How Can I Paste Giant Poster Underneath Desktop Glass Surface?

January 16, 2005 10:30 PM

I have a white wood desk I built that I put a piece of glass on top of (easy cleaning, really a work desk). It is rather boring and I'd like to possibly put one of those giant posters (or any poster really) underneath the glass, but make it look somewhat nice by "pasting it on". I have no clue what I'm doing. I believe the process is similar to wood mounting if what I've read about wood mounting is correct. I know nowhere to even start on this but was hoping it could be done simply for some instant pop-art. More inside.

I'd like to use your run-of-the-mill glossy on one side and matte on the other poster. I'd it look not cheaply put it on, matte against the wood. Is this even possible?

posted by geoff. to home & garden (5 comments total)

I think you might be talking about decoupage.
posted by joaquim at 10:48 PM on January 16, 2005

Hmm looks like it, does that end up looking like cheap, tacky crap?
posted by geoff. at 11:24 PM on January 16, 2005

I would recommend against anything that will soak through the paper (I don't like the way it looks). What about some spray-mount adhesive? It'll make it stick to the desk so it doesn't move around and won't damage the visible surface. Should be available at any craft or framing shop.
posted by cali at 12:16 AM on January 17, 2005

i think the glass will hold the poster in place so that pasting isn't needed.

however, i have mounted some posters on wooden backing (a sheet of hardboard the size of the poster, with a frame on the back to give it depth) using white wood glue and had good results. but these have been glossy posters - i'm not sure how the glue would look if it soaked into thin paper. unless you're very careful you want to use something that you can slide around a little and/or remove and try again before it dries. also, be ready with a soft cloth to squeeze out air bubbles.
posted by andrew cooke at 3:48 AM on January 17, 2005

I agree with andrew - you don't need to paste or decoupage it. My husband made me a big square coffee table, and I had a glass top custom made for it. I covered the surface of the table with pics and vintage postcards, and put the glass on it, and it looks great. Before the postcards, I had a poster under the glass, and it look really good as well, and therein lies the beauty of leaving it undecoupaged....you can change your mind, and your artwork.
posted by iconomy at 6:47 AM on January 17, 2005