Here are some examples of items decorated using different paper napkin applique techniques:  paper napkin applique technique applied to special paint, crackle paint, with a 3D effect... paper napkin applique technique applied to a small glass dish

First, carefully remove any grease marks from the glass, then, using a very soft brush, paint it with special paint for glass. The stem of the dish is given two coats of paint, while the sides are just lightly colored. When the paint has dried, the pieces of napkin that have been cut out (blue butterflies and little blue flowers) are glued on, using the normal glueing technique of spraying the back of the design with glue/varnish.

The advantage of this technique is that you can't see the glue (whereas if you use liquid glue/varnish and some excess glue runs off from the design, the shine from the glue will be especially visible against the glass, creating a rather ugly effect). 3D effect paper napkin applique technique applied to a cardboard box

The paper napkin design you want to glue on (the ladybug) is carefully cut out. You will need to stick a little texture effect/modeling paste on the place where you want to place the design (here it's in the center of the box's lid). Taking some texture effect/modeling paste, stick it on, recreating the shape of the design (work the paste only a little, because it dries very quickly in contact with your hands). When it is dry, you may paint the lid and the paste.

The inner cardboard circle and the sides of the box are painted in a light green color, lightened with the addition of yellow and white (for a grassy look) using a stencil brush. The edges of the lid are painted pine green, with a darker shade used for the part closer to the inside of the box. The advantage of having a lid made from 2 different pieces is that it's easier to paint the different parts of the box and play with contrasting colors without having to worry about paint running over into other areas.

The side of the box and the lid are decorated using the painting with stencils method.

Here are step-by-step instructions for another design: picture frame and 3D effect paper napkin applique technique paper napkin applique technique and 3D effect painting applied to a wooden box

Here's a cute little trompe-l'oeil effect box, or is it a hollow book in which to hide secret things? First of all, paint the wooden box with Gesso-type primer (or white acrylic paint). We'll glue an entire paper napkin onto the center of the box: thanks to the spray varnish, the big design can be repositioned several times without tearing, until you've got it exactly where you want it to be. Next, paint the edges of the box red and decorate the top with rows of white squares painted on with a stencil. The side of the box is painted yellow/gold, to make it look like a book with gilt-edged pages.

The finer details of the napkin pattern are emphasized using 3D/puff paint (Pébéo-touch), applied straight from the tube: a lustrous pink for the dress, yellow for the two sweethearts' hair, red for the little hearts...and so you have a pretty little box for small drawing supplies and accessories.

3D paint expands a little after being applied. (just a little, the line you paint must still be fairly precise, even though small mistakes will be hidden by the 'expanding effect' of the paint).

paper napkin applique technique applied to frosted-look porcelain First remove any grease marks from the white porcelain plate, then paint the edges with a sponge.

Spray the back of the large paper napkin pattern with glue/varnish spray and place it into the center of the plate. Cut out other smaller patterns from the same napkin and glue them to the edges of the square.

Spray the entire plate with the glue/varnish once more, this time from a good distance away: the glue will create an amazing frosted look to the plate!

This plate is a trinket tray and doesn't need to be washed, nor is it used for food. You must use a glue/varnish specially designed for Porcelain for any paper napkin applique technique designs applied to objects that may need to go into the dishwasher: designs applied to the outside of cups and mugs, use a glue/varnish for Porcelain that needs to be baked on in the oven, a special "food-safe" glue/varnish (available from Décopatch, for example) is used for creating designs on plates or serving dishes..

[Collage with paper napkins, step by step guide] [Decopatch items]