All the Sticky Stuff!
I have to admit that I think I have more adhesives than I do any other type of supply (besides stamps & dies)! I have a desk drawer and two bins full of different kinds of adhesives! I have tried them all because I want to find the best ones (for me), and to be able to share my favorites that I use on a regular basis. I have different adhesives for different purposes of course 😉 These are the ones I have been reaching the most for in 2019.
If the product(s) are available online (usually where I purchased it), I will be list and link for you. I do use affiliate links when possible (at no cost to you), but none of the products I’m listed were provided or sponsored by anyone. These are simply my personal favorite products that I use when crafting. Full Disclosure Here.
Die Cutting & Watercoloring/Masking
This first adhesive belongs in two categories in my mind, die cutting and adhesives. When die cutting, you need something to hold your die still so it doesn’t shift or move when you run the paper through the die cutting machine right? Well, last year I shared Purple Tape by Thermoweb as one of my favorite adhesives for die cutting purposes. Well, this year I still like purple tape, however, there is a skinnier purple tape out now that I find much easier to use. The new PurpleTape is 1/2″ where the one from last year is 1 1/2“. I was always tearing my purple tape into pieces because it was too wide (for me) but now I use the 1/2” and it works great.
The things that I like about the purple tape is that it is removable and never tears my paper or leaves a residue. I also use it for water coloring and taping my paper down/masking areas. You can’t go wrong with this tape, no matter which size you prefer.
Masking Larger Images
When I’m masking stamped images I use three different products, depending on what I’m masking. One is Post-It Labeling Tape.
Masking Paper
The other is Inkadinkado Stamping Mask Paper. It comes in a pack with 12 sheets and you can stamp directly on the masking paper and then fussy cut or die cut the image. If you save the backing paper, you can re-use your mask a few times (depending on how carefully you use it).
Nuvo Masking Fluid
The last masking product I use is liquid masking. The liquid Masking Fluid I prefer is manufactured by Nuvo. It dries quickly and comes off without damaging your paper or stamped/colored images.
Double Sided Tape
Kaisercraft double sided tape is my favorite because it sticks very well, tears easily and is much less expensive than Scor-Tape. It comes in 1/4″ and 1/2″ and I use them both regularly.
Tape Runners
There are two tape runners that I like and use on a regular basis. One is removable and the other is permanent.
The one I use the most is the Kokuyo Dotliner Tape Runner. This one was on my list last year as well. It is my all time favorite dry adhesive and it is so easy to use. I was first introduced to it by Jennifer McGuire so you know it’s a decent product if she promotes it. The Kokuyo Dotliner Tape Runner puts down teeny tiny dots and if you place your paper down and it’s crooked, you can pull it back up without ruining your cardstock, however, when you leave it, it sticks permanently. It is strong but not destructive if you make mistakes (like me!).
Note: There are two sizes (large and small), so when you order refills, make sure you are ordering the ones for the correct size dotliner you bought. I ended up buying both the large and small because I ordered the wrong refills the first time. For your convenience, I will have links to both sizes of tape runners as well as the large refills and small refills in the supply list at the bottom of this page.
3M ATG 700 Adhesive Applicator, Dispenses 1/2 in and 3/4 in wide ATG rolls
My tried and true ATG that has been with me for years. I still use this on large craft projects or if I want something to REALLY stick! It takes both 1/2″ Adhesive Rolls as well as 3/4″, however, I only use the 1/2″.
Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive
There are many great liquid glues on the market but the one I reach for the MOST is Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive 200N. This glue dries clear and the tip is a fine tip that allows you to glue tiny things with precision. The shape of the bottle makes it easy to grip and it has never clogged on me. The projects I made a few years ago with this glue are still holding. I highly recommend this adhesive.
Gilding Flake & Glitter Glue
Cosmic Shimmer Flake & Glitter Glue is the adhesive I turn to when using glitter or gilding flakes. This glue remains sticky until you cover it with your glitter or flakes, etc. Your medium will stick to this glue and won’t flake or shake off once burnished.
Adhesive Sheets for Die Cutting & Vellum
Like the Purple Tape, this product could go in two categories (die cutting and adhesives) because it works well for both purposes.
Stick It! by Ken Oliver
These adhesive sheets come in two sizes, however I only use the smaller size, because I find the larger one is just not convenient (for me). The great thing about Stick It. These adhesive sheets have been formulated for intricate die-cutting and use with electronic cutters. It is temporarily repositionable, but will become permanent over time. Simply stick it to your paper or cardstock before you die cut and peel off the backing when you are ready to apply it to your project. It is acid-free and is a water based adhesive. The package shown includes five 8×6-1/8 inch adhesive sheets.
Works for Clear Vellum Adhesive too! – I use this adhesive when working with vellum. I find that if you stick it to the entire piece of vellum that you are using, you can’t see it once it’s placed on your cardstock.
Foam Squares
I use foam squares mostly for die cuts or small things. These are the ones I prefer:
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Foam Tape for Shaker Cards
When I want to make a shaker card and need a long, thin piece of foam that will bend easily around the shape I’m using, I use these 3D Foam Strips by Couture Creations. They are long, thin foam strips that are perfect for shaker cards and card making in general. They are 1/8″ thick and over 9″ long. You get 33 in a pack and they go a long way.
Pixie Spray – Repositionable Spray Adhesive for Stencils (& Storage)
When I store or use my stencils, I always spray them with repositionable adhesive so that they will stick to the backer card (laminated cardstock) that I store them on, or to the paper when I’m stenciling. I used to use another kind of adhesive but this year I discovered Pixie Spray by iCraft which works ridiculously well and is not a sticky mess when you are finished.
This adhesive makes it easy to place your stencil on your paper and have it stick while you work on your project. I find that I don’t need to tape the stencil down anymore. However, it won’t stick “too much”. What I mean is that when you are finished with the stencil, I suggest spraying it again with the adhesive so that it will stick to your backer card (if that’s how you store it). (Link: How I store my stencils) if you don’t store your stencils attached to something, then you don’t need to re-spray it until you are ready to use it again.
Hot Glue Gun
I’m still using the same glue gun that I used last year. It’s still my favorite. The Surebonder H-195 Mini Detailed Glue Gun. Mine is blue but I wasn’t able to find the same color online anymore, but this is the same one, just a different color. The things I love about it are the fine tip and the fact that it has an on/off switch! Those two things are very important to me and I love this glue gun!
Hot Glue Sticks
I buy my glue sticks at Michael’s Craft store. I don’t use a special kind or anything, just whatever is on sale. But here are some options if you’d rather purchase them online. (Make sure you are buying the right size for your glue gun (large or small).
Hi Kat – Which removable adhesive do you like? Just wanting to make sure I understand. Admission: if there’s a way to get confused I’ll find it. 😉 thanks!
Hi Beth,
I find that most removable adhesives are the same so I have one tape runner by tombow that I use as well as removable glue dots in a tape runner as well. I hope that helps.
Makes sense, thanks. There weren’t any links, at least not that I saw, so wondered. (I’d rather use an affiliate link.)
That’s sweet, thanks for your support. Here is a link to the two I use Tape Runner – http://amzn.to/337HXwi
Glue Dot Runner: http://amzn.to/2KzFULd
Great, thanks! I’ve got tried and true permanent adhesives but hadn’t happened upon good removable ones other than one tape. I’ll get these two!
YW, let me know which you prefer 🙂