These custom decoupage soaps might be the easiest handmade gift ever. They also make for great party favors.
Decoupage is a method of using glue or Mod Podge to seal something on a surface. I used Mod Podge in this project to decoupage some cutouts onto soap.
You can use any paper for this project but I wanted a particular design so I printed mine on my inkjet printer then cut the shape out with my Cricut cutting machine.
This also works great for wrapping paper, origami paper or any lightweight paper less than 20lbs.
Can you use decoupage soap?
That was sort of the first question I had. If I am going to give this as a gift, I want it to be usable.
So the glue actually seals the paper on both sides so after some usage, the design sort of just slides off as one sheet and the rest of the soap is left intact.
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Materials for Decoupage Soap
Soap – I used Dove and Ivory soap in the example photos but any opaque soap works. I would love to use this tinted soap set with essential oils as a next set.
Mod Podge – I just used the regular Matte kind.
Brush or sponge – Anything works here. I could use my finger in a pinch.
Design – I’ve included both the heart and flower as transparent PNGs and printables for free in my resource library. (A transparent PNG is just an image with the background removed which makes it usable for cutting machines.)
How to put a picture on a bar of soap with Mod Podge
The key to getting a good transfer is to cut out the design with no excess white space. I’ve removed the background around the image in great detail for the examples I used in this project.
You can also cut this by hand if you don’t have a cutting machine. Just make sure the cut is flush against the image.
What paper to use for decoupage soap?
I printed on just regular copy paper and I would not recommend anything heavier than that.
I definitely would not just use a regular photo, it would not flex enough to seal onto the soap.
After cutting out the design, apply a layer of Mod Podge to the back of the cutout.
Place the paper on and then do another coat on top. I like to dab with my brush as to not blend the colors too much.
Let it dry for about 24hrs.
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WILL THE DESIGN TUB OFF FROM THE SOAP AFTER USEING IT. I’VE SEEN PEOPLE SAY NO, BUT I CAN’T FIGURE OUT IT CAN STAY ON
Hi Jane,
Most likely it will fade.