mild, distinctive odor.
  • Has a tendency to show brushmarks. (Use a sponge-type brush to help this.)
  • Has the viscosity of honey.
  • Can be tacky to the touch when it dries. (But a quick coat of clear acrylic spray remedies this.)
  • Non-toxic, safe for the kids.
  • Works on any porous surface- paper, wood, cardboard, chipboard, fabric, cork, and more!

It’s no secret that I love MP and use it often. Check some of my projects featuring  the illustrious Mod Podge:

Boo-Boo Box

Recycled zipper pulls

Decoupage Tissue Paper Ornaments

Resin Bangles

(And if you need more inspiration, visit The Creative Goddess’s blog– she’s got quite a few!)

For more about the full Mod Podge line and it’s history, visit PlaidOnline. (Did you know that it’s been around since 1960?)

I also have to give a shout-out to one of my blog heroes:  Amy of   ModPodgeRocks fame…she’s always got great projects up! And she’s generous, too! She’s sponsoring a GIVEAWAY!

Just leave a comment on this post telling us what your favorite MP project is- and we’ll draw a lucky winner to receive some Matte and Glossy Mod Podge to play with! We’ll draw a name on Monday, 10/18/10. (And here’s a little insider tip- we’re giving Mod Podge goodies away all week!!! Come back every day for a chance to win!)

Thanks for reading, but this giveaway is CLOSED. Please read HERE for the winners!

About Jenny

Chief Craft Test Dummy, Craft Evangelist, Founder, Editor, bottle-washer, trouble-maker, and creative whirlwind.

Comments

  1. Awesome review Jenny and thanks a TON for the link!! Mod Podge really does ROCK!!
    I can’t wait to see your posts the rest of the week. Whoohoo!

  2. Being Halloween & in a decorating mood, I luv the Stiffy Ghost Ornament! So cute!

  3. Thanks for the great review! LOVE Mod Podge and especially love the tissue paper ornament! Thank you for the chance to win! 🙂

  4. I still have a plaque I made with Mod Podge in Summer Bible school 40 years ago. Things you make with it can last forever.

  5. I love MP. I use it all the time, on altered art, mixed media jewelry, ATCs and more. My favorite project using MP so far was a domino tile bracelet with “women of distinction” on it (photo on one side, bio on the other). I made it for my sister when she attended a NOW conference. She loved it and it was a hit.

    Thanks for the chance to win another great product!

  6. I have just got started with modpodge and I love it. untill today I did not know they had so many different kinds. I just bought the hard coat kind yesterday. I have been looking for outdoor modpodge and can not find it. I use it to cover tiles that I have cut out vinyl with my cricut, thanks for the great info.

  7. I use Modge Podge a lot when working in my art journal and for adding collage elements on a mixed media art piece. Great tool!

  9. I use mod podge for plaques and altered clothes pins! Love finding other ideas to make with Mod Podge! Would love to win some 🙂

  11. Cynthia- I think it depends on the application. Generally, MP is a water-based acrylic meant for porous surfaces. I’m guessing in thick layers it could peel off, especially if it’s going to be handled/worn. But to coat an ornament? Maybe. Try it and let us know!

  13. Truthfully, I didn’t know that they made so many cool products! I have the Mod Podge gloss-lustre and have used it on a lot of decoupage products! Thanks for a chance to win!
    kmassman gmail

  15. All I’ve used so far is the Satin MP so I guess that’s my favorite! I’m relatively new to the MP scene =)

  20. Just used Mod Podge for the first time last week…and it’s fun to see all the ideas and possibilities! Thanks for the great posts!

  21. I really love the train cases. Then again, what doesn’t look better with a little MP added?? 😉 Thanks for the smokin’ giveaway!! YAY!

  23. The Resin Bangles are so cool, I have to try making something like that sometime! Thanks for the giveaway! Decoupaging with MP is also fun.

  24. I just finished making a dozen sets of tile coasters as Christmas gifts – using Mod Podge, of course. I love the way it goes on and how quickly it dries. Now that I see how easy it is to use, and that you can use it on everything, I’m going to use Mod Podge to attach paper and fabric on lots of projects.

  27. I am new to this product but am excited to get some and try it on some Halloween decorations, and I ordered the glitter also cannot wait to see that post!!!
    Thanks for sharing some great info!!!
    Karen

  28. I love mod podge for…everything. No joke. It is my go-to glue. Where others has e-6000,I have mod podge. Notebook(both covers and spine binding!) altered magnets and trays, anything. I LOVE IT! And I love free stuff. Just sayin’ 🙂

  29. I am obsessed with modge podge right now. I have not used any of the products except the original. I just finished 3 modge projects. I go through the stuff like crazy.

