What is the best medium for gluing your card layers together?
 

Okay, I have a burning question...........What do you use to glue your card layers together?

You see I live near San Antonio, Texas and it is very humid here - pretty much year round. My cards always seem to come apart after a while and it drives me crazy.

I hate knowing that cards I give to people fall apart after a few months. I know that people keep them because I have had several bring them back to me asking for them to be glued back together.

I normally use mono adhesive, but lately I have been using crystal effects brushed on the backside of the cardstock which seems to work a bit better. However, this is neither convenient or cost effective.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks for your input,
Cyndi

I use mono multi (green and white bottle) and have never had an issue with anything falling apart. I even used it to glue paper and cardstock to metal.

Me, too. I think it is the best adhesive ever. A little goes a long way. I just run a tiny line around the edge of the paper I want to adhere. I have never had anything come apart with it.

http://www.penwa.com/tombow/52190.htm

I ordered it here and got 10 bottles for $1.90 each.

Some folks swear by Zip Dry Paper Glue, too, but, I haven't tried it yet.

Personally, I've found Kokuyu Dot N Roller to be my fave, among tape roller adhesives. That stuff is AMAZING!

I also use Tombo mono multi in the green and white bottle and love it. It has natural rubber latex in it which may give it more stick power in a dry climate.

Does the Tombow Mono Multi dry clear? Thx!!

It can get expensive, because there is alot of waste.....but I only use the permanent Xyron. If I have a layer too big to go through the machine I use the mono multi.

Yes, but it does remain tacky when dry (thus the 2 way moniker). You need to be careful so that it doesn't "leak out" from under your layer, but it seriously is a phenomenal adhesive. (And if it does leak just a bit, I just rub it off with an art gum eraser)

Yes, but it will stay tacky. I usually don't glue within a 1/4"-1/8" of the edge for this reason.

I hope that helps.

BTW--this is what I used when I started paper crafting in 1999--tried everything else and came back to it in 2007. It is economical as well as strong. (and my sb pages from 1999--are still holding strong!)

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will definitely be trying these products.

Thanks again,
Cyndi

try an atg gun...that adhesive is great stuff!!! My cards use to fall apart all the time....not any more!

kathy

I totally agree. I make a lot of boxes and nothing keeps them together like my ATG by 3M!!

I also like Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive. Since I switched to liquid I have really been happy with all my stuff staying together. It's not quite as humid here (closer to Dallas), but I think you'll be happier with either Mono Multi or the Scotch Quick Dry.

ME TOO! I love this stuff! And it's available at Target, Walmart even my grocery store has it. Love the stuff.

ATG gun for me! But I don't live where it's hot and humid.

Another vote for mono-multi, but I haven't tried the ATG gun.

Forgot to say about the Mono Multi - you have a little bit of time after you put the layer down for "wiggle" room, if it's not quite straight.

With tape, once it's down, it's stuck right then.

another vote for mono multi with the green cap. A little bit goes a long way and holds super well!

Another vote for both of these. The best thing about them is that they do dry clear and the adhesive remover from SU is phenominal for removing residue if it gets onto your card:

http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/stampi...toreid=1038724

at $1.95...oi what a deal!

The worst thing about them both is that the tips constantly need to be cleaned with a pin... very annoying. This may be due to the fact that I only put the lids on when I'm completely done, and they dry very quickly in between. If I were Gina or Nicole or even Aileen's or anyone who sells stuff I'd figure out a way to make the bottles with a flip cap or something!!!

I will also mention that Tombow has a red line tape that is in a dispenser like mono adhesive. It's called Craft n Bond or something and it works sooo well, just a bit pricey though at $5 a roll, but great for some applications.

I use plain ole double sided tape and it works pretty good. I will have to try the mono multi though.

I have tried double sided tape, Tombow's mono multi adhesive, zip dry paper glue & Scotch Quick-Dry Adhesive. I found that the Scotch Quick-Dry Adhesive works the best-and it's very reasonable-$3.97 at my Walmart. It lasts a really long time. My first bottle was started May 07 & lasted into Oct 07-and I was making about 20 cards a week & started my xmas cards in Sept. I really recommend it!

