Creative workshop: how to choose napkins for decoupage

Why are napkins for decoupage so special?

Those who are just getting acquainted with the decoupage technique do not always understand what is special about using napkins.

Since such a material is multi-layered, excess layers are removed, leaving the thinnest one, which will be needed. It easily blends into the surface being treated after just two coats of varnish.

A special napkin is stretchable to prevent wrinkles; it is soaked in water, smoothing it on a file PHOTO: artists-lab.ru

It is also noteworthy that it has the ability to accept the background color - this is a very useful quality for creativity. The drawing remains bright, and the background merges with the surface of the object. If a primer or just white paint is applied under the drawing, the picture will be very bright and clear. It is not recommended to glue napkins onto a dark background, unless this is the process of implanting a picture into wood covered with stain or acrylic. In this case, showing through the wood texture under the pattern is valuable.

Thematic themes allow you to use the product for different interior styles PHOTO: creativnost.ua

Napkins for cleaning the house. Their types and features.

Every woman knows that spring cleaning is a difficult and time-consuming job. To make our lives easier, cleaning product manufacturers have created many types of cloths, sponges, mop heads and brushes to make the process a little more enjoyable.

We will help you understand such a large abundance of home helpers, because each of them has its own unique properties and types of purpose.

Cleaning wipes

1. Cellulose.

2. Microfiber.

3. Viscose.

4. Bamboo.

Cellulose napkin

Made from natural raw materials and meets all quality and safety standards.

The main advantage of this napkin is its high hygroscopicity, which allows it to absorb and retain large amounts of moisture. It is also worth noting that without water, the napkin becomes hard and dry, this prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Mainly used for collecting liquids, as well as wet cleaning of any type. Easily collects dust from smooth surfaces without damaging them. Thanks to its structure, it does not leave lint or dust behind, which makes cleaning more thorough.

Washable with a light rinse in soapy water.

There is no need to rub this napkin too hard!

Use only when wet!

Do not twist the “rag” when dry, otherwise it will easily collapse!

Microfiber cloth

Made of synthetic material which includes polyester and polyamide.

The main advantage is the special weaving of this material. The thinnest threads in the material allow you to penetrate into the smallest recesses and clean them. Gently polishes the surface without leaving behind a speck of dust. Absorbs moisture well. Ideal for both dry and wet cleaning.

Such “rags” are divided among themselves:

a) by density;

b) along the length of the pile;

The scope of application will depend on such characteristic features.

For example, short or no pile will resemble velvet and be used for polishing and cleaning glass. Such napkins will not leave streaks and lint behind.

Long pile is well suited for dry cleaning; dust will be retained in the fibers and not fly away in different directions. Such napkins are often called “vacuum cleaners”.

Wipes with a high density will absorb moisture well, which will be an excellent property for a floor rag or for wet cleaning.

And the main advantage is durability. This napkin can be washed in a machine or by hand with the addition of detergent at a temperature of 60 degrees; if more thorough disinfection is necessary, it is recommended to increase the degree to 95. Drying on heating devices is not recommended.

Viscose

Made from natural compressed wood pulp residues. A universal cleaning cloth for every day.

The main advantage is the low price. Initially, it was assumed that such a napkin would be disposable, because when wet it quickly loses its strength and can easily tear. This differs from bamboo, cellulose and microfiber cloths.

Another advantage is the absence of electrostatics, which is well suited for dry cleaning of household appliances.

Napkins with perforations have performed well; this type absorbs moisture better and absorbs less unpleasant odors.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a high-tech and natural material that has high throughput. Thanks to these features, this material absorbs dirt well and easily releases it when washed.

Bamboo wipes are well suited for dry and wet cleaning equally. They do not leave behind streaks or dust particles and have good absorption.

They are most often used in the kitchen, as they perfectly remove greasy stains and do not retain unpleasant odors after washing. Also suitable for washing dishes without using detergent.

Bamboo is a fairly durable material, so these napkins can last a long time, withstanding approximately 500 washes.

