Can I pour epoxy over photos or decoupaged paper, and what are the steps?

Yes, and UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy is the product to use; sealing photos, clippings, and printed art onto wood is a common project among our customers. The full process:

1. Glue the items down with Elmer's glue so they can't move. 2. Brush Mod Podge over all the photos and paper so the epoxy can't soak into them. Mod Podge dries clear. Let it dry for at least 24 hours. 3. Brush on a seal coat of epoxy. Wood is porous, so the seal coat is still required even if the paper was decoupaged with Mod Podge. Mix up to a quart per batch; a quart brushed on covers roughly 12 sq. ft. Some surfaces need 2 seal coats, spaced 4 to 6 hours apart. 4. Pour the flood coat 4 to 6 hours after the last seal coat. If more than 10 hours pass, scuff the surface with 220 or 320 grit sandpaper, wipe it with denatured alcohol or acetone (never paint thinner) until all dust is gone, then pour. The new coat fills the scratches and cures clear.

Don't substitute water-based polyurethane for the Mod Podge; epoxy can't bond to it. Epoxy can go over oil-based polyurethane, but photo paper, prints, and decals still need Mod Podge on top. For a clear layer over white paint, use UltraClear Art & Craft Epoxy.

Mod Podge: https://www.bestbartopepoxy.com/collections/tools-supplies/products/mod-podge Coverage calculator: https://www.bestbartopepoxy.com/pages/epoxy-calculator