If you’re new to scrapbooking, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what kind of adhesive to use on your pages.  The market is full of all kinds of innovative options, and some of them really are superior to others.  For the purpose of this post, we’ll stick to the basics. Adhesives can be separated into two groups wet & dry.  Some of the most common adhesives used for scrapbooking are dry adhesives such as:  tabs, photo corners, dots, foam, glue sticks/pens, adhesive sheets & runners. 

Tabs – these are double sided square shaped pieces of tape. There’s not much to say about these except that they are simple to work with, and work really well, because they can be used for photos or flat embellishments.  These are technically permanent.

 Photo Corners- these are used to position and hold journaling, photos, or anything that has a right angle edge. They are self-adhesive , and you attach them to your pages, while the object you are working with is held under the corner itself. It’s a nice way to frame objects, or create a bit of dimension on the page, and they are available in various colors and designs. These are often used with original photos, since no adhesive ever touches the photo itself. 

 Dots -Adhesive dots are double-sided gel-like circles of various sizes. They are peeled from a sheet or roll, and are great for attaching embellishments that would not hold with conventional glue. Larger dots can hold things like buttons, bottlecaps, or even ribbons. These work really well for sticking items to mats.

Foam -These are factory cut double-sided foam that are fabulous for creating a real 3D appearance to a page. The work well on your titles, or for die cuts. They are generally packaged in various shapes, but also come in the form of a tape that allows you to cut the desired length or shape that you want. These are my favorite. A great use for these is if you have a duplicate photo; you can cut out a portion of the second photo, and use two layers of these foam dots to adhere the cut out on top of the original photo (example cut out a birthday cake or gift, and use the foam to make the cake appear to jump off the page). Email me for better instructions.

Sprays -These are great for making cards with vellum overlays or transparent sections. This adhesive dries clear, so there’s no evidence of it on the finished project. It can be used with regular paper as well, but because it tends to be a bit more expensive, it is usually reserved for items requiring flawless attachment.  This is considered a wet adhesive, but is does have some flexibility until it actually dries.  It provides a light even coverage, but should be used in well-ventilated areas. Another wet adhesive would be rubber cement which is available in an acid-free version, but I would not recommend using it on your layouts. Wet adhesives come in handy for adhering small items or anything that requires precision, because you control the amount you need, and they dry clear.

Glue Sticks/Pens-  AAAhhhh  the infamous glue stick.  This particular adhesive always gets mixed reviews. They are very economical, and they do the job, however anyone who has used them has to admit that after a period of time, the objects end up lifting off of the pages, or the page itself becomes wrinkled. Aside from that, they end up being messy even in the most experienced hands.  In terms of scrapbooking, they are probably better reserved for children, or projects that are not intended to withstand the test of time.   The Pens do come in handy for adhering beads, fibers, and other tiny objects, so there is a place & time for these.

Sheets – adhesive sheets are great items for scrapbooking.  They can be used to create your own stickers, or they can be used as an alternative to sprays if you are trying to adhere a large surface. They are found in two different forms. The one that is intended for use in the common sticker maker machines is found on a roll.

Runners – Tape  runners are the most common form of adhesive associated with scrapbooking. In my opinion, they are the most appropriate even for regular projects, but they have the potential to be wasted in the wrong hands. These are definitely not for use by children without supervision. They are fun to use, and very easy to manage, but once again, are easy to waste.  When applied, it can either appear clear, or some have tiny double sided adhesive white strips or blue dots on the tape.  They are usually refillable, but they are not cheap. Runners can be used without fear of wrinkled paper, or having items fall off the page down the road.

Hermafix - This type of runner  is repositionable for several hours before becoming a permanent bond. It’s the top of the line in terms of runners because of it’s flexibility in use. It’s great for scrappers who like to leave their projects out, and return after finding new inspiration.

Take Home Lesson For Today: there is a great range in products on the market, Choose based not only on budget, but also intended use. Consider position able, or permanent, how heavy is the  item being attached, is the object an original, and how long is the project intended to last.  Make sure the adhesive clearly states photo-safe or acid-free on the label.

TLC offers poppin foam squares, 3L disposable EZ runner dispenser, Hermafix refillable preloaded temporary adhesive, & Scotch brand Vellum tape.

Until the next time,

Wishing you cherished moments

Scrapbook Artistry -Your Independent TLC Consultant