A Look at Matte vs Gloss Mod Podge Fall Leaves

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Matte vs. Gloss Mod Podge: Which is Best for Preserving Fall Leaves? Find the perfect finish for your autumn crafts in this tutorial!

Fall is such an amazing time of year, but it passes so quickly! The colorful leaves drop from the trees and turn brown in a matter of weeks.

If you want to preserve fall leaves so they stay colorful, look no further than Mod Podge – one of the quintessential craft supplies! We did a tutorial in the past, showing how to make DIY Mod Podge Leaves, and it is a crowd favorite.

Today, we are going to use the same method of preserving fall leaves with Mod Podge, but we are going to check out the difference between using Matte Mod Podge and Gloss Mod Podge to preserve the fall leaves. 

Which one will work better? How do the matte leaves look versus the gloss leaves, and vice versa?

Let’s dive in!

A Look at Matte vs Gloss Mod Podge Fall Leaves

Step 1. Gather Supplies.

Supplies Needed:

• Fall Leaves
• Mod Podge – Matte and Gloss
• Foam Paint Brushes
• Containers to hold Mod Podge
• Parchment Paper or Wax Paper

Step 2. Prepare the leaves for Mod Podge.

First, we pressed our leaves between the pages of a book so they would lay flat. (This is an optional step.)

Then we laid out the leaves onto parchment paper.

Step 3. Spread a layer of Mod Podge onto the leaves using a foam brush.

Half of the leaves got a layer of Matte Mod Podge.

For the other half of the leaves, we used Gloss Mod Podge to compare the two.

Step 4. Let the Mod Podge dry fully before flipping the leaves over.

Step 5. Flip the leaves over, and brush on a layer of Mod Podge to the other side.

Step 6. Brush an optional second layer of Mod Podge onto the front of the leaves for added protection.

Let dry.

Once the leaves are dry, they are done!

The Best Way to Use Mod Podge:

IMPORTANT NOTE: I forgot to do it this way in the photos above. But it is best practice to brush Mod Podge onto the BACK of the leaves (or whatever you are coating in Mod Podge) first.

If you do it this way, the process is this…

Starting with the Back using Mod Podge:

1. Brush Mod Podge on the backside.
2. Let dry.
3. Flip to the front.
4. Brush Mod Podge onto the front side.
5. Let dry.
6. Brush on one more coat to the front side, if desired.
7. Let dry.

You only have to flip the item once, and the top (which is the most important surface) will stay perfect, and won’t be smudged or smeared.

If you forget and start with the front side like I did, the process looks like this…

Starting with the Front using Mod Podge:

1. Brush Mod Podge on the front side.
2. Let dry.
3. Flip to the backside.
4. Brush Mod Podge onto the backside.
5. Let dry.
6. Flip back to the front side (and hope the front isn’t smudged or smeared.)
7. Brush one more layer onto the front if desired.
8. Let dry.

The leaf in the photo below is very shiny, from the Gloss Mod Podge.

The next photo below shows a leaf coated in Matte Mod Podge.

It is much less shiny, although it still does have a bit of a sheen and reflects some light.

Preserving leaves using Mod Podge is a great way to keep colorful fall leaves looking beautiful for years. 

Depending on your preference, you can use Matte or Gloss Mod Podge. Shiny or more matte, the choice is yours!