Another advantage is that bamboo fiber has good antimicrobial properties and does not rot, so this napkin will last a very long time.

A set of high-quality “helpers” for cleaning has been purchased; all that remains is to find out what kind of work they can be used for so that the result pleases you:

1. Floor

. For wet cleaning of the floor, you can use viscose and microfiber cloths; they absorb moisture well and do not leave behind any streaks or dirt.

2. Furniture

. Microfiber cloths, both dry and wet, are well suited for cleaning any surface. Cellulose wipes will also cope well with dust (if your surface requires wet cleaning).

3. Tile and plumbing

. This is where cellulose does the best job. It will delicately remove soap and limescale deposits without damaging the surface itself.

4. Glass and mirrors

. A microfiber cloth with short or no lint will help you achieve extreme cleanliness and transparency.

5. Technique

. A viscose napkin will help to remove dust from technical equipment, as it is made of natural material and does not conduct static voltage.

6. Kitchen.

To remove grease stains, it is best to use a bamboo or cellulose cloth.

Conclusion: the key to quality cleaning is the correct selection of products and knowledge of their area of ​​application. Multifunctional wipes will help get rid of hard-to-reach stains, won’t leave behind streaks, and will efficiently polish any surface. The main rule to remember is that napkins need to be changed as they become dirty, so as not to harm yourself and the health of your loved ones.

What napkins do you buy for decoupage?

There are three types of suitable napkins: three-layer, four-layer and special. Let's see how they differ from each other.

Regular three-layer

The first option is the most common - we buy these products for the table in whole packs. Their size is usually 33x33 cm². Very often you come across beautiful holiday-themed drawings. The downside is that the picture will be the same throughout the entire package; packs with four pictures (5 pieces each) are less common.

The packaging is inexpensive, it’s especially good to practice with pictures like this PHOTO: happymodern.ru

Four-layer “handkerchiefs”

Such handkerchiefs can be bought in a craft store or in large chain stores. The size of the product is 21×21 cm². Here, too, the same pattern may be found in the packaging, but with different sizes. This option is suitable for decorating a collection in a single style.

The plots are very different PHOTO: livemaster.ru

Special

Manufacturers have realized their benefits from creating materials for decoupage and offer a wide range of themed products of proper quality.

The pattern is located on a quarter of the napkin and is repeated 4 times, and can be made in a mirror. There are paired motifs (2+2), a motif repeated twice, two different motifs, one image on the whole scarf.

The quality of special cards for decoupage is high and most suitable. The drawings are clear and bright, the edges do not bleed, and the final work looks flawless.

This is how amazing products are created PHOTO: happymodern.ru

Usage

It is clear that serving napkins are used for serving. However, they can easily find their place under small household appliances, for example, a coffee maker, or even be used as a substrate for cat and dog bowls - this can significantly simplify cleaning up food spilled by pets and protect the floor from splashed or spilled water.

And bright napkins are a good addition to gifts for relatives on small holidays, especially since they will definitely find use in the household.

Various solutions of napkins for decoupage

Handicraft stores always have a wide selection. In addition, you can order the desired plot in an online store, directly from the manufacturer, although this option is the most difficult for retail purchase. It all depends on what should be depicted and in what color schemes.

All images are divided into background, plain and collages, drawings.

Plain napkins themselves provide a background for various works. Such products are called plain rice paper and are often sold individually.

Background images contain small repeating images PHOTO: hobbyland.kz

Conclusion

To avoid mistakes when choosing paper napkins, you need to be guided by a mini-plan, the essence of which is to clearly understand for whom and what the item is intended for. There is no clear answer to the question of which product is better to buy. You need to compare several models, or better yet try them in action.

Table - “Popular paper napkins of 2021”

Note! Openwork napkins are several times more expensive than regular ones, but there are many ways to beautifully fold an ordinary paper napkin so that it looks decent on the holiday table. Folding should be carried out with clear recommendations, confirmed by photos. There are a lot of ideas on the Internet on how to fold a regular white or colored napkin and please your loved ones with an unusual solution.