I use the Scotch and I noticed if I just put the top on (not screw it down) while I'm working it doesn't seem to clog up as much. I was having the same problem.

I mainly use Zip-dry. I use the Scotch Quick dry to put together my die-cuts. I have the Tombow Multi but haven't tried it yet. I find wet glues to stick way better than tapes.

ATG!

I'm in GA ... it gets pretty humid here.

I use Mono Multi OR my ATG Tape Gun. Both work great and really hold up to humidity.

I have tried em all and I swear by Zip Dry. It glues quickly and it STAYS and it doesnt make the paper warp

I use the ATG now. It's so strong, that I have to be careful that if a piece of Cardstock falls down somewhere before I place it on the card, it's most likely going to stay there. ;)

If you like liquid adhesive I'd say Zip Dry paper glue from Beacon adhesives. thye also make one called Gem Tac which is great for things like rhinestones.

If you like dry adhesives I'd say EZrunner which is from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L. They also make 3D foam squares that I really like to give a 3D look.

I have 3 favorites - the ATG Gun, double stick tape, and 3M/Scotch Quick Dry Glue. Of course Iive a bit further north than Texas... all 3 work great during our cold, snowy winters as well as during our hot and sometimes humid summers.

Happy Stamping and Scrapping

rita

I have to say Zip Dry, also. It drys with a super hold and you can reposition it before it drys solid. For quick drying I use Pritt permanent two way tape or in the USA its called Duck brand two way tape.
Kathy

I use an ATG gun...

Another vote for the ATG - love that thing!

double sided tape for me and I'm definitely in a humid area, North Queensland, Australia.

I use the Multi glue now that SU sells it, and also double stick tape. I get my double stick tape from scor-pal though it is very reasonable there!!

loveeeeee zip n dry glue.. it is UNBELIEVABLE! I don't use any tape anymore :) I have tried the glue even on photocopy paper to see if it "ripples" etc.. NADA, nothing.. smooth as a baby's bottom. Love the stuff :)

Em

ATG Gun!

I'm in the process of ordering an ATG gun. I hadn't used one until last week when I was at a SCS get-together and tried my friend's. I loved it and she swears by it.

I live in the Austin area and have the same problems with cards coming undone. I do use crystal laquer all the time (the Hobby Lobby brand tho) and I have recently started using a new glue...I think it's scotch all purpurse. I'll have to look at the bottle. It's liquid, white, and comes in a white, red and purple bottle. It costs $4 at walmart or $6 at hobby lobby. It stretches well, you don't have to use a lot, and so far, none of my cards have come undone using it.

I made 150 wedding invites, 80 reception postcards and a handfull of valentines cards and about 20 swap cards with one bottle. The wedding cars had several layers.

good luck!

Adhesive tips:
1.. Apply in a thin, even coat; too heavy an application of certain adhesives diminishes the bonding ability of that adhesive.
2. Burnish, burish, burnish. If the paper is fragile, cover with a piece of scrap vellum before burnishing.
3. When burnishing is not practical, place weights on the layers; leave in place until the adhesive has cured.
4. Allow an adhesive to cure before moving the project.
5. Adhesive (including tapes and sheets) have a set, dry and cure time. Set is when the adhesive has 'grabbed.' Dry is when the adhesive is completely dried (from top to bottom). Cure is the amount of time requried for the bond to be permanent.
6. Applying too heavy a coat of the adhesive, not burnishing, and not allowing the adhesive to cure are the primary reasons an adhesive doesn't work.

Check to see if your library has a copy of my book, The Complete Guide to Glues & Adhesives...the book has 144 pages of information about the stickies.

I love the 3M Quick-Dry adhesive too. Dries quick, cheap, and it bonds metal to paper. I have been using a lot of rhinestones lately and it's great that I don't have to keep switching adhesives. I find it's the best all around and if I were forced to keep just one this would be it.