Guest Author - Vivienne Oestergaard
With paper, comes glue. This would probably be the second most important component of papercrafting. You’ve seen that wall of glues at the craft shops. What glue with what application? Here’s an overview on the different types available. I have purposely not used brand names as it varies country to country. Look at the chemical name for exact products.
The most popular would be the ordinary household white glue, which dries clear. In the US, Elmer’s Glue is the general all purpose glue perfect for paper, textiles, and leather. Great for porous and non-porous items but not a strong bonding type of glue, so it’s perfect for the quick fix or for projects not requiring strength.
Tacky glue is thicker than white glue and is permanent when dry.
Gluesticks are fantastic for paper projects. It’s easy to apply, doesn’t make a mess so cleanup is quick, and dries clear. You can get a gluestick which applies in purple but dries clear. Glue sticks are available as acid free perfect for scrapbooking. You can also get this as a pen for precise placement, especially for glitter!
Glue dots come on a roll like tape in small circular globs useful in dimensional projects.
Sticker glue is perfect for papercrafting. A brand such as Xyron makes a machine where you roll the paper item in and when it comes out, a thin sheet of glue is adhered onto the back side of it. It makes any paper piece into a sticker. Xyron makes a large, medium, and small unit in which you then purchase rolls of the sticker glue replacements.
Bookbinding glue is a transparent PVA glue made for books. It has the correct texture and consistency for working specifically with books and papers. It comes in tubs for easy application with a brush.
Hot glue is a glue that comes in stick form requiring a heating machine to form the hot liquid glue. There are various types for various projects and also high, medium and low temperature varieties.
For decoupage and some other paper crafts it’s Mod Podge. This is a brand of glue/varnish used for decoupage that not only adheres the paper but creates a gloss or matte finish.
Super glue or cyanoacrylat glue is a plastic glue with a super strong bond. It can be used on resin, photoetched details, metals and most fabrics. Be careful that you not bond your fingers together!
Polyvinyl Acetate/PVA or carpenter’s white glue is perfect for wood and paper. It is non dissolving so it works well on Styrofoam. It does not have a strong bond so it’s not useful for plastic or metal.
Contact glue is one where you apply the glue on the two separate pieces, allow it to dry, and then bring the pieces together. It bonds on contact and is permanent, so there is no room for mistakes. It is also highly flammable, water and heat proof. Use on wood, paper, rubber, stone, leather, but not plastic.
So, different glues for different projects. My favorite? The gluestick and a common household glue that I found in Japan. It’s a thick tacky glue that dries clear. I like it for it’s tackiness and that it comes in a tub. I have a thing for using my fingers and this is perfect for my way of crafting.