  30. I’m currently using mod podge in a present I’m working on for my boyfriend. I’m using Mod Podge Outdoors (b/c it’s waterproof) to transfer a bunch of images I made with Photoshop onto 12 shot glasses– cheap, customized, and the perfect present for a college student!
    {Credit goes to “Mod Podge Rocks”, “Sabby in Suburbia”, and “Still Alive” for the photo transfer idea. It’s absolutely awesome.}
    I also used mod podge to make sick decoupage covers for all my class notebooks. Nerd ftw.

  31. This new type of Mod Podge can be used to accent so many things. I would
    like to try it on some wooden Fairy Tooth boxes.

  32. I have made photo ceramic coasters that I love with mod podge, I also am planning to do some Christmas ornaments. I have done a bulletin board before too that still hangs in my daughters room, and I want to try to line her dresser drawers with some fabric, and if that works well the shelves in our linen closet too.

  35. I recently introduced my Mom to mod podge when we used scrapbook paper and paint on wooden projects my kids made at the Home Depot kid’s club. My Mom loved it!

  36. Podged a wooden sewing box. Very cool. I’d love to win please. Thank you very much. smilin’

  38. I use mod podge with tissue paper alot and love how it comes out – the ornaments are cool! 🙂
    -Stefanie
    2ndChanceCreations.etsy.com

  40. I’d love the Podge to create with my niece … I made her a “traveling” tic tac toe box, and can imagine so many more fun projects we could do together!

    Thank you for the opportunity!
    Shoni

  41. I am not a mod podger YET, but I can tell you what I want to try. I’m a tatter, and I’ve got to learn to do this so I can bling up my tatting shuttles.

    Thank you for the information on mod podge.

  42. We painted the kids’ rooms this summer & I want to put their names on the wall above the doors with letters from the craft store. I was thinking about putting fabric on the letters with MP.

  43. I have MP Gloss and it is really glossy looking after it dried. I wrote name on my baby’s bottle so that the teacher in the nursery will not mixed up the bottle with others’ but the sharpie marker tend to come off after some washing. I layered MP gloss onto the name and voila…my baby’s name on the bottle still there even though after washing with soap!

  44. I’ve made a gift for my mom using MP and my son’s pictures, I’ve made placemats.

  45. I just did my first mod podge project last week; I covered composition books. I am working on making several more (these will be downloadable on my site when they are done). I’ve already got a few more projects in mind!

  47. OH I love me some MOD PODGE! I have to say my FAV is good ‘ol Glossy! I’m planning on trying the dimensional product to make some pendants for xmas. M.P. has become my new obsession again lately, I’m having SO much fun with it. I just did some CUTE pumpkins with left over party napkins!
    Love this website, happy crafting!
    Jennie Powers
    TPartyMail@gmail.com

  50. I love making decorations for my house with MP, and I’d also use it for decorating boxes and notebooks!

  51. hi this is very good product, i want to uses mod podge on by quilling earring is this product helps in handing the by jewellery

  52. I have used the dishwasher safe mod podge for glitter glasses and it has been great. I swapped to try gloss and I have had nothing but trouble with it. I keep getting white marks all over my glasses when sealing and my only conclusion is air bubbles!! So disappointed with it and going back to dishwasher safe

  53. Here’a a NEW comment from TODAY in 2016:
    After YEARS using Modpodge, I have to say the last jar I bought recently (bought Jan. 2016) has introduced unforetold problems. Yes – I’m using it on a beach in Brazil and it is a little humid, but I’ve been doing Modpodge projects here for 10 years, and this is an obvious diminishing of the product. My analysis is they have watered it down. We all know it dries a bit tacky and acrylic spray finish is needed, but 3-4 days in the sun before acrylic spray, and it is STILL STICKY??…never happened before. Recurring bubbles with second coats under even photographic paper?…not to mention the disaster with calendar/magazine-weight paper? Never happened to this degree. How dare them dummy down a fine product. Corporate greed/stupidity.

  54. I was just wandering if Mod Podge works well on rub on transfers that you you buy in a store and can it be used on glassware? Thank you for your time

  55. So would you seal the rub on transfer with MP? Probably would work on a porous surface. Would NOT work on glass ware.

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Jenny Barnett Rohrs is Head Dummy and Pied Piper behind CTD, which focuses on reviews, tutorials, and craft industry news. Jenny has appeared on HSN, Scrapbook Soup PBS series, and is currently the co-host of Hands On Crafts for Kids on PBS.

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Copyrighted Content Permission All images and tutorials on this blog are copyrighted material. Please contact me if you would like to borrow any media (photos, video or audio files), tutorials, or ideas from this blog. 99% of the time I would be happy to allow you to use one photo with appropriate credit and link back to CraftTestDummies.com (preferably to the same post it was borrowed from.)
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