X'mas cards fell apart

[StampinFlo]

OK, so I rushed over a couple days right before Christmas to finish up my cards and get them sent. Mission was accomplished as they were able to get out the door by the 22nd and got to most of the addressees by the 24th (yeay!!!). But some of the cards fell apart while in transit so my family and friends got jumbled up cards. I was soooo BUMMED and a little embarrassed! I usually just use glue stick on most of my cards. For this card, I used the Tombow Mono adhesive on the main picture and glue stick on the rest. Both got unglued. I made five different types of cards but this particular one is the one that got messed up.

Have you ever had any problems with your cards using the mono adhesive?

http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...cat=500&page=1

[Jovi]

I did have some fall apart in the past when I used glue sticks. My friend had to glue it back together, I was so happy she told me about it. That was the last time I used glue sticks!

I never had a problem with mono falling off!

[AndreaSophie]

about half of the 50 holiday cards I mailed did the same thing! And I used a glue stick and glue pen (like 2 way pen) then I have used hundreds of times with no problems. I think it was the weather around here. I felt like a big dummy when everyone told me their card fell apart

[Jami]

I noticed that you used metallic cardstock. I have found it a little harder to keep stuck together than regular cardstock.

[mommamea]

I wonder if it had to do with glossy paper too being all inked. I don't have trouble with mono except that I go through so much when doing this kind of stuff
Teresa

[LadyScrppr]

I never use glue sticks and only use perm mono on cards. I have had a lot fall apart, in my scrapbooks. I will not share how I keep those together!

[Alaskastamper]

My guess would be you didn't use enough mono. I've noticed that even when I do a LITTLE embossing on the background and stick something onto it, I have to use extra mono or it won't get enough "grip". Don't know about the glue stick because I've never used glue stick on my cards. Could also be the weather too, tape doesn't stick as well when it gets really cold.

[LadyScrppr]

mail definately is not climate controlled. There is probably your problem! sometimes I use mono y mono, stick mono on one side and then on the corresponding other. Ok so it was a poor spanish pun but you get my point.

[StampinFlo]

OK, ladies. You sold me on it. I just took advantage of the special deal going on at viking.com and purchased mono adhesives. I used to use it but thought glue stick was cheaper. It looked like it worked for awhile. I guess you get what you pay for.

LadyScrpr --- too funny with the pun. I almost didn't get it. But then again, I'm so bad with jokes. :P :P :P :P

[athena308]

my sister called me when she received her b-day card and asked me if it was "some assembly required", i laughed and made another one and sent to her. i now only use double sided sticky tape!!!

[Elizabeth Moran]

I made six calenders for people and I used Stampin Up's glue sticks and all of my cards on my calenders are coming apart! How embarrasing!! I wrote Stampin Up but I haven't received anything from them yet.

[sharp_vt]

I noticed that you used cord on your gorgeous card. I have found when I use it that it is just thick enough so that the mono doesn't adhere as well for a bit of space around the cord. When I am using cord, I use glue dots because they are stickier and a bit thicker. HTH

[jdmeeks]

Never have had luck with the mono adhesive; o double ctick tape remains my adhesive of choice. I also use E6000 ~ that never seems to come unglued. I've had cards damaged in transit and arrive in tattered envelopes (luckily only twice in 8 years of stamping); but never comes apart!

[RoxieStamps]

I only use CM tape. I am a SU demonstrator and of course I don't tell my customers this but it is the only thing that keeps things in place. I have seen my friends scrapbook pages fall apart because they use Mono. Double sided tape is what I usually recommend for my customers. I never use glue stick, never holds at all for me.

HTH

[pigfingers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdmeeks

Never have had luck with the mono adhesive; o double ctick tape remains my adhesive of choice. I also use E6000 ~ that never seems to come unglued. I've had cards damaged in transit and arrive in tattered envelopes (luckily only twice in 8 years of stamping); but never comes apart!

What brand double-stick tape? and what is E6000, is that one of the Xyron cartridges?

