Scrapbooking Adhesives: Stick to the Basics
Scrapbookers have so many choices in scrapbooking adhesives. Manufacturers are offering more and more options to meet the needs of this hobby. Scrapbooking techniques have continued to change over time, and now scrapbookers need adhesives that can handle the newest techniques and trends.
The key to scrapbook adhesives is that they must be photo-safe. You need to be sure any product you are using on your scrapbooking pages, particularly on the back of your photos, will not cause damage to them over time. When it comes to adhesives, scrapbookers have a variety of options.
Photo Corners: Scrapbookers love photo corners because they allow you to remove an item from the scrapbook. They are not permanent adhesives. They have remained a popular choice in scrapbooking adhesives since the scrapbooking craze began. Heritage photos work well with photo corners, allowing you a temporary mount to your page layout. Photo corners now come in an assortment of colors.
Glue: When it comes to versatility, glue is the best option for adhesives in scrapbooking. It comes in pens, tubes or bottles, each suited to different types of gluing. For example, use a glue pen for your smallest page elements. Glues come in many varieties, including repositionable and permanent. Specialized glues are available for metal or fabric.
Tape Runners: These are double-sided adhesives that are sold in rolls or in dispensers. They are a must-have supply for any scrapbooker. Similar to glue, they come in permanent and repositionable varieties. They are convenient and less messy than regular glue. You run the tape along your photos, paper or any other surface that needs adhesives. It leaves behind a continuous line of adhesive.
Glue Dots: A must-have for heavy embellishments, glue dots allow for a strong bond and are perfect for fabric and ribbons. They come in a range of sizes, mounted on either a roll or sheet.
Glue Sticks: Still a favorite among scrapbookers, glue sticks are less messy than most glue. They allow you to cover a wide area quickly. Yet, they still can be used on small items. Before you purchase glue sticks, make sure they are photo-safe. You don’t want the ones made for school projects.
Adhesive Spray: Scrapbookers love adhesive spray because it provides even coverage and transparency. A perfect choice for vellum, it doesn’t show through like some other glue alternatives do. Always cover your work space before you apply adhesive glue. It can easily leave over spray.
Tape: Most scrapbookers prefer double-sided tape for adhering scrapbooking page elements. However, one-sided tape is useful on the back of brads or eyelets to keep paper from catching on the prongs.
Foam Tape: Foam tape comes in a variety of sizes and shapes, such as dots and squares. The adhesive is double-sided, and the foam allows page elements to have a dimensional effect. This adds interest to small items and works very well with letters in titles.
Scrapbookers can never have enough adhesive. Always stock up on your favorites and bring plenty with you when you go to a crop or workshop. It helps to have a variety of adhesives available as you work on a project. Consider your choices and choose the ones that best fit your scrapbooking style.
Christine Perry is an avid scrapbooker and has over 10 years of scrapbooking experience. Her favorite scrapbooking subjects are her reluctant teenagers. She invites you to her website, http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more scrapbooking ideas and creative memories scrapbooking.