Advantages and disadvantages

It’s even strange to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of decoupage napkins, since this is the basis of the technique. Depending on what your soul wants, they acquire thematic, stylized images that suit a specific style. Who wants a marine theme, who wants a New Year's or children's theme: the assortment is truly large.

You can choose bright colorful images PHOTO: decor-hobby.ru

The thickness of such napkins is small, which allows them to merge with the surface. Cards or office paper will be much more difficult to hide.

The shortcomings of the products are striking: the plot is sometimes cut off or it is simply inconvenient to divide it into fragments. You have to somehow get out. In addition, not every manufacturer understands the importance of the absence of extraneous background.

The size of the products is fixed, this also brings its own difficulties PHOTO: exchange-for-you.blogspot.com

If you need to repeat the work, but there is no similar pattern in the house, you will have to turn everything upside down in your search: from the nearest stores to online resources. Alternatively, you can scan the image in advance.

Problems often arise with the dotted background: it differs from the brush strokes, so you have to remove it completely or sketch it out.

It can be difficult for beginners to get used to delicate paper work - sometimes the folds get in the way, sometimes the paper breaks PHOTO: postila.ru

Related article:

Decoupage for beginners: step by step from a photo of a bottle to furniture decor. This decor is especially popular when creating items in a vintage style. In the article we will look at detailed photo instructions for decoupage: furniture, on glass from napkins, on a box.

How wet wipes are made

The production process is very simple and consists of the following stages:

• cutting;
• formation;
• hydration;
• folding;
• package.

All operations are carried out using an automatic line, which provides a full production cycle and eliminates contact of materials with personnel and the environment. All workers are dressed in sterile clothing, gloves, and shoe covers. Hermetic packaging reliably protects products from harmful microorganisms. This ensures compliance with hygienic requirements, which is especially important in this type of product.

Medical and baby wipes are subject to increased requirements; certification is required for them.

Choosing napkins for decoupage

It is always worth purchasing such products with a reserve. One copy may break or fail to adhere, in which case you can use a reserve. If everything works out the first time, you can exchange the remaining napkins with similar craftsmen or decorate something else.

The first jobs can be simple PHOTO: vplate.ru

Preference should be given to a rice base; such paper will lie in a perfectly even layer on any object.

When you want to take a complex plot, think about how exactly you will use it, whether it will be convenient to work with.

Equipment for the production of napkins

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To organize the production process, one automated line with a saturation chamber, a cutting knife and a packaging and sealing knife is sufficient. Such a line fully meets the needs of the technological process and its control at all stages.

Mainly, equipment manufacturers are China and Turkey, and to a lesser extent Russia and Ukraine. There is one significant drawback - the rather high price. The most minimal line with a productivity of 20 packages per minute costs 20-25 thousand dollars. A 12-stream high-power line costs about 250 thousand dollars.

To save money at the start, you can purchase used equipment; it will be much cheaper. Beginning entrepreneurs often rent equipment with subsequent purchase, this allows them to start production with minimal investment.

Working moments: techniques for gluing napkins

The task is to glue only the top layer with the image, which is complicated by its thinness and literally translucency. Applying two layers at once is out of the question. Napkins are glued in different ways: using the file method, fan brush and glue stick.

Advice! Before application, it is better to treat the surface with white primer or white paint, otherwise the design will look faded.

Easiest way: file method

A universal solution is to paste the picture using a regular transparent file. This is how any surface is decorated, including flat, embossed and even the edges of an object.

In addition to the layer with the pattern and the file, they use a brush, PVA glue, and water.

The work is not difficult. Just a little attention and effort PHOTO: salfetka-shop.ru

We place the napkin on the film with the pattern down to decorate an opaque item, and with the pattern up to decorate glass. Pour water onto the product so that the paper “floats”. This will make it easier to smooth out creases and straighten edges. After everything has been smoothed out, the water needs to be drained.

The file must be placed on the object, the position must be adjusted and any air bubbles trapped inside must be expelled. At this stage it’s too early to remove the file!

