How would I go about gluing paper to a table/desk?

I bought a plain desk and I want to decorate it by gluing a pretty decorative paper onto it. I just don't know what kind of glue to use and how to do it.

Paper will tear, smudge, etc.
You might want to use wall paper, or contact paper for kitchen shelves so you can wash it with a cloth.

How about you paint it with a semi-gloss white you like and then detail it with decorations you like along the boarders?
You can find lots of stencils at your local hardware megastore or you can print your stencils of designs from the internet.
Have fun. Sounds like a great project.

No offense but I wouldn't. I do have a suggestion however.

Measure the Top, purchase a piece of clear plexi cut to fit, then decorate as you wish, with the plexi keeping the deco in place, and protecting both the deco and the top.

At some point you might change your mind?, lift the plexi and change the deco.

Steven Wolf

clear elmers glue, using a small roller...then you will need to apply poly over it, and do several coats of the poly.

it is a very easy project

contact paper

glue on with 3m spray all purpose adhesive. then coat with at least 3 coats polyrethene

what you want to do is called Decoupage. i'm not going to go thru the whole process because there are may sites online that explain how to do it. basically you use a white glue (elmers will work) or a special decoupage glue and coat both sides of the paper well. you will want to put some kind of finish on top of the paper such as a polyurethane.

have fun.