Cardboards are a great item to make the painting. The painting of cardboard is hard and easy to afford. Many paint lovers buy cardboard paintings and hang them in their house that enhances the room’s beauty.
If you want to draw your creative art on cardboard, you must know how to seal acrylic paint on cardboard. This guide will tell you the process of painting with acrylic paint. Spray paint is also good for cardboard painting.
Some other paints are available in the market, but they are not suitable for painting on cardboard. We will try to highlight everything about cardboard and paint.
You can learn the steps to paint on cardboard and the right products for the task through this guide.
Why Cardboard Is An Inexpensive Allrounder Object?
There are many holes in the cardboard surface. So, it is relatively difficult to paint on cardboard. Cardboard surfaces are not as smooth as walls or art paper. But know what, paints are almost like water means liquid.
Cardboard has a strange power to absorb liquid very fast. It absorbs paint pretty fast. It is cheap and very easy to offer or buy for paints.
It dries very fast after applying paints from corner to corner. It allows students to paint smoothly and makes a great craft.
Cardboards are helpful to hold various supplies. Cardboard boxes are very useful to store many important things. So, overall, cardboard is a very handy object that can use for painting or other regular tasks.
How to Choose the Right Type of Varnishes for Cardboard:
When it comes to sealing acrylic paint on cardboard, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, you’ll want to ensure that the varnish you choose is compatible with the paint and the cardboard. Second, you’ll need to decide how much protection you want your finished project to have. Finally, you’ll need to decide what type of finish you prefer: matte or glossy.
Here are a few tips on choosing the proper varnish for your project:
Make sure the varnish is explicitly formulated for acrylic paint and cardboard. This will ensure that it won’t cause any damage or discoloration.
Choose a varnish that’s transparent or has a light sheen so that your painted surface will be visible. You don’t want your project to look too covered up or cluttered.
Choose a varnish that’s thick enough so that it won’t smear when applied and won’t dry quickly (you’ll need time for it to fully dry).
Avoid varnishes with alcohol, turpentine, metallic smells, or other scents that may be difficult to work with.
2 Easy Methods To Seal Acrylic Paint On Cardboard:
Sealing acrylic paint on cardboard is important not only because it prevents the paint from fading and rubbing off, but also because it helps keep the painting in place. If your painted piece moves or shifts, the sealant will help hold it in place.
In addition, if you’re intending to mount your artwork on a wall, using a sealant will ensure that the painting stays put while dust and other particles collect over time. Sealing acrylic paint on the cardboard can be a pain, but it’s definitely worth it in the long run. Here are two easy methods to seal acrylic paint on cardboard:
- Use an acrylic paint sealant. This seals the paint and will limit it from fading or rubbing off.
- Apply heavy gel glue to the back of your painting and stick it to the wall. This will provide a durable seal and prevent paint from rubbing off.
Why Do You Need To Seal Cardboard For Painting?
Do you often paint on cardboard? If so, you know that acrylic paint can be tricky to work with. Not to mention, it’s easy to damage the paint surface. That’s why it’s essential to seal the paint with a sealant before painting. There are several types of sealants available, so find one that best suits your needs. By sealing the paint with a sealant, you’ll prolong the life of your painting and avoid these problems. Don’t forget to apply sealant evenly to the surface of the cardboard and let it dry for at least 30 minutes before painting or applying any other adhesive. Happy painting!
Benefits Of A Cardboard
Cardboard is a great tool for painting. It has versatile purposes to use. It is also cheap and lightweight compared to other painting objects. You may be thinking of art paper, but art paper is not as versatile as cardboard.
Old cardboards are an excellent painting medium. They are sturdy enough to paint on. You can reuse them easily if you don’t get the expected result without wasting money.
It also helps you to experiment with your creativity. For many people, it can be a new item they are going to use for painting. Trying something new is always wonderful.
Cardboard can hold painting supplies. You can store markers, water cans, paint tubes, colored pencils, and most art media in cardboard boxes. You can use it like a portable tray that holds palette knives and paints tubes to carry students to the table.
Architects and designers use cardboard to create structure and modeling. Architects use it to show the presence of any industrial project. Designers make a colorful demo model with it.
Some modeling or architectural design needs to paint. Since cardboards are fast, cheap, and versatile items, it is incomparable to create any kind of demo design.
Moreover, users can use glue to add more parts with cardboard. Finally, cardboard provides many benefits as an art medium. Too much oil on the paper will accelerate its destruction. In this case, cardboard has no such issue.
How To Turn Old Cardboard Into A Painting Panel?
