What is the Best Glue for Scrapbooking, Popular Brands and Tips

Scrapbooking is a creative way to visualize and store memories. In needlework, special paper and decor are used. To prevent the elements of the picture from falling apart from time to time, they must be firmly glued. The main requirements for the adhesive are strength and ease of use. Water-based PVA is not suitable for the job. Craftsmen use brands of special scrapbooking glue.

What is scrapbooking

The art of decorating photo albums and postcards got its name from the fusion of two English words: "scrap" - "cut" and "book" - "book". The meaning of creativity lies in the compilation of plot collages from newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs. The peculiarity of scrapbooking is the volume, the layering. In their work they use stickers on springs and double-sided tape, ribbons and rings.

Scrapbook kits include:

• high-quality white, colored and textured paper, produced using a special, almost imperishable technology;
• cardboard of various colors and textures;
• particle board;
• brads in the form of flowers, hearts, animals, butterflies, bees;
• eyelets;
• rhinestones, stones, beads;
• figurines in metal, wood and plaster.

The main task of scrapbooking is to store memories beautifully and securely so that scrapbooks can be inherited by children and grandchildren. For this, materials and parts are made from quality raw materials. Scrap paper does not contain chemicals or acids that react to environmental changes. Consequently, supplies are expensive and rarely sold in the office. Most parts are sold in online stores.

Using the technique of scrapbooking, they create thematic photo albums: wedding albums, dedicated to the holidays, the birth of a child, the awarding of school or university diplomas. Any memorable event can be immortalized in a separate postcard and framed. Scrapbooking is used to decorate not only photographs, but also postcards, wish lists, moodboards.

Adhesive Requirements

The difficulty of the scrapbooking technique is to glue the scrap paper evenly to the cardboard, without bubbles and creases, and also to firmly attach the small parts. The following adhesives are suitable for scrapbooking:

• gel-like - do not over-wet thin paper, do not smear;
• odorless and toxin-free - safe for children, does not emit harmful substances during evaporation;
• transparent - does not leave streaks, does not stain loose details;
• forming a flexible layer after drying.

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Thin paper cannot be glued to cardboard with water-based PVA glue. Dried leaves curl into a tube and turn yellow over time. Porous paper deforms more strongly under the action of liquid glue.

Which glue is right

Scrapbooking adhesives are designed for various materials: cardboard, photo paper and scrap paper, as well as for wooden and metal parts.

For the pictures

Types of glue for photo paper:

• a special pencil - marked "for a photo" on the package, does not contain acids, solvents and toxic substances, is applied in a thin layer so that the parts do not separate. When storing in closed packages, it is important to observe the temperature regime, otherwise the glue loses its properties;
• liquid glue - similar in density to PVA, does not turn yellow, is consumed economically thanks to a bottle with a spout.

Sheets of photo albums are made of cardboard, glossy, paper-plastic. The glue should adhere the photo paper well to the surface of the album sheet and not leave marks on the photo.

For the paper

Craftsmen use the following types of glue:

• aerosol - sprayed sparingly on cardboard, suitable for fabric, applied evenly. The spray can be used to seal loose corners;
• silicone - inexpensive, sold in the form of sticks, but quickly ends. Another disadvantage of the silicone composition is the fragility of the bond.

Double-sided tape is often used instead of glue, but the tape also comes off over time.

For the decoration

A convenient device for gluing small parts - a glue gun. It is loaded with a rod and heats up on the mains, like a soldering iron. The glue melts and is applied to the part. Replacement rods are sold separately.

Application rules

General principles of working with glue in scrapbooking:

• check the quality of gluing on a draft - try gluing a piece of scrap paper to cardboard, chipboard, a wooden figurine, a bead. The test will show how the composition affects the paper and whether the decor holds firmly;
• apply on a less porous surface - smooth materials absorb less glue;
• the large sheets of paper are coated with a sponge or a brush;
• if the bottle does not have a tip, the glue is collected using a pipette or a disposable syringe;
• spread the mass of glue on the paper from the center to the edges, so as not to stain the front;
• press surfaces and parts, place them under a press to avoid deformation.

The part is kept under pressure for 1 to 24 hours, depending on the materials to be bonded.

Review of popular brands

Some types of adhesive are good for scrap paper, but they don't stick well to plastic or wood. Before buying, you should familiarize yourself with the list of famous brands, their advantages and disadvantages. Scrapbookers often use the UHU and Moment brands.

Tacky Original Glue by Aleene's

The universal remedy has the following advantages:

• available in small and large bottles;
• applied sparingly with a tip;
• does not dry out in the nose;
• does not spread when applied in a thin layer;
• quickly glues the paper;
• diluted with water.

If you spread a thick layer of glue, the sheet will warp. It is recommended to squeeze out a small amount and spread it with a brush.Care should be taken as occasional drops leave stubborn stains.

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Aleene's Clear Gel Sticky Glue

Colorless gel glue is suitable for scrap paper, voluminous decorations. It should also be spread in a thin layer to hold the decor in place.

"UHU Twist & Glue"

The universal adhesive of the German brand is distinguished by its original yellow triangular packaging. The tip applies the composition in three ways: in drops, in a thin and wide strip.

Adhesive properties:

• transparent;
• liquid;
• does not distort the sheets of paper.

Disadvantages at work:

• dries for a long time;
• the excess is not removed from the parts;
• feels noticeably.

Despite its declared versatility, the glue is not suitable for photography.

"UHU Alleskleber"

The glue is used for paper, metal, wood, leather and felt. The advantage of the composition is that the surplus rolls off and is eliminated without a trace. The glue dries for a long time, slightly smells of chemistry. Not suitable for photographic paper, bleeds through thin fabrics and damages paint on beads. Pieces of fabric peel off paper after drying.

"Contact"

The glue is based on synthetic thermoplastic resin. It is not recommended to place the finished works in the sun and near heating devices.

Suitable for the following materials:

• cardboard;
• TREE;
• Plastic;
• gypsum;
• glass.

Glue bonds paper evenly, but has many disadvantages:

• causes allergies and irritates the skin;
• smells bad;
• is not removed from the surface.

You must work with gloves and with an open window, otherwise a headache will add to the irritation of the hands.

Brilliant Accent by Ranger

The adhesive is intended for decorative elements made of metal, acrylic.Rhinestones, chipboard and beads are glued with the composition, shiny accents and droplets are put.

Positive properties:

• transparent;
• scentless;
• economic;
• dries quickly.

The glue in the open tube does not dry out for several years, but hardens at the tip of the spout. The nozzle hole must be drilled. The glue applied does not rub off.

"Scraperfect No-Clog Writing Cap"

In order not to mess with a dry spout, it is worth buying a set of nozzles. Metal tips do not dry out. Caps of different shapes and sizes fit on small tubes and large jars. The manufacturer indicates the size of the nozzles on the packages, so that they can be adapted to a specific bottle.

"Pom pom"

Masters note the following positive qualities of glue:

• transparent;
• tube with a fine tip;
• thinned with lukewarm water without sacrificing stickiness;
• adheres securely to paper flowers.

It is better to spread the diluted composition with a brush.

Disadvantages:

• wrung with difficulty, it is better to store the cap tube down;
• not suitable for heavy acrylic parts, particle board;
• poorly spread on the paper, immediately freezes;
• sheets of paper lose their shape.

The glue is only suitable for light paper decorations.

Universal glue "Titan"

Positive aspects of the composition:

• cheap;
• easily erased from the surface;
• dries quickly.

Characteristics of the glue:

• the thick mass is difficult to squeeze out from the bottom of the bottle, when the glue runs out, the bottle should be stored upside down;
• due to the wide tip it is inconvenient to work with small parts;
• freezes quickly;
• high consumption.

Transparent composition is suitable only for jewelry, because the paper curls.But you can find a compromise: pour some of it from a large bottle into a smaller bottle and put a mouthpiece with a mouthpiece. To avoid deformation of the paper, the glue should be applied in a thin layer.

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Glue "Moment carpenter super PVA"

Why is the remedy attractive:

• colorless after drying;
• suitable for fixing chipboard, bookbinding board, flowers;
• economically consumed.

Negative point of the work: with an uneven application, the paper deforms. After drying, the leaves lose their elasticity.

Universal glue from "Fabrika Decoru"

The composition of Ukrainian production is poured into bottles with a volume of 100 milliliters with a thin spout. The glue is thick, but it is convenient to spread it on small parts.

Liquid Scotch

A special type of glue is used to attach beads, sequins and artificial snow. Liquid tape is applied to the surface, sprinkle decor on top, shake off the excess and check for gaps. The spaces are watered again.

When working with a scrapbook, it is important to spread the sheet evenly and fill in the gaps, otherwise the pages will stick together.

"Scraperfect Best Glue Eve"

Excellent glue for small decor. It is convenient to place drops with a thin nose from the bottle. After application, the composition dries quickly, holds sequins, rhinestones, ribbons, plastic figures well. The main thing is not to pour too much glue, otherwise the paper will curl.

"Great Moment Freeze"

The gel mass has a thicker consistency than glue. The gel is reliable on metal, plastic and plaster.

"Universal Magic"

Paste in a bright red tube in a set with a fine nozzle.Remove the cap from the tube, pierce the protective film and put on a plastic mouthpiece with a cap.

"Fast Grab Tacky Glue" by Aleene's

The glue lives up to the name "Fast" and does everything quickly: it grabs, dries and sticks firmly. The composition is effective when working with beads, buttons, sequins.

Aleene's Quick-Drying Sticky Glue

The product is white, dries quickly. The master has half a minute in stock to fix the part. Adheres well to paper, wood and metal. The nose is trimmed to the desired width. The disadvantage of the tip is that by cutting it into a wide strip, it is no longer possible to extrude a thin one.

"Beacon 3 in 1 Advanced Craft Glue"

Characteristics of the glue:

• a bottle with a volume of 118 milliliters;
• Thin nose;
• thick consistency;
• discreet smell.

The composition quickly captures dense and textile elements.

Additional Recommendations

The following tips are helpful when working with glue:

• Bubbles and ripples can be removed with wax paper: place tracing paper, parchment paper, or a plain white waxed sheet over the surface to be leveled, then go back over it with a hard roller. If thick cardboard and thin paper are stuck together, smooth the thin paper;
• when gluing thin, porous paper to thick cardboard, it is rolled upside down. To avoid twisting, you need to spread glue on the surface of the cardboard - it is less porous and absorbs less composition;
• The second way to deal with cardboard folding is to glue thin paper to the back to counter it. In this case, you need to glue the sheet of paper, and not the surface of the cardboard.

If the adhesive irritates the skin, it is best to wear gloves. When working with strong smelling formulations, you need to open the window. The creation of beauty should not harm health.