The Home of Card Making, Scrapbooking, Hobbyists, Custom Designs
&
Scrapbooking Craft Retreats.
&
Scrapbooking Craft Retreats.
If you have ever stood in front of the glue shelf feeling completely overwhelmed, you are not alone. Choosing an adhesive should not feel harder than the project itself, but sometimes it does. That is why I thought I would share a few favourites, a few lessons learned, and a couple of tips that might just save you from wrinkled paper, lifting corners, or sticky fingers.
My Personal Go-To
If you have crafted with me in the shop, you have probably seen this bottle more than once. Art Glitter Glue is my everyday, trusted adhesive. It is smooth, easy to control, and you do not need much at all. Because it is thinner, it spreads cleanly across cardstock without soaking the paper and causing buckling.
Yes, it sits at the higher price point, but you truly use less of it. Most of the ladies at our craft tables quickly fall in love with it, and even Tim, when he worked on his anniversary album, used it for nearly every page.
If you are looking for something a little more affordable, Aleene’s has always been a solid choice. It is thicker than Art Glitter Glue, which means you will use a bit more, and it does not flow quite as delicately, but it still holds beautifully.
Years ago, before Art Glitter Glue became our standard, we would simply decant Aleene’s into a smaller bottle and water it down slightly. It worked just fine, especially for lighter cardstock projects.
This one sits comfortably between the two. The price is gentler than Art Glitter Glue, and the consistency is closer, though still not quite as thin. If someone needs something like the good stuff but cannot stretch the budget that week, this is usually what I recommend.
Some crafters prefer double-sided tape, especially for cards. It gives a clean finish and there is no drying time, which is a blessing when you are working with folds, layers, borders, and interactive card fronts.
My preferred brand is House of Paper because the adhesive is strong, reliable, and it simply lasts. If it is worth making, it is worth making to last.
Here is the part most beginners do not know
Double-sided tape needs pressure to bond.
Just a gentle press with your fingertip or a quick burnish with a bone folder is enough. That tiny moment makes all the difference between tidy corners and peeling ones.
If you have ever bought cheap glue and watched your paper wrinkle, I know exactly why. Lower-grade adhesives contain more water, which means your cardstock absorbs it and warps. It is not that you did anything wrong. The product simply was not built for paper craft.
The shelves are full of choices, and not all adhesives suit every project. If you are ever unsure, pop into the shop at Sensational Crafts.
We are always happy to talk through what you are making and help you choose what fits, whether that is gluing layers in a scrapbook or adding photos to your family album.
If you are local, you can even try a little before you buy. Sometimes feeling the flow of the glue, or seeing how cleanly a tape releases, tells you more than any label ever could.
Our shop is here for advice, not just supplies.
Happy crafting
Yvonne 💜
