How to Make Mod Podge

Rinse the jar with the tight-fitting lid. You need to use a clean bottle with a tight-fitting lid that has a capacity of about 360ml. You can use glass or plastic jars.

• If you want to make Mod Podge glossy or glitter, you will need to use a larger jar.

Prepare the milk glue. You will need about 230ml of milk glue – the kind that is often used for crafting. If the glue bottle you use has a capacity of about 230ml (or equivalent), you do not need to measure the glue. However, if the bottle of glue is quite large, you will need to pour it into the measuring cup to get the right amount.

• Try an acid-free craft glue. This glue sticks better and is less prone to staining than regular glue. ^[3]

Open the glue bottle and pour the glue into the jar. You can either place the glue bottle over the mouth of the jar and let the glue run out, or you can squeeze the glue into the jar. If the glue is thick and difficult to pour, you can put some boiling water in the glue bottle, close the cap tightly and shake. Hot water will help thin the glue. Then, open the cap of the glue bottle and pour it into the jar – the glue will be easier to pour out.

• Warm the glue in the microwave for about 30 seconds (or faster, depending on the power of the oven). This will make it easier and faster to apply the glue.

Add water to the jar of glue. When all the glue has been poured into the jar, add 115ml of water and stir well.

Add polish or varnish to give the glue shine. Mod Podge is usually opaque but you can make it glossy by adding 2 tablespoons of water-based varnish or polish. You just need to add polish or varnish after adding water. ^[4]

Make Mod Podge with glitter. If you want to make Mod Podge glitter, add 2 tablespoons glitter to the mixture. This is extremely effective when combined with water-based varnishes or polishes. ^[5]

Close the vial tightly and shake. Once the ingredients are in the jar, close the lid and shake to mix everything well. If Mod Podge comes out from under the cap, simply wipe it off with a damp cloth.

Add a label to the jar. You can design and print labels with glued paper, or make simple labels with a paper template and clear tape. Make the sticker after you have poured the Mod Podge into the jar and shake it well. Here’s how you can make stickers without a computer or printer: ^[6]

• Write “Mod Podge Glue” or “Decoupage Glue” on a small piece of paper.
• Cut a piece of clear tape larger than your label.
• Place the label with the letter face down in the center of the tape.
• Wrap duct tape around the glass jar. Smooth the surface of the tape to avoid air bubbles.

Use Mod Podge glue to decorate boxes and other objects. Just use a brush to apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the area you need to decorate. You can also use a sponge brush. Dip the fabric or paper in Mod Podge, making sure to smooth out any extrusions, bulges, or wrinkles. Apply a second thin coat of Mod Podge on top of the fabric or paper. You can always apply another coat of Mod Podge after the first coat has dried. ^[7]

Add color to Mod Podge glue. If making Mod Podge from milk and water glue, you can add a few drops of food coloring and spread it on the glass jar. Thus, you will create colored glass jars. Be sure to add 2 tablespoons of water-based polish or varnish so that the jar doesn’t have an opaque color.

• If you want the glass jar to have the same color as marine glass, you can leave out the varnish.

Use glue to cover the craft model. Homemade Mod Podge will not stick as tightly as the store-bought ones. You can make the glue last longer by waiting until the glue is completely dry (after a few hours) and applying more acrylic topcoat.

• You just need to hold the spray bottle about 15cm to 20cm away from the craft model and spray gently and firmly. Once the top coat has dried, you can apply a second coat if needed.
• If you’re adding varnish or glitter to Mod Podge for shine, be sure to use an acrylic topcoat with a glossy finish.

Homemade Mod Podge is not the same as store-bought. When making and using Mod Podge glue made from the above recipe, you should keep in mind that homemade glue will be different from store-bought glue. This section will help you recognize the difference between the two types of glue.

Homemade Mod Podge is usually cheaper than store-bought glue. Store-bought Mod Podge can be very expensive, so don’t be surprised when many crafters try to create their own glue recipes with ingredients you already have at home.

The quality of these two glues is also different. Homemade Mod Podge glue usually uses water glue, so it will not have some of the same features as the commercially available Mod Podge glue. Commercially available Mod Podge that can be used for bonding and coating, is usually very durable. Homemade glue doesn’t stick too tight and doesn’t have a lot of varnish or glossy finish. ^[8]

• To make your homemade Mod Podge more durable, you can spray an acrylic coat once the Mod Podge has dried. ^[9]

When dry, the two glues also look very different. The commercially available Mod Podge can, when dry, turn glossy, smooth or opaque. Glue also glows in the dark and becomes sparkling. With homemade Mod Podge glue, if no varnish or glitter is added, it will be opaque.

• Mod Podge made from wheat flour when dry will have a lumpy texture or like having small, not smooth particles. ^[10]