Different Types of Adhesives for Crafting, Journaling and Antique Papers

Crafting with paper glue, ribbon, antique papers and other elements requires the right adhesive to make sure your work or layout stays put.

Different adhesives can provide various levels of bond strength, from semi-permanent to permanent. In this blog post, we’ll look at the different types of adhesives available to help you choose the best one for your project.

Glue Sticks and Glue Dots

Glue sticks are a popular choice for scrapbooking and paper crafting because they are easy to use and usually come in small sizes that are convenient for portable projects. Glue dots are another popular choice; they are strong enough to hold heavier items like buttons or fabric but still easy enough to use that young children can handle them without difficulty. Glue sticks and glue dots also come in acid-free varieties which make them ideal for archiving projects like scrapbooks or preserving old family photos.

 
PVA Glue

PVA (polyvinyl acetate) glue is a white adhesive which dries clear and is often used as a woodworking glue. It is also frequently used in bookbinding, crafts and art projects since it won’t yellow over time like some other glues will. PVA glue has a medium viscosity so it’s not too runny but still spreads easily over surfaces. The downside is adding to much PVA glue is very easy to do – and then, especially with papers, it creases or crinkles up paper… which is great if that is the affect you want, but not so great if you are trying to avoid creases. 

If you love that crinkly paper look - me! :) - then grab yourself a pack of Vintage Small Book Pages. These are easy to add to your layout as a background to build upon. Perfect for using PVA to create a real crinkly and srcunchy look by adding lots of glue. These are so versatile and, because they are vintage, they of course, have that lovely petina and old book smell.

 
Gel Mediums

Gel mediums come in both glossy and matte varieties and can be used as an adhesive, sealant or finish depending on what type of project you’re working on. Gel mediums are useful because they adhere quickly even when applied in thin layers so you don’t have to wait ages for your project pieces to dry before continuing with your work. They also accept paints easily so you can mix them with acrylic paint pigments if you need more colour options than what comes ready-made from the store shelf.

 
Mod Podge 

Mod podge is a versatile craft adhesive. It makes an ideal adhesive/sealant for all sorts of projects from decoupage work to collage making. It comes in several finishes including gloss, matte, satin and even sparkle so you have plenty of options when it comes to choosing how much shine you want your finished project pieces to have! 

 
Double Sided Tape

Double sided tape is great for adding extra support when adhering two pieces together since it provides an extra strong bond while being less thick than regular tape or glue sticks/dots – this makes it perfect for creating neat edges around cardstock shapes or delicate paper designs without any unsightly bumps or lumps! Most on the market are acid-free too so they are perfect for using with photos in your scrapbooking or journaling project. This type of tape is also great if you need something temporary since it peels off quite easily (unlike PVA glue)… if you work fast enough before it bonds. Another bonus? Double sided tape tends to be cheaper than other adhesive types so if budget is an issue then this could be the perfect option! 

Things to remember when choosing an adhesive.

When choosing an adhesive for crafting, journaling, or refurbishing antique papers, there are many options available—from quick-drying gel mediums to budget-friendly double-sided tape—so take some time to research the different types of adhesives available before deciding which one would best suit your needs.