Tutorial of Paper Mache Letters

By Request, I am going to show, step by step, how to make Paper Mache Letter Words. (Directions will be above the photo.)

Preparation

- First of all, you need to decide what word you want. Some of the words I have seen are: LOVE, USA, THANKS, LUCKY, SUMMER, SPRING, FALL, BOO, JOY, FAMILY. The words are endless.

(Tip: 3-4 letter words are ideal.)

-You can purchase Paper Mache Letters at most Hobby/Craft stores like JoAnns, Michaels & Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby tend to have good ones, you can order them online at http://www.craftsetc.com/

-Once you have your word, You need get Paper, Paint, Mod Podge and Embellishments. This is where your own creativity comes into play. You can use the same paper pattern on all, you can do each letter with a different print or you can alternate patterns.

-You will want to line your table with newspaper or I like to use the plastic disposable table clothes.

-Make sure you take all the sticker tags off the letters.

-I use 12x12 inch scrapbook paper. Cut them in half, remembering if there is directional patterns, to cut in the direction that you desire. For example...Stripes may go horizontal or vertical. Or like in this word, I had keys that I wanted to go up and down.


-Once you have all your paper ready, lay them out and decide what order you want them to go in.

Tracing

-Now to get ready to trace. Some letters like O's, H's, I's are multi directional so you want to make sure you mark your letters to remember what is the front.

- Now turn the letter over so your arrow is facing down and turn your paper upside down. Trace as close to the letter as you can get.

-Trim about 1/8 of an inch inside the line. When doing letters like A's. You may need to use an exacto knife to cut the inside of the A.

-I also like to put an arrow on the back of the paper to keep its direction straight.

-Now you need to make sure the paper fits onto the letter. Trim as necessary to get it to fit and look neat.

-These letters are not perfect so it may take some patients as you work to get them trimmed to fit perfectly.

Painting

-You need to decide what color to paint each letter.

-You want to paint the back, the sides and partly onto the front of the letter. Painting the whole front is not necessary since the paper will cover it up and it uses up more paint. It will also cover up any directional arrows you may have used.

-It may take up to 3 or more coats of paint to get a good covering.

-Sometimes when the paint dries it looks different then what you might have expected. Don't be afraid to repaint it. (I didn't like my green so I went back and made it darker.)

-This is what you should end up with.

Mod Podge

There are two types of Mod Podge Glossy and Matte finish. I used the Matte but either one is fine.

-A little short cut that I use is to dip the sponge brush directly into the jar. It doesn't waist as much.

-On the front of your letter, apply an even layer of Mod Podge.

-Set your paper onto the letter. Make sure it all lines up evenly, you have a couple of minutes to be able to move the paper around.

-I typically will get the paper on all the letters and then go onto the next step.

- Now, cover the whole letter, including the paper you just attached, with mod podge to give it the glossy finished look. Make sure you do this neatly and in an even layer. You may have to do one a section at a time.

-You may notice bubbles in your paper as you mod podge. Some papers bubble more then others. The bubbles tend to lay flatter when dry, but there is not a whole lot you can do about it.

-Remember, the Mod Podge WILL dry clear.

Mod Podge takes about 15 - 20 minute's to dry. When it is completely dry, Then you can accessorize.

Accessorizing

-This is where you get to use your own creativity again.

-To attach flowers and buttons you can use glue dots or a hot glue gun. I find that on these letters that hot glue works better, but it is messier and is permanent.

-One of the papers I used in this word, had keys on it so I incorporated some key charms into the ribbons.
-You can add little sayings, on tags or this one is a rub on. I put it on the back of one of the papers that I used in the word.

And you are done!!

Other tips...Some letters like F and P have a hard time standing up by them selves. You can just lean them on the letter next to them.

Here are some more of my examples....

Sarah at the Van Sciver Chronicles learned to do this with me and the words below are her examples.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!!