noun / verb

decoupage

day-koo-PAHZH/ˌdeɪkuˈpɑʒ/

Decoration using pasted paper cutouts sealed with varnish.

The craftsperson applies paper flowers to the box using decoupage.

Decoupage: adult hands brush clear glue over cutout paper flowers on a small wooden box; loose colorful botanical paper cutouts and scissors nearby.

Etymology

deFrenchout

+coupFrenchto cut

+ageFrenchact or process

The pieces express the act of cutting out. The decorative technique takes its name from preparing the paper shapes that are then applied to a surface.

In context

Los Angeles Center of Photography2:34

for those who don't know what decoupage is it's the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto it

History of Photo Collage with Sarah Hadley

More examples

The class learned to decoupage a wooden tray.
Paper flowers formed the decoupage pattern.
They sealed the decoupage with clear varnish.

Forms

decoupage · decoupages · decoupaged · decoupaging

Similar words

collage: Collage assembles pasted materials as an artwork; decoupage commonly decorates an object and seals the surface.
inlay: Inlay fits material into a surface; decoupage pastes cutouts onto it.