I have used both mono and that red duck brand cartridge, and have had few problems, but I think in hindsight I either didn't put enough on, or used heavier cardstock, i.e. metallic or one of the bazill textured. I haven't bought mono in a while, is it still gumming up or has it changed with the new design?

[pitapeanut]

I had the same problem with the mono I purchased. Everyone on this site raves about it and I thought, why not, I'll give it a try. But everything I used it on fell apart. I thought it was just a bad refill, so I replaced it and tried again but ended up with the same result. So now I only use double sided tape.

Amanda

[stampingdenise]

I think it's the metallic cardstock, honestly. Everything I've ever received with metallic cardstock has fallen apart.

[NiceRAK]

Just want to say that they look like LOVELY cards and it is a SHAME that some were jumbled....

I always over monoadhesive everything...I go through the stuff like water!!!

[stamps4sanity]

I have recieved hand made cards that have done the same thing when using a glue stick. Personally, I use Scotch Permanent Double Back tape on all my cards and have never had a problem. If you've never tried this product give it a try. It's GREAT!

[Sherri P]

I've had the same problem too... this year on my Christmas Cards that had "extra" layers I used SU's new Sticky Strip.... That seemed to do the trick... no e-mails or phone calls telling me that they loved the "assembly required" cards.....lol
Sherri P

[MICHELLE WOODERSON]

Any surfaces that have a special texture like glossy cardstock, metallic cardstock, embossing on it or an embellishment on it is going to require more "sticking" power. It looks like you used all those techniques on your beautiful card. The monoadhesive should work if you use enough and I burnish the surfaces on the reverse side to get them to adhere better. When you use something with dimension like the cord or a brad, etc., you'll need to use extra mono around those areas or sticky glue dots. I have found that glue sticks and the two way glue pen seem to make cards pop apart and no longer use them. My two way glue pen is for glitter only.

[look-inkgood]

I used pearlescent/metallic cardstock and mono tape on mine and they fell apart while they were sitting on the table waiting to be mailed! I had to press them REALLY FIRMLY and hold for about 15 seconds, then they remained together. It was a pit having to do that for 60 cards...I'm sure it was the metallic paper, since I've never had a problem with mono before. I don't know if any fell apart in the mail. Now I wonder if my friends got a "build your own greeting," too!

The SU glue dots were fantastic, though. They didn't let go.

[qcbetty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by look-inkgood

I used pearlescent/metallic cardstock and mono tape on mine and they fell apart while they were sitting on the table waiting to be mailed! I had to press them REALLY FIRMLY and hold for about 15 seconds, then they remained together.

I'm not laughing at you.......but I have this vision of me ~ "butt gluing" my metallic cardstock to the card.......

[miss missy]

I have had this problem with mono so i don't buy it, I use CM tape runner or double sided tape, I have things fall apart that are just 2 pieces of cardstock not glossy or metallic, I just don't want to take a chance with somehting I make falling apart, I am sorry that yours did but at least you know now and know you are not the only one...your cards are beautiful

[photocropper]

Your cards are beautiful - so sorry that happened...

I use "Scotch Double Sided Tape" permanent 1/2 inch.
It works great and I have never had a problem - I used mono for a while and I did have a problem - so now my dd and ds play with it when they are "making cards"!!

HTH
Shelley

[shaunagroff]

First of all, BEAUTIFULL card!!!

I think part of the problem might have been the cording around the central picture. That adds dimension and makes it more difficult to stick to the background. Maybe in the future you could use some dimensionals to help make it stick.

[photocropper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyScrppr

I never use glue sticks and only use perm mono on cards. I have had a lot fall apart, in my scrapbooks. I will not share how I keep those together!

Creative Memories tape runner is AWESOME - in the almost 7 years of scrapbooking I have never had anything fall apart....

My CM Consultant uses the scotch double sided tape for her cards as well (cheaper than using tape runner) especially since you never know where your card will end up!

