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if you want a cleaner finish. Wood sealant smooths out the wood surface and prevents air bubbles from forming under the paper. Start by sanding the wood until the surface is smooth. Then paint it with a polyurethane wood sealant and let it dry. This will give you a cleaner finish when you glue the paper down. This step is optional, but it will give you better results. Once the glue is applied, take the paper and line it up with the wood. Then press it down at an angle so only one edge of the paper and wood touch. From there, run your palm across the paper to press it against the wood. Apply pressure as you press to work out any air bubbles. Continue smoothing the paper out until the surface is flat and even. If you see any bubbles trapped under the paper, press down on them with your palm and work them towards the edges. Once the paper is in place, give the glue time to dry. Tacky glue dries quickly, often within a few minutes, so 1 hour is enough to for the glue to dry. Set the piece in a safe place and come back in 1 hour to complete the job. To ensure an even smoother finish, place something flat and heavy on top of the paper. Another piece of wood with some books on it would work. Make sure any wood you place on the paper is clean so you don't ruin the piece you just made. Sometimes the paper still doesn't line up perfectly even though you traced the wood. In this case, use a fine-grit sanding block and sand down the paper edges. After a light sanding, the paper and wood will line up perfectly. If you don't have a sanding block or sandpaper, a fine nail file will work as well.
Seal the wood Press the paper against one edge of the wood and smooth it out. Let the glue dry for 1 hour. Sand the edges of the paper if it overshoots the wood.