Cardboards are good for painting, but there is a problem. Since cardboard is made of paper, pouring liquid paint on it spreads the colors on the paper. This reduces the accuracy of getting your desired painting.
There is a way that helps you solve this problem. If you can turn your cardboard into a painting canvas, you will deserve good quality art from cardboard. So, let’s get into the process of turning your old cardboard into priming cardboard.
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Take Perfect-sized Cardboard For Your Project
The very first thing, you have to take cardboard with perfect measurement. A4 size is perfect for making a simple wall-frame art. To create art, there is a common measurement that everyone follows.
Most commonly, 6 × 4 ″ and 5 × 7 a are really too small for a pencil portrait because there is not enough space for details. Standard sizes are 8 × 10 ″, 11 × 14, and 16 × 20.
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Mix Shellac Sealant
You should mix some shellac to seal the cardboard. It needs to do before coating with acrylic Gesso. Gesso is a white paint mixer made of Acrylic Polymer Emulsion, Titanium Dioxide, and Calcium Carbonate.
Gesso is used in paintings such as wood panels, canvases and sculptures, and other materials applied to it as a basis for as many layers as are prepared.
To prepare shellac sealant, you can use any kind of shellac. Take some shellac into a glass jar and cover them with methylated spirits until they dissolve. Here your shellac sealant is ready to use.
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Seal The Cardboard
Take your desired cardboard and the shellac mixture. Just after taking one brush, you should put it in the mixture. Then seal the cardboard using it.
Seals are very effective in creating protective layers on the cardboard. It stops acid leaching out of your cardboard. It almost works like coating.
This way, the paint will not be affected by the acid and other ingredients of the cardboard. Apply the seal coating on the both sides of the canvas.
When the coating is done, clean the brush with a little more methylated spirits followed up with soap and water.
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Add Gesso
Now it is time to add Gesso to your cardboard.
Before adding Gesso, let the seal coat dry. If you use acrylic paint on cardboard, the suggestion is to use at least two coats of Gesso.
Use at least four coats of Gesso to paint with oil-based paint. Gesso is a cheap and common item in the market. You can make Gesso on your own.
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Rub With Sandpaper
Let the Gesso dry. After that, sand the cardboard with fine sandpaper. It helps to make the cardboard smoother more than the surface to produce your artwork.
Now your cardboard is completely ready for your project. You can paint on your cardboard whatever you like. Choose suitable paint for your artwork.
If you don’t know which paints are the best to use on cardboard, go to the next part. You will get some suitable paint options for cardboard canvas.
Best Paints For Cardboard Painting
Cardboard is a popular, versatile choice for art projects. But all types of colors are not suitable to paint on cardboard.
You understand the difference while using the paints on cardboard. You don’t get the expected result if you use inappropriate colors.
If you get a suitable painting output, you must use suitable paint. You must ensure the cardboard quality also. The best paints for cardboards are given below:
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a water-based paint. The moisture level of this paint is quite high. So, it can easily warp cardboard. Even there is a risk of letting water get into the priming cardboard if the layer of acrylic paint is thick.
Here you can use Gesso to make a risk-free painting with acrylic paint. You should use a dry brush to paint. Don’t remove the acrylic paint from paint tubes on cardboard. Otherwise, an excess level of moisture can cause dampness.
The main thing is, you have to ready the cardboard before painting on it. When you have turned your cardboard into a painting panel, then you can apply paint easily.
Spray Paint
Cardboards warp easily. For that, the use of water-based color is completely prohibited. That’s why many people feel hesitant to use spray paint because of the risk of degrading.
That happens because of moisture. Cardboard is paper material. Wet paint penetrates the inside of the cardboard and spreads, which is noticeable from the outside.
So, you should know to use spray paint carefully. We suggest always turn the carboard in an art panel before starting the art project on cardboard. It defends the color to spread on the cardboard, and the designer gets an accurate shape.
Oil Paints
Most of artists love to use oil paint in painting. Oil-based paints are the most readily available on the market, and more or less everyone knows them. You can paint on the cardboard using oil-based paints.
Oil paints require a primer to paint the cardboard canvas. Unprimed cardboard absorbs oil-based paint that can create unnecessary bad paint.
Whatever paint you use must ensure the cardboard canvas is primed. You have to avoid water-based color to create artwork on cardboard.
There is no doubt that cardboard is paper; you can say heavy-duty paper. Paper can never handle water well. Water-based paints should not be your choice.
So, you have three types of color options. Of these three, oil painting has the highest moisture level. So, it can degrade your craft paper, but it won’t always happen until the layer of cardboard is very thick.
However, we don’t think you should take the risk. This is the primary reason to recommend using acrylic or spray paints. Our advice would be to use acrylic paint.
Why do You Need to Seal Cardboard for Painting?
Sealing acrylic paint on cardboard is essential for two reasons: to prevent the color from drying out and to protect the cardboard from damage.
Acrylic paints are water-soluble, which means they will eventually start to dry out if they’re not sealed in some way. Sealing the color prevents it from seeping through the cardboard and forming a crusty layer on top. This protective layer also helps keep the paint fresh and free of dust and debris, which can cause color inconsistencies and other problems.
Additionally, sealing the paint protects it from damage by moisture, air pollution, and other elements. If you don’t lock your paintings, they may deteriorate over time due to these factors. By sealing your pictures correctly, you can prolong their life and ensure that they look their best when you’re finished with them.
How To Make Painting With Acrylic Paints
There are many painting techniques people use. Can you tell me the common technique that everyone uses?
Most people soak the brush in water before painting. You are not allowed to do the same during cardboard paint. It causes warping to the cardboard.
You must keep your paintbrush dry to avoid curling and ensure the canvas is primed before painting.
The process of primming cardboard with Gesso is discussed above. Now pick your brush, arrange acrylic paint and get ready to follow how to seal acrylic paint on cardboard.
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Step-1
Cover the area with a newspaper or with some unnecessary paper. Doing so protect the surface and ease your cleaning process.
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Step-2
Paint the cardboard using a dry brush or sponge. Don’t dip the brush into the water. Always keep the cardboard away from wet materials. If the brush feels stiff, bend your fingers behind the bristles.
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Step-3
Apply thin coats of paint twice to the cardboard with a brush to ensure less moisture. Don’t try to apply a hard coat. Apply the coating once and let it dry for 2-3 hours.
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Step-4
Again, apply the second coat. This will allow some moisture to evaporate into the cardboard instead of evaporating.
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Step-5
To make a solid color, you may need to use multiple color coating. It helps you to get the desired color. Each coating will create a new color. Continue the process until you get your desired look.
After complete painting, you have to seal acrylic paint on cardboard. It is the final touch that you have to apply to increase the glossiness of your paint.
Easy Methods to Seal Acrylic Paint on Cardboard:
If you’re looking for a way to seal acrylic paint on cardboard, you can use water or a tar and feather mixture.
Water:
To seal acrylic paint with water, you’ll need a spray bottle and some water:
- Mist the paint liberally onto the cardboard and let it dry.
- Spray the water onto the painted area and wait until it’s absorbed into the color.
- Sprinkle some sand or grit over the top to help resist future flaking.
Tar and Feather:
To seal acrylic paint with tar and feathers, you’ll need a bowl filled with water and enough feathers to cover the paint surface. Soak the feathers in the water for a few minutes before sprinkling them over the painted area. Let them settle on the surface for about 10 minutes, then carefully remove them using a paper towel or cloth.
How To Seal Acrylic Paint On Cardboard
Cardboard painting can be ruined if not received proper care. Acrylic paint varnish can save your picture from ruining. It will be the worst if your hard-earned design is ruined.
We know that you have already done some coating with Gesso. That coating was done to prevent warping cardboard. This time, we will create an acrylic paint varnish to increase the glossiness and looks of the picture.
This process helps to preserve the picture we paint. The varnish is the final touch of your cardboard painting. You can compare this to food preservatives.
Preservative protects food from being rotten. It protects food from viruses, bacteria, and outside fungus.
The same way acrylic paint varnish will work for cardboard paint. You have to follow certain ways to varnish the board. Here are the ways to seal acrylic paint on cardboard so that you can protect your cardboard canvas for a long time.
Gather Necessary Seal Materials
At first, arrange all the necessary materials to seal acrylic paint. It is the preparation part. The necessary materials you need to do this job is given below:
- Sort varnishes based on your demand. The glossy or matte type seems quite good.
- Medium-sized clean jar.
- Isolation coat.
- Synthetic brush.
- Mineral spirit.
- Solid surface like wood and dry area.
- Paper towel.
Dry Out The Paint
You have already finished the painting on the cardboard, right? Without making a further painting, leave the varnish to dry. Set in your mind that you have to dry the cardboard properly after completing each coating part.
After applying shellac sealant, you must dry the cardboard. Again, you have to use this method after applying paint coating.
And when you can paint your desired picture on the cardboard with a paintbrush, you still have to leave the board to dry.
That means drying out the cardboard canvas after every coating is crucial. Now you may be wondering why it is necessary to coat a little cardboard so many times.
We don’t want your cardboard canvas to be ruined for any reason. Do you want that? This time we use varnish instead of coating to make a glossy finish on your project.
The painting should be well dried before applying the varnish. Varnish won’t degrade the whole paint even if the paint is wet a little bit. Take more time if you need to, yet the painting can’t stay wet even in the slightest amount.
Make The Varnish On A Jar
You have to be very clear to prepare varnish on a bottle. Before preparing it, you must read the label of the chemical you are using. Suppose you are using acrylic resin varnish, then you are not allowed to mix the water with resin varnish.
The mixing method is again completely different in the case of polymer varnish. You are allowed to mix water this time. You must take help from the label. If you mistakenly mix water with resin varnish, it will be of no use.
So, this is the notice before preparing varnish. Now notice the steps on how to make varnish.
- Take a clean bottle. If the bottle is not clean, then clean it first.
- Check the label to understand the ratio of the varnish.
- Arrange enough varnish before making the mixture. If some varnish remains, you can use it later.
- Finally, mix the varnish according to the label instructions.
Apply Insulation Coat
The insulation coat makes the varnish permanent. It is not the only advantage of an insulation coat. Besides making the varnish permanent, the insulation coat also works as a block between varnish and cardboard painting.
Moreover, many people know that after three or four days, a kind of cloudy effect of varnish is seen. Applying an insulation coat helps you to avoid this issue.
Moreover, there are some more advantages of insulation coats. It allows you to change the varnish and redesign the paint as per your choice. Then you can also varnish in that redesigned painting.
By now, you may have realized the importance of isolation. The way to make isolation coat and apply is given below:
- Choose a gel gloss.
- Take one part water and two parts gel gloss.
- Blend the water and gel gloss properly. The label instruction of gel gloss provides you with a clear idea.
- Get a proper ratio of water and gel gloss.
- Dip a clean brush into the mixture of insulation coat.
- Apply the coat vertically on the painting.
- Leave the coating on for 24 hours to dry.
- Apply the coat a second time horizontally on the painting and leave it to dry.
Lay The Canvas On A Solid Dry Surface
Now, place your painting on a solid and dry surface. It would be best if the surface were wooden. A hardwood surface will reduce varnish run and drips and also protect the surface from permanent damage.
You can choose your garage also. There is a huge chance that the floor will be colored with a drop of paint and coating. If you do this job in your room, you will face many difficulties while cleaning the room.
With that said, it is very easy to remove the drops from a wooden surface. So, try to choose a dry and windy place to apply varnish and ensure your children are away from you when you are applying varnish.
Apply The Varnish Twice
You have made a varnish in a jar. Take that bottle and dip the brush inside the varnish. Do not insert the entire brush into the varnish bottle. Dip only one-third portion of the brush and bring it out. Apply the brush to the painting.
You have to be very careful during varnishing. Some people find it easier to use a sponge than to use a brush. They can also apply varnish using a sponge if they want.
Stroke the varnish in one line vertically or horizontally. Follow the same rule to varnish full painting. Make sure that every part of the cardboard gets the pure touch of varnish.
Leave the varnish to dry. It may take few hours. After that, apply varnish in the same manner for the second time. Leave the cardboard to dry again for a while.
Final Verdict
It is a very easy and simple process to learn how to seal acrylic paint on cardboard. It is a simple but time-consuming task. If it is described briefly, the description will be as follows –
“Apply the coating, then dry. Paint again and let it dry. Apply varnish again and let it dry.” This time-consuming task needs proper steps and proper protection.
Protection is a very important factor in sealing paint on cardboard. When doing this, you need to pay more attention to cardboard priming than painting.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.How Do You Seal Acrylic Paint On Paper?
Ans. To seal acrylic paint on cardboard, apply two coats of Gesso before painting on cardboard. If the paper is not acid-free, then apply Gesso on both surfaces of the cardboard. Varnish can be applied to get the best output in painting.
2.How Do You Make The Cardboard Waterproof?
Ans. You can make the cardboard waterproof by applying the waterproof coating. Polyurethane coating, acrylic spray, or lacquer spray are used as a waterproof coating.
3.How To Save Acrylic Paint For The Further Project?
Ans. If more colors are poured, there is a good chance that the next color will remain. You can store the remaining paints in a tin container. However, keep in mind that the colors can dry out if left in the container for a long time.
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