We slowly remove the film from the corner, the napkin remains on the object PHOTO: m.youtube.com

Now we coat the picture with PVA glue, in the direction from the center to the edges, but do not apply any effort - the image can be torn. We wait for the drawing to dry and sand it with sandpaper (No. 1200). Then apply two layers of acrylic varnish.

Method two: application with a fan brush

For some reason, diligent people really like this option.

Fan brush PHOTO: easycrafts.ru

You need to apply a napkin to the object being treated and drip water in the center to make a puddle. Now the fan brush begins to radially disperse the water. If necessary, add water. The pattern is even lifted by the edges, which helps straighten out all the folds. This method is suitable if the surface is convex or concave - the napkin receives the desired degree of stretch.

Glue stick and iron work

For the plane, you can use a regular glue stick, but a special decoupage one is better. Carefully place the pattern on the greased area, cover with baking paper and iron with a heated iron. The glue will set under the influence of heat and stick the image to itself.

Glue for decoupage was specially developed PHOTO: krasniykarandash.ru

Popular models of baby paper napkins for 2021

The main criteria for choosing wipes for children are the natural composition of the fabric, bright packaging and the presence of flavoring (optional). The popularity of models in this category among the population was gained by the following products:

• "Zewa";
• "Shuang Xiong";
• "Family and comfort."

Model "Kids" from

Purpose: for a child.

Square white paper napkins in cardboard packaging, which is subsequently assembled into a 3D picture. You can choose from a horse, a cat or a mouse. The composition of the scarves is gentle on the skin, odorless, and approved by European dermatologists.

Note! This development is domestic, but produced abroad.

Design solutions for “Kids” napkins from

Main characteristics:

paper napkins Kids Zewa

Advantages:

• package design;
• inexpensive;
• safe;
• soft;
• for any gender;
• durable.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Model "Princess" from

Purpose: holidays, for girls.

Product with a pattern for children's holiday gatherings. Each scarf depicts attributes from the fairy tale “Cinderella”: a carriage, a dress, a mirror, a pair of bells, and a handbag. The product will delight you not only with its colors, but also with its tactile sensation.

Design of napkins "Princess" from

Main characteristics:

Shuang Xiong napkins Princess

Advantages:

• bright appearance;
• durable;
• copes well with the task;
• You can wipe the table.

Flaws:

• only for girls.

Model "Children" from

Purpose: for special children's events, daily use.

Simple napkins with patterns of pets and birds will delight boys and girls of various age groups. The contents of the package are natural, without flavorings. The thickness of the cloth allows you to clean your hands or face of dirt once. The packaging is made of polypropylene. If you fold the napkin, you can increase the time it is used.

Drawing on handkerchiefs "Children's" from

Main characteristics:

Baby wipes Family and comfort

Advantages:

• beautiful;
• cheap;
• nominal volume;
• harmless.

Flaws:

• thin: they tear quickly.

We decorate different surfaces using decoupage method

You can create something beautiful on any surface of any object. Do you have an old teapot that you plan to use as part of your decor? Excellent, metal can also be processed using the decoupage technique. An old book, tables and chairs, chests of drawers, glass, wooden products - decoupage can be used everywhere.

Wood and metal

The wooden surface must be pre-treated. You will need to sand the product with fine-grained sandpaper. This will eliminate roughness and nicks. After finishing the work, the dust is cleaned off, and the surface is primed and varnished.

The result is original things PHOTO: koffkindom.ru

If necessary, varnishing and sanding are repeated. Then the image is superimposed and glued.

Working with metal is a little different. The surface of the object is degreased with an alcohol solution; there is no need to sand anything! The surface, as in the case of wood, is covered with a layer of acrylic primer. After drying, the base is covered with an even layer of paint. Wait for it to dry, apply a new layer across the previous one, dry it and repeat the process.

Now they do regular decoupage PHOTO: livemaster.ru

Glass, ceramics and plastic

Decoupage designs are also applied to glass bottles. More often than not, the result is amazing work - a simple bottle turns into a work of art!

