What Is the Best Glue for Card Making and Junk Journals?
Hi friends,
"Which glue should I use?" is one of the questions I hear most from card makers and junk journalers. This month a card maker asked for an adhesive that dries clear and matte, gives her a little wiggle room, and doesn't warp her paper. Another crafter found that her glue stick would not hold a candy wrapper in her junk journal.
There isn't one perfect glue. There is a best glue for each job. Once you match the glue to what you are sticking down, most of the frustration goes away.
The short answer is to use a tape runner for flat paper layers, a fine-tip liquid glue or glue pen for small die cuts, foam tape or foam dots to lift a layer, a strong clear-drying glue for chunky embellishments, and a matte medium for rice paper and napkins.
How to pick the right glue in 5 steps
Step 1. Use a tape runner for flat paper layers
For card fronts, mats and layers of patterned paper, a tape runner is quick and dry. There is no waiting and no warping. Run it around the edges, then add an X through the middle of bigger pieces so the corners don't lift. The Scrapbook Adhesives E-Z Runner Grand holds 150 feet of strong double-sided adhesive and handles straight lines and curves.
Step 2. Use a fine-tip liquid glue for small die cuts
Thin script words, tiny leaves and fussy cut flowers need a little glue in exactly the right spot. Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue, The Original comes with precision tips, dries clear, and is made to keep paper smooth with less warping and wrinkling. Because it is a wet glue, you have a moment to nudge a piece into place before it sets.
For the very smallest bits, the Tombow Mono Glue Pen puts down a pin point of acid-free glue. The Zig 2-Way Glue Pen goes on blue and dries clear. Press your piece down right away for a permanent hold, or let the glue dry first and it works like a sticky note.
Step 3. Use foam tape or foam dots to lift a layer
To pop a sentiment or focal image up off the card, reach for foam. Scrapbook Adhesives Crafty Foam Tape comes on a roll you cut to any length, and it won't crush or melt when you heat emboss. 3D Pop Dots, White give you 576 small round dots, which are handy under little pieces. Stack two layers when you want more lift.
Step 4. Use a strong glue or glue dots for chunky embellishments
Chipboard, wood pieces, buttons and metal charms need more grab than tape can give. Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive dries clear. Lay your project flat and let it dry for 24 hours. Aleene's Original Tacky Glue is a thrifty classic that holds wood, metal, fabric and most plastics. When you don't want to wait at all, a Glue Dot holds a button or bow right away.
Step 5. Use a matte medium for rice paper and napkins
Thin papers wrinkle and tear with regular glue. Brush a thin layer of Stamperia Rice Paper Glue on your surface, lay the rice paper down, and smooth it with a soft brush from the center out. It is thick and dries matte. Distress Collage Medium, Matte glues and seals paper, fabric, chipboard and metal, and dries quickly to a matte finish, so you can brush it over the top too.
What about candy wrappers and plastic packaging? Glue sticks won't grip slick plastic. Try a very sticky double-sided tape like Scor-Tape, a Glue Dot, or Aleene's Tacky Glue, which holds most plastics. Test a small corner first.
Tips and mistakes to avoid
Use less wet glue than you think. Spread a thin layer out to the edges. Big drops squish out and show.
Put your card under a heavy book while liquid glue dries. It keeps the paper flat.
Hide your adhesive on vellum and acetate. Tape shows through, so put it under a sentiment or embellishment.
Test a new glue on a scrap of the same paper before you use it on your project.
Wipe the tip of liquid glue and put the cap back on after each use so it doesn't clog.
For photos and pages you want to keep, choose acid-free adhesives. Bearly Art, the Tombow glue pen, Scor-Tape, Glue Dots and Distress Collage Medium all say acid free.
Supplies I like for this
Here is everything from this guide in one place. Click any photo to see the details.
For paper layers and plastic
Scor-Tape, 1/2 inch, $10.49
For tiny pieces
Tombow Mono Glue Pen, $4.09
Zig 2-Way Glue Pen, $8.99
For lift and dimension
3D Pop Dots, White, $5.13
For chunky embellishments
Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive, $5.78
Aleene's Original Tacky Glue, $1.78
Glue Dots Removable Dots, $5.33
For rice paper and collage
Stamperia Rice Paper Glue, $6.69
If you are only going to buy two, start with a tape runner and a fine-tip liquid glue. Those two cover most cards and journal pages, and you can add foam and a matte medium as your projects grow.
US orders of $60 or more ship free, and orders under $60 ship for $6.99.
If you have a glue question I didn't cover, leave a comment and I'll answer it.
Happy crafting,
Kim
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