In the craft room, a drawer full of glues and adhesives is essential for finding the right glue for each project.
Different materials require different types of glue, and experimentation has led to valuable insights.
TYPES OF GLUE
Craft stores offer a wide variety of glues, making it challenging to choose the best one that is also cost-effective and durable. Here’s a review of recommended glues based on experience.
TACKY GLUE
This go-to glue works well on many materials, including paper, wood, fabric, felt, and plastic. It features an innovative upside-down bottle design for easy dispensing and dries clear while remaining flexible.
Pros: Versatile, transparent, non-toxic, quick-drying.
Cons: Can thicken over time; the cap is easy to lose.
HOT GLUE TOOL
A staple for many crafters, hot glue tools come in high and low temperatures, with cordless options available. They are great for quick adhesion on porous and non-porous surfaces but may not hold up under high temperatures.
Pros: Works on various materials.
Cons: Weakens over time; creates annoying strings; can cause burns.
GLUE DOTS
These non-toxic dots are perfect for paper crafts and adding embellishments. They dry instantly without mess.
Pros: Super sticky and affordable.
Cons: Once applied, repositioning is impossible.
FOAM TAPE
Ideal for adding dimension to projects, foam tape is double-sided and customizable.
Pros: Strong and can be cut to size.
Cons: Best used on dry surfaces only.
GLUE PEN
Perfect for precise applications, glue pens are great for intricate shapes or glitter applications.
Pros: Allows for detailed work.
Cons: Dries quickly and comes in small tubes.
E6000
This strong adhesive can bond various materials including wood and metal. It allows for repositioning before it sets.
Pros: Extremely strong and durable.
Cons: Takes a long time to dry.
TAPE RUNNER
Used mainly for paper crafting, tape runners provide quick adhesion without drying time.
Pros: Portable and easy to use.
Cons: Requires refills and is hard to reposition once attached.
GEL MEDIUM
A versatile binder used as glue or sealer, gel medium dries clear and is flexible.
Pros: Strong adhesion for heavy elements.
Cons: Requires a spatula for application.
GLUE STICK
Best for attaching lightweight items like paper dots, glue sticks are water-based and easy to use but not very strong.
Pros: Non-toxic and easy to apply.
Cons: Weak adhesion and hard to apply precisely.
MASKING TAPE
Commonly used in painting projects, masking tape is removable without residue but can lose stickiness over time.
Pros: Easy to remove and adds texture.
Cons: May become unpredictable in terms of stickiness.Other types of glue include specialized adhesives like fabric glue or spray adhesive for larger projects. For a handy reference guide on glue types and their uses, consider printing the provided guide to keep in the craft space.
