Decoupaged Serving Tray

A decoupaged serving tray is a beautiful way to serve breakfast in bed to that special someone. You can also use the decoupaged tray for displaying a pretty tea set or use it as a convenient writing surface. Gift wrap and wallpaper are great materials to use for decoupage. They both come in a variety of colors and patterns which offer unlimited options. Learning to make your own decoupaged serving tray is easy, just follow the directions below and you will be one step closer to enjoying your new decoupaged tray.

Materials

Wooden serving tray(any size)
acrylic craft paint (color of your choice)
fine grit sandpaper
all purpose craft glue
wallpaper or gift wrap
varnish

If you don't own a wooden serving tray, they can be purchased inexpensively at major department stores. Another great place to find serving trays are thrift stores or garage sales. If you purchase a used pre-painted serving tray, just be sure to clean it thoroughly with soap and water before proceeding.

First you will begin by sanding the tray to remove any shine and to achieve a nice smooth surface. Use a clean soft cloth to dust away any particles. Paint the entire tray with a coat of water based primer (I use Kilz), which helps the paint to adhere better. Let the primer dry completely. Paint the entire tray with the acrylic paint in the color you chose and let it dry thoroughly. Once the first coat has dried, apply a second coat of paint.

Once the serving tray is dry, cut out enough wallpaper or gift wrap to line the inside of the tray. Turn over your paper and apply glue to the back, being sure to cover the entire sheet.
Place the glued paper in the bottom of your tray and smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles. A credit card works great, to help smooth out the paper. Quickly wipe away any excess glue that squeezes out from the bottom of the paper. Let the decoupage dry thoroughly.

To protect your decoupaged tray, apply a coat of varnish and let it dry completely. After the first coat of varnish has dried give it a light sanding, than apply one more coat. This will help ensure the decoupage will last for a long time and make the tray much more durable. Your tray is now finished and ready for use. A decoupaged serving tray would make a wonderful gift for mom, aunt or grandma.