I have an entire drawer dedicated to adhesives – it is really quite the collection!  But when you think about it, adhesives are really VERY important in scrapbooking, after all they keep it all together – without adhesives we just could not be scrappers! 

There are all types, styles and forms of adhesives.  Which work well and when?  Here’s a look at different types of adhesives….

There are two basic types of adhesives: wet and dry.   The wet adhesive comes in a liquid, paste, stick or spray form – as the name implies, it is wet or moist when applied.  The dry adhesive comes in the form of a strip, tab, dot, photo corners or tape.   Also, adhesives are usually either permanent or repositionable.

Here is a look at the different types of adhesives with some of their advantages and disadvantages.

For each adhesive type, you will also find a list of the favorite brands used by The Scrapbook Site Design Team.  In several cases, each DT member uses different brands – in many cases there is not one superior brand, but it comes down to a personal choice.  You have to find the adhesive that works best for you with your scrapping.  Take a look at the DT recommendations – there are some tricks, ideas & tips to help you select the adhesives that will best help you HOLD IT ALL TOGETHER!

Mounting Squares (MS):

Mounting squares are double-sided tabs of adhesive that are usually dispensed from a box.  They are removed individually from the boxes, making them easy to place exactly where you want them & this also helps to not use more than needed (a problem with many other adhesives).  The mounting squares work well for photos, papers, cardstock & lightweight embellishments.  The mounting squares tend to be more cost efficient than the adhesive dispensers.  The main disadvantage is that the placing of the tabs & removal of the backing can be a bit time consuming (compared to other adhesive applications) and also the small backing pieces need to be cleaned up & can end up all over. 

TSS DT Favorites:

• Elayne uses mounting squares in some of her layouts because they tend to be the least expensive adhesive (although she is tending more toward the adhesive dispensers mainly due to the ease of the dispensers).  There is not one particular brand that she regularly uses, just about any are good at holding together photos and papers.

Adhesive Dispensers (AD):

Adhesive dispensers are generally a convenient, fast and easy way to add adhesive to your scrapbook layouts or projects.   These hand held dispensers allow you to quickly adhere rows of adhesive across your photos, layouts or projects.  There are a variety of adhesive types that come in dispensers - some apply a solid line of adhesive, while others dispense tabs or “glue” dots as with the Dotto.  There are repositionable and permanent adhesives.  Some dispensers are refillable, while others are single use.  The adhesive dispensers generally work well for photos, papers, cardstock & lightweight embellishments. There are MANY brands of adhesive dispensers & some tend to work much better than others.  The biggest downfall of ALL adhesive dispensers is that it is easy to use more adhesive than needed and quickly empty the dispenser – but this can be solved if you are careful and use it only as needed to hold your projects together.  Some people experience difficulties refilling some of the dispensers.   At times the tape in some dispensers can clog or get gummed up and the applicator tends then not to work well until cleaned up.

TSS DT Favorites:

• Patti uses the Therm O Web Memory Tape Runner XL.  She loves this adhesive because the refills are SO easy to install. Just pop it right in! She has never had the cartridge get stuck.  Also, the refills are available just about anywhere like Michael's and AC Moore.
• Kristi loves the Dotto permanent dots.   Kristi noted that dispenser does tend to get gunked up and sometimes the tape pulls to one side. One way she has found to combat that is whatever way your tape tends to slide, lean the dispenser slightly to the opposite side when using it. That will pull the tape back to the center. You will still get full coverage, the tape will stay in place better and in turn the dispenser won't get as gunked up.  Also when you put in a refill, make sure to take an extra minute to pull of any gunky stuff that may have accumulated around the edges and then it will be as good as new. 
• Trish’s preferred adhesive dispenser is the Tombo Mono Adhesive.  Patty also uses the Tombo when she needs a “line” of adhesive – for things like the back of ribbon to secure it across a page.
• Rachel uses the DUCK Double Stick Adhesive.  She likes it because it is quick and easy. The dispenser does not get gummed up like some runners and when she is done with a dispenser, she just tosses in the trash & grabs a new one, no hassling with refilling.  Just make sure to hold the dispenser the right way (with the DUCK up) or you can jam the dispenser & cause problems.  Elayne has also used the DUCK with good success, although a couple times the tape inside the dispenser has broke, probably from pushing too hard.
• Patty favors the Dotto Dispenser with the permanent tabs – she find that the work quick & easy & she can use those Michael’s coupons to buy refills.
• Patty uses the Dotto Dispenser with the repositional dots for a temporary hold, she finds this useful when she runs small pieces through the printer- she can  temporarily attach my cardstock to the printer paper

Photo Corners (PC):

Photo corners do not adhere to your photos, but instead just hold the photo in place – great in cases where you may need to remove the photos from layouts.  The photo corners themselves are secured to your layout & then the photos are tucked inside the photo corners.  Photo corners are a classic, stylish way of holding photos.  Scrapbook companies sell decorative photo corners in many styles and colors.  The main disadvantage is that occasionally photos do pop out of the photo corners.  There are many brands of Photo Corners depending on the style & color that you are looking for.

Adhesive Dots (DO):

Adhesive Dots are easy-to-use, super-sticky, pressure-sensitive adhesive products available