Every Holiday with Evelyn Guide
Making Custom Templates with Press 'N Seal
An easy way to make custom paper templates for curved panels, trim, and other hard-to-fit areas on nutcrackers and blow molds.
What You'll Need
You only need a few simple supplies to get started.
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Why This Works
Press 'N Seal makes curved and uneven areas much easier to trace.
Press 'N Seal follows curves and molded details, so you can trace the shape directly from the project instead of guessing measurements.
How It Works
The process is simple: trace, transfer, cut, test, and attach.
Cover the Area
Tear off a piece of Press 'N Seal large enough to cover the full area.
Trace the Shape
Smooth it over the surface, then trace the area with a marker.
Move It to the Paper
Peel off the template and place it on the paper. Reposition it until the pattern looks right.
Cut Out the Piece
Cut around the traced shape while the Press 'N Seal is still attached.
Peel Up One Corner
Lift one small corner before the final cut so you have a tab to grab.
Test the Fit
Remove the template, place the paper on the project, and trim the edges as needed.
Attach with Mod Podge
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge, position the paper, and smooth it into place.
Seal the Top
Add a thin topcoat of Mod Podge and let it dry completely.
Do Not Skip This Small Step
Peel up one small corner of the Press 'N Seal before you finish cutting. That tab makes the template much easier to remove from the paper.
Use a piece large enough to extend past the area you are tracing. The extra space makes it easier to smooth, hold, and reposition.
Where This Hack Works Best
Use it anywhere a flat paper template is difficult to measure or fit.
Chest panels, clothing sections and decorative insets.
Places where a flat paper template will not sit correctly.
Center flowers, stripes or other details exactly where you want them.
Skip calculating angles and trace directly from the item.
Perfect for thin wrapping paper and decorative paper accents.
Save a clean template when you need to repeat the same shape.
Common Problems
The Paper Keeps Tearing
Use thin wrapping paper instead of tissue paper or another very delicate material.
The Piece Does Not Fit
Test it before adding Mod Podge. Trim tiny amounts from the edges until it sits cleanly.
The Paper Is Wrinkling
Use controlled layers of Mod Podge instead of flooding the paper. Smooth gently from the center outward.
The Pattern Looks Awkward
Check the pattern placement before cutting. Reposition the template to center a flower, line up stripes, or feature the part of the print you want.
I Cannot Remove the Press 'N Seal
Use the lifted corner trick next time. For the current piece, work slowly from one edge so you do not tear the paper.
Ready to Try It?
Try the method, then come show us what you made. Our communities are full of paper makeovers, painting ideas, and helpful project tips.