Simply learn a few tips and start putting in your innovations. Note that if you purchasing your resources from the online vendors, be cautious of poor quality/frauds and see to it that there is some refund guarantee. When you use photographs and images for it and need a rich black effect on the image, you can do so, using a color photocopier. The percentage of enlargement or reduction can give the image, a symmetric design. So you can also consider this option for the effects of your choice. Always lay out the photograph to create the effect you desire, before applying any glue to them. A picture can be decoupaged for furniture, boxes, mirrors and vases and a well laid out photograph would always present a better effect. A sand paper can be used to do the sanding but in case you require the product to have a more finished look, you can also use extra fine steel wool to sand. Some people use cotton swabs to apply glue. Although cotton swaps are inexpensive but they are too delicate and they often break while using therefore its recommended that you but a small paintbrush to apply glue. If you are thinking of decoupaging a wooden object, remember to sand it before use. Because wooden objects have varnish applied on them and glue won't just adhere to it. Hence sanding is very essential before starting the work. There are two kinds of varnish that you can use: Plaid Royal Coat Antique Finish, and Mod Podge Gloss-Lustre. Both items are widely available and at Hampton Photo Arts in Brigehampton, NY.Your decoupage item can last for a long time, if taken proper care. As soon as to find some dent in your object repair it immedaitely otherwise that would spread and soon your artwork would degrade In case only the varnish has scraped, sand it and apply another coat of varnish or just add a drop of it there. But id some paper piece has chipped off you will need to reapint it either by using a china graph pencil or paint brush. In case worse than this has happened, it can still be repaired. You must always keep some photocopies of your picture in store, which can be used to correct these repairs. Cut the required portion of the picture which has ripped off and stick it at that place. Apply coats of varnish and your object is redone. Once you have selected your surface, it needs to be prepared. You got to do cleaning and sanding before actually getting on with your cut pieces. In case you are working on a wooden background, and you want it have that stained effect, you can use water based or an alcohol based wood stain. Avoid using oil stains because that would show off on your finished product.