Let's Talk Glue Sticks
 

Do you use glue sticks on your cards? If so what kind do you use? How do you get the glue to stick?

I have had no luck at all with any of the glue sticks I've tried. My cards just fall apart when I attempt to use this kind of adhesive.

I bought two glue sticks from Stampin' Up. I love everything I've bought from SU except for these glue sticks. I'm tempted to just throw 'em away. They seem totally useless to me. Am I doing something wrong? I press down on the card after gluing two sheets of paper together. Is there something else I should be doing?

I buy a brand of glue sticks called 'Zig' (both JoAnn and Michaels sell them). There are 3 different types of sticks - a small head, a medium head (the one I use) and then a super-duper HUGE head!! The glue goes on blue but then dries clear, and has always been quite sticky for me. Hope something works out for you!!!

Die hard Mono Multi fan here.

Whatever the glue, I've always found that burnishing is guaranteed to boost the adhesion. After you've glued the papers together, flip it over and burnish from the back and then again on the front to make sure every bit of the glue is pressed into the paper. Really helps.

I don't like glue sticks. I found that when they were exposed to cold temperatures in the mailing process, they would loose their stick and the cards would fall apart. I use my ATG gun. It sticks forever!

This might help .... put a weight/ books on top of your cards for a while- 30-40 minutes till it's dry ..... do your glitter or stuff after so they don't stick to each other.

Yes , I agree ! Save up your money for the ATG of your choice!
That's the way to go BABY!:cool:

Find a friend that has one and try it out for an hour! You'll wonder how you ever lived with out it! ( you might have to buy her a replacement tape for using hers up!)

Or you could buy one tape and try it at home with your cards. It really sticks well. It's a pain to Hand peel the tape of each time so GIRL just get an ATG gun!

For gluestick, I use Zig and Tombow.

I do have an ATG gun and I love it, but it's not the easiest thing to carry around with me. Sometimes a few of us get together after work at a local restaurant and make some cards. Also when I do a party I'd like to have something convenient and inexpensive for the guests to use on their make & takes.

It really isn't necessary to use the big dispenser for the ATG adhesive. I did without for a good 10 years or more and just used the rolls by themselves. It's no more of a learning curve than, say, figuring out how to load the rolls into the dispenser. Yes, your fingers might get a bit sticky while you're getting the hang of it, but that's not such a big deal...

Hmm, I never thought about not using the dispenser. I'm going to have to try this. Thanks

Just get a Tombow tape runner to take on the go!

I'm a glue junkie....I admit it. I've tried them all. When I first started my paper crafting odyssey, I started out with glue sticks. The problem I encountered with them was once they dried, they dried hard and the paper would sometimes become un-glued. Then I tried Elmers glue (old-fashioned school glue) - same thing. Then Elmers came out with a scrapbook glue but it's really wet and would saturate the paper leaving the paper wavy. I like the ATG, but it's big and since it's tape, it can break away from the paper. Then I was ALL OVER the Mono tape. Small, convenient refills, but again...it's tape, and kind of pricey for refills.

Then, my world changed.....I discovered Tombow Mono-Multi liquid glue. This stuff is aMaZiNg!!! Seriously I never thought I could love a liquid glue but this stuff knocks any other liquid, tape or stick out of the ball park! And I have NO connections with the manufacturer - this is just MHO! It doesn't saturate the paper, it has a fine tip or a wide brush-like tip so you can determine how you want to lay it down. You can use it as permanent or or temporary glue. To use it as temporary glue you just lay it down how you want and give it a bit to dry. It keeps it's tacky-ness just enough to keep the paper stuck together, but not rip it. I use it as temporary if I've made a hand-made envelope and use a few drops to keep the envelope sealed.

But back to the glue stick question you originally asked before I went on my rant....my favorite glue stick is the 3M/Scotch glue stick. They have several varieties that are permanent, as well as temporary. I find that the 3M/Scotch variety spreads out the smoothest and give you a lot of bang for your buck. Meaning some times when you buy a glue stick, you put it on your paper, and half the glue stick is gone! The 3M/Scotch is a solid glue stick. Give it a try and see what you like best!

All of the glue mentioned above it STILL in my crafty cove and some how each glue now has a specific use! When did different adhesives achieve specific uses? I don't care - it's all fun!