Shelley

[mnjjacobs]

Really pretty card! I use the hermafix permanent dotto now alot. Nothing has fallen apart. (This works great if you modify the unit by pulling out the white circle under the tape refill...) But I agree with others that when using cording, on glossy you need to go to the big guns--glue dots or dimensionals or double sided tape, and use ALOT of it around the bow of the cording. HTH
mj

[JanTInk]

Whenever you use something like ribbon running under a piece of cardstock, it will pop off using mono after a while. The ribbon or fibers put tension on the bond between the pieces; and that tension will gradually pull the bond apart. Having metallic does not help either, I'll agree.

I had been told just a dab of mono in each corner, but I use a lot more than that since my samples hang on a bulletin board for quite a while.

[lisavenancio]

Have you tried the SU Sticky Strip? You don't have to use very much and it is so sticky it would probally hold bricks together. Works really good on crimped paper, layers with texture (brads or eyelets) and layers that are just heavy. In my scrapbook, I know nothing is going to fall apart down the road!

[TexasGrammy]

So sorry this happened to your beautiful cards!

When using our gorgeous metallic cardstocks, I prefer to supplement the snail/mono with SU Mini Glue Dots, such as behind the corners. Those dots won't let go, plus, they're great when you're using metallic cord or ribbon behind layers.

~Beverly

[stampcrazygirl]

I was having problems with mono for a while. They were refills that I got from Michaels. Since I have purchased refills from Viking I have NOT had that problem. I think Michaels had old stock sitting there that wasn't sticking as well. I was ready to give up on mono.

I do use a extra sticky double sided tape if I have to secure something that has had crimping or heavy watercoloring or embellishments.

[debcst]

I found that after they changed the mono (1-2 yr. ago?) I had to start using a lot more. I dot in each corner used to hold everything together--now I run strips of it. Still love the convenience but ought to buy stock in Viking!

--Debbie

[heart]

Maria,
THanks for posting this...I have sure learned a lot in this thread.
Sorry your card came apart, but, gosh, it sure is pretty!

[Kristina Dodson]

I am so glad/disappointed to hear others are having trouble with mono holding. At first I thought it was the climate, etc. but nothing seems to change the outcome. SU needs to come up with a good alternative - not the sticky strip as it's too awkward and expensive to use on normal card construction.

[Carole Richardson]

I have had so many cards fall apart and I have used Mono Adhesive exclusively. Initially, I had no problems with layers staying together. Then about a year ago, my cards started falling apart. I do use lots ov mono too. A friend of mine who is also a big supporter of SU products recommended a product by Creative Memories called Tape Runner. I used it for the first time yesteerday and the card seems to be staying together nicely. Only time will really tell. I do hope you are able to solve this problem. I know how frustrating this is.

[MaryMary]

I want to cast my vote -- as some others have done -- for the Scotch double-sided permanent tape. I have never had a failure when using it.

Mary

[rubadubdub]

Yep. Mono does let go, but I use that to my advantage when I take cards apart to rework them. I also like how I can "erase" the mono residue from cardstock. I treat the permanent mono as if it were temporary, and I put the temporary mono in my box of shame (totally useless, but I am too ashamed to just toss it). I use alot of double-sided tape because I like the control it gives me, and I'm used to it. Mono is so much more portable, though.

[StampinFlo]

Oh, ladies...thanks for the compliments and wealth of information! I had no idea there's so many alternatives out there! I have most of the stuff that you've suggested, just never thought to use them on cards. Duh...!!!!

[carolync6]

I just wanted to add my two cents. I've been so frustrated with the mono myself. I've tried tons of stuff (I'm an adhesive junkie) and my favorite, dependable product is the scotch double sided tape also. The Duck tape runner is a close second, but my Walmart apparently stopped carrying them. Sam's Club sells a 4 pack of the double sided tape for about $7.50. It lasts me for quite a while. I still use mono or snail at workshops for the convenience, but I never use it at home at all.

Carolyn