Best Tips For Card Making Adhesives

Having the right adhesives and knowing how to use them can make or break your paper crafting experience. I decided it was time to share some of my best tips for adhesives, all in one place. I started with the intention of sharing my five best tips, and the list kept growing…and growing. Keep reading for all of my best tips for card making adhesives!

Tape

The first rule of papercrafting – thou shalt find a tape runner you love. They are SO much quicker and easier than using double sided tape or glue sticks. I use my Seal+ most of the time, and I love it because it’s very strong and I only have to use a tiny bit in each corner. I also use Seal quite a bit. See my tips for using these two tape runners here.

Click for my 10 best tips for card making adhesives! Adhesives can make or break your paper crafting experience!

Attaching Detailed Die Cuts

An awesome way to adhere your delicate die cuts is to use a Silicone Craft Mat, along with a sponge and Multipurpose Glue, and sponge a thin layer of glue on the back of the die cut.

You can also use the Silicone Craft Mat with tape for delicate die cuts! Watch along with today’s video to see how.

The Fine Tip Glue Pen is great for detailed pieces as well, because it dispenses glue in a teeny tiny stream. When using this glue (shown below) just make sure you get the wire inserted back into the tip when you are done using it, as otherwise it will glue itself shut. If it does get glued shut, take a look at my tip here for removing the clog.

A bonus use for this glue is you can use it to create glossy accents on your project because it dries clear and glossy, not sticky! If you love the card shown here, get more details on it.

Adhesive Sheets are awesome tool! Just stick some of this to the back of your paper before you create the die cut, and it’s as easy to attach to your project as removing the release paper from the back of a sticker!

Do you ever apply adhesive before you’re done stamping on a piece of paper? Let’s talk about that next!

Did You Apply Adhesive Too Soon?

It never fails. I need to do more stamping and I realize I already put tape or dimensionals on the back of my paper. If you have tape on the back, you can just lay the piece on the Silicone Craft Mat, do your stamping, and then easily remove it to place on your project.

If you have foam dimensionals on the back and need to do more stamping, you have to be a little more creative to solve the problem. Here’s a way to fix it. Place a sheet or partial sheet of dimensionals underneath, so the entire piece is level and supported by dimensionals. Then do your stamping.

Best Glue!

As a paper crafter, you definitely need a glue that you love. This Multipurpose Glue is my favorite! I love that it begins to set up in just seconds, so I don’t have to hold pieces in place for a long time before letting go. It’s also the best glue for the sponging trick I shared at the top.

Glue Dots Are A Must Have

Glue Dots are…ESSENTIAL…for bows and other bulky items like buttons! They’re pre-dried sticky dots. Just place your bow against one of the glue dots while it is still on the roll, give it a press, and lift it away. Now it’s ready to stick on your project, and you won’t have to hold it in place and wait for glue to dry! I made a handy little dispenser for my Glue Dots, which helps a ton. See more about this here. See all of my best tips for Glue Dots here!

Is the Glue Dot too large for a twine bow? Just roll it up, kind of like a hot dog bun, and it will be the right size!

Get Glue Or Tape On Your Project?

If you have a bit of sticky on your project, just run over it with your Embossing Buddy. The powder will cling to it, and the stick will disappear. Learn how to make your own Embossing Buddy here.

Do you have a bit of glue or tape you need to remove from your project? An Adhesive Square will do the trick perfectly. Just rub back and forth with the corner of the square, and it will ball up the adhesive so you can pull it off. I found my Adhesive Square at the dollar store.

I have a couple more quick tips before we wrap this up!

Tape Isn’t Holding Your Project?

If you need something super-strong for a 3D card or treat box, Tear & Tape is what you need! I love it.

The All-Purpose Tool For Adhesives

The Take Your Pick tool serves all kind of purposes. I love to use it to pick up and place foam dimensionals on my projects, and it can also be used to remove the paper backing from them. This is so helpful if you have arthritis or problems with your hands.

If you need to remove a piece of paper from your project after you have adhered it, you can use the spatula tip to carefully lift it without causing any tears.

This tool has a million other uses too, and I shared some of them here.