The Best Adhesives for Paper Crafting Projects

Last Updated: October 18, 2022

Adhesives are an essential tool for paper crafters. It helps to keep materials in place and can add extra dimension or interest to a project. But what is the best adhesive for paper crafts?

Many different types are available, so deciding which is right for you can be tricky. You wouldn't want the beautiful projects you've spent hours on to get ruined by poorly sticking adhesives, right? In this post, we'll look at some of the most popular adhesive options and discuss what kinds of projects they are perfect for. 

Kinds of Adhesives Used for Paper Crafting 

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Every paper crafter knows that a suitable adhesive is one of the keys to a great project! With the different kinds of adhesives out there, it is essential to know which one to use for your project. Here's a quick rundown of some of the most commonly used adhesives for paper crafting and what they're best suited for.

Paper Crafting Adhesive Essential #1: Tape 

Tape is one of the most versatile adhesives for paper crafting. It's great for attaching paper to paper materials, but you can also use it to create exciting patterns and textures. You can also use it to hold down stencils and die when you need help with card placement! 

There are many different kinds of tape for paper crafting - masking tape, washi tape, glue tape, double-sided tape, and foam tape. Masking tape is less sticky, making it a good choice for projects where you just want the adhesive to hold down cardstock, dies, and stencils. It's also commonly used for sticking, binding, and masking. 

Satin masking tapes are handy for masking, binding, and holding elements for your crafting projects!

Satin Masking Tape

On the other hand, washi tape is a decorative tape that comes in many fun colors and patterns. It's perfect for adding a little extra flair to any paper project, as it can complement your designs and even serve as an inspiration!

Double-sided tapes are an excellent option for paper crafts that need to be extra sturdy. Usually, double-sided tapes are convenient for attaching two pieces of cardstock or other materials without the messiness of glue. It's also helpful for projects that require precise alignment, as you can peel off the tape if you make a mistake. 

Glue tape is a kind of tape held in a small, handheld dispenser - they are also refillable! These are ideal for attaching more intricate pieces of paper or embellishments to your card base. 

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Instant Dimension Foam Tape

To add dimension to cards, crafters also use foam tapes as adhesives. Our Instant Dimension Foam Tape is the perfect adhesive for the job, as it enables focal points to stand out on your handmade cards, scrapbook layouts, journal pages, home decor pieces, and other paper crafting projects.

Paper Crafting Adhesive Essential #2: Glue 

Glue is another popular adhesive for paper crafting. It's great for attaching paper to paper, wood, fabric, and other materials. Glue mostly comes in liquid and sticks so that you can choose the right consistency for your project. In paper crafting, there are many forms and variations of glue - glue sticks, craft glue, tacky glue, and hot glue. 

You can find glue sticks, which are very sticky, convenient, and easy to use. They are easy to use and come in various formulas, making them ideal for temporary and permanent bonds. You can use glue sticks on paper, cardboard, fabric, and photos. 

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2 in 1 Precision Glue Pen

On the other hand, true to its name, craft glue is the most popular type of glue among crafters. Craft glue is ideal for projects involving various materials like cardstock, fabric, plastic, metal, and wood. It dries clear and bonds well to most surfaces. It is best for medium-weight materials.

Altenew's version of craft glue comes in 2-in-1 Precision Glue Pens - making it perfect for strong holds without the mess of liquid glue. They are also ideal for gluing precise points, and corners, especially smaller dies, as it gives you more control over how much adhesive you apply. 

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Live Your Dream Clear Stickers

Another favorite adhesive among cardmakers and scrapbookers is tacky glue because it is easy to use, kid-friendly, and gives time to reposition the material before drying completely. Additionally, most tacky glues don't warp the paper, making it perfect for watercolor mediums and scrapbook papers. 

Hot glue sticks heavier materials like metals, plastics, glass, and wood, making them ideal for DIY paper crafting projects. 

So go ahead and experiment with the different types of adhesives until you find what works best for you. The possibilities are endless!

Stick around for more adhesive tips from Altenew! 

Scrapbook layouts are always made easy with high-quality adhesives and beautiful paper packs!

Live Your Dream Die-Cut Embellishments

 So have you figured out the best adhesive to add to your next crafting stash? It depends on the needs of each paper crafting project, but we hope this guide gave you a good starting point and ideas on what adhesive to try out next. 

Be sure to check out more tips and ideas like these from Altenew's All About Crafting blog, where we are constantly sharing new techniques and products for crafters of all levels. Happy crafting!


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