You can create a themed bottle PHOTO: interesnoerukodelie.ru

The item is washed, degreased, primed and varnished. As soon as the varnish layer dries, you need to work a little with sandpaper. After this, they move directly to gluing the napkin or part of it. The dried image is varnished in several layers.

It is possible to complete the background PHOTO: mir-handmade.in.ua

With ceramics and plastic they do the same thing: the main thing is to eliminate a perfectly flat surface by working with sandpaper and primer.

Beautiful, a wonderful keepsake PHOTO: vishivashka.ru

Be creative, let your imagination help you, giving you new and fresh ideas!

Wet wipes with logo

Along with the release of your own products, you can take orders from third parties for the production of branded napkins. This type of product is now in great demand in hotels, restaurants, and cafes. And some companies make branded gifts for employees and clients in this way.

If you intend to dive deeply into this type of business, it would be advisable to hire a graphic designer who will create unique new models for both napkins and packaging. Over time, this type of income may become the main one or take a significant place in the total volume of production.

Who invented wet wipes

The idea was truly brilliant! Who first came up with it?

We read the answer on Wikipedia: wet wipes appeared in the early 70s, and the first manufacturer was the Kimberly-Clark company.

According to another version, wet wipes were invented by JHThompson.

Since then, wet wipes have become firmly rooted in the everyday life of all countries and peoples, and every year their production and range are expanding more and more.

Approximate calculation of a business plan

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Start-up costs will be 2.15 million rubles.

Professional business plans on the topic:

• Business plan for the production of wet wipes (39 sheets) - DOWNLOAD ⬇
• Spunbond business plan (35 sheets) - DOWNLOAD ⬇
• Business plan for the production of toilet paper (36 sheets) - DOWNLOAD ⬇

The line capacity is 20 packages, 20 pieces per minute. During a work shift we will produce 20x60x6=7200 packs. For a month with 22 working days 158400 pack.

When purchasing in bulk, the average price of one package is 15 rubles. During the month, products were produced for 15x158400 = 2.376 million rubles.

Business registration

Since napkin manufacturers mostly focus on working with large wholesale clients, the best organizational and legal form will be an LLC. This will provide legal entities with the most comfortable conditions for cooperation.

The most suitable OKVED code for work is 17.22 “Production of paper products for household, sanitary and hygienic purposes.

When conducting business, you should be guided by the requirements established by GOST R52354-2005.

Also, to start production, it is necessary to obtain permits of the established form from the fire inspectorate, Rospotrebnadzor and the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station.

It would not be amiss to have a clear idea of ​​the product positioning at the initial stage: budget (mass) or premium class, the number of products in the package (the most common options for regular napkins are 50 and 100 pieces; for multi-layer and handkerchiefs - 10, 30, 50 pieces), name, logo, packaging design, etc. If an entrepreneur does not have experience in developing marketing strategies, it is better to contact a specialized company.

It will take 3-4 months to complete documents and obtain permits.

Requirements for organizing a workshop

To organize the production of paper napkins, a building or workshop located in the industrial zone of the city is optimal. In this case, it is desirable that a raw material manufacturer, for example, a cardboard and paper factory, be located within comfortable logistics reach.

Among the mandatory requirements for a paper napkin production plant:

• area of ​​at least 200 m²;
• division into zones - production, administrative and household, for storing products and raw materials;
• connection of water supply networks (with hot and cold water), sewerage (with waste discharge to the floor), industrial ventilation, heating, 380 V power supply;
• finishing the walls with tiles or other non-flammable, easy-to-clean material;
• ceiling height from 3 m or more;
• compliance with established fire safety standards and SES requirements.

When choosing a premises, it is necessary to carefully calculate the costs of rent, payment of utility bills, as well as repair and finishing activities. Having found a suitable workshop, it is advisable to immediately contact the State Fire Inspectorate and the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in order to find out the requirements that the inspection inspectors of the relevant authorities will subsequently make.