Is decoupage the best way to go with this?

Hi everyone,

I was recently directed to this site and hoping for some help regarding decoupage. I have been trying to print directly onto rectangle pieces of MDF (size 24cm x 18cm) and the method I was using to print onto the wood is not having the desired results. I viewed some youtube videos of image transfer printing onto wood using the likes of Mod Podge and liquitex glue and still can't get that to work either and based on videos I've seen decoupage seems to be the only thing I havn't attempted and wondering if it would work.

I don't want to decoupage with lots of small cut outs I want to use 1 single print that is the same size as the surface of the mdf (24cm x 18cm). If I were to print the design on paper or photo paper in a laser printer and then decoupage this down onto the mdf using liquitex and varnish over could this work so as to make the mdf appear like it was printed over?

The mdf is being used as an indoor sign & dog lead hanger to be hung on a wall and some customers may want to wipe the front if it gets dirty so if using standard paper or say photo paper then my concern would be the print or paper being damaged and worn away under water? Is there any other types of specialist decoupage paper that are made for printing in a laser printer and can withstand a damp cloth being wiped over it?

You can get water transfer paper which can be put through a printer but it would need varnishing as would any paper you use. If it is going to be wiped for cleaning I would use 2-3 coats of varnish (available in gloss, satin or matt depending on what sort of finish you want). I wouldn't use anything coated like photo paper just regular copy paper would be fine. When you have fussy cut the image you want make sure you stick it down very well or else it will start to lift when you varnish it. You can get spray varnish which is useful if you only have one or two small items to do. You will avoid brushmarks that way but if you are planning on doing a lot of these then a pot/bottle of varnish would be better value. Decopatch do a glue and sealer in one but I don't know how effective this is. The paper more suited to decoupage you mention is better for 3D decoupage where you need a paper of substance in order to build up layers. Hope this helps.