Help...what adhesive do I use for canvas

[daffyrs1]

Please, can someone help me. I'm making a shadow box with my first grandchild's footprints painted on a 4x4 canvas. I need to find a nice piece of paper for the background & then adhere the canvas to the center of the
8x8 shadowbox backing. I don't know what adhesive to use to make sure this canvas does not fall off, I think I need something strong right? What would you use? Thanks for your help.

[cbet]

Any type of liquid adhesive, you will run the risk of it seeping thru the canvas and leaving spots. So, liquid=bad

You could run the canvas thru a xyron, and then make sure to burnish well once it's positioned on the backing paper. I'd probably also put it under a book and weight it down for a day or so, just to give the adhesive time to really cure.

What I probably would do is sew the canvas to the backing paper with some sort of interfacing behind the paper for stability - even if you're using a cardstock-weight backing paper, I'd probably add the interfacing. I'd choose the sewing because if somewhere down the road I want to change the backing paper or turn the canvas into a block for a quilt or a pillow, it will be much easier to pick out the stitches that to try and remove the adhesive.

[daffyrs1]

The 4x4 canvas is on a wood frame so running it through a Xyron or a sewing machine is not an option. The wooden frame is about 1/4" high.

This is the canvas Artist's Loft

This is the project idea Mother's Day Mounted Canvas Footprint Shadow Box

Mine is a white shadowbox, I painted my canvas pink & the footprints are gray. Don't have the background paper yet.

It says use adhesive tape but I don't know if that will be strong enough. Anyone ever make something like this?

[shazsilverwolf]

Looking at the picture, have you considered a spray adhesive? I know Crafters Companion have a USA website, and I can vouch for their Permanent Spray Adhesive, Stick & Stay , I use it all the time. Its perfect for things like this, or for lacy die cuts that you want to adhere. HTH

[cbet]

Sorry! For some reason, I was picturing just a piece of canvas, not an actual artist's canvas

I think that score-tape would be strong enough to hold that; so would ATG adhesive (I think). Regular double-stick tape, not so much. What I'd probably do with it, once it's stuck down, is use a stapler from the backside of the backing paper and go into the frame of the canvas to help hold it in place. One thing I would not use is the foam mounting tape you can buy. That stuff holds really well to start, but in my experience it dries out after a while and starts to let loose. Otherwise, try this: Loctite Power Grab Clear Outdoor Mounting Tape from Loctite Adhesives . We've used it at work to hold art to the walls and it won't come down without pulling the paint with it.

Another thing that would work is a hot glue gun. If you use the hot-melt sticks (not the low-temp), they're pretty strong. You just want to be careful so that you don't apply so much that it oozes out around the edges.

[texemo]

You probably figured it out by now? Can you tell us what worked?

I think those Artist's Loft canvases have gesso on them, but the package should say if it is ready for paint? I have used Gel Medium as an adhesive on canvas. Collage Pauge or Mod Podge would work well too. Just make sure you coat evenly.

I imagine you solved this days ago and would love to know how you were able to solve it?

[daffyrs1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by texemo

You probably figured it out by now? Can you tell us what worked?

I think those Artist's Loft canvases have gesso on them, but the package should say if it is ready for paint? I have used Gel Medium as an adhesive on canvas. Collage Pauge or Mod Podge would work well too. Just make sure you coat evenly.

I imagine you solved this days ago and would love to know how you were able to solve it?

I have not done it, the canvas is painted & I painted my granddaughter's feet & pressed them to the canvas when she was 2 weeks old (now she is 4 months) but I have not decided or bought the background paper for the shadowbox yet. I want to make sure the canvas stays in place in the frame before I finish the project. I'm new to this type of project, never attempted this before so I'm afraid to mess it up. I will probably email a blog friend of mine after the holidays for her input, I think she made something similar before & maybe she knows what I can use. Thanks for all your replys, I appreciate it.

[texemo]

Oh, I gotcha! Somehow I thought you wanted to glue paper to the canvas. So you want to glue the canvas to your shadow box. I have not done that but would recommend a generous coat of Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. I love the stuff. It works for fabric, paper, wood and it is a good strong bond. It should be strong enough to hold the weight of the canvas in place.

[kyloescards]

glue dots probably would work just fine, as long as the paper is adhered well.

[wilma bass]

I really like Beacon 3-in-1 glue. It's stringy, but holds very well.

[idletiger]

Are you comfortable using a drill or electric screwdriver? You might try 2 small screws through the back. Or incorporate a decorative element on the front like ribbon across the corners of the small canvas and held to the backing material with brads.

[reccabecca]

From reading the project, it sounds like you need some Sticky Strip type adhesive. It's a double sided tape but VERY strong. I know you can get it from many places, but that's what it's called from SU. There are different widths too, but they all have a reddish colored backing. You'd simply cut it to size, adhere to each of the four edges, remove the backing, then stick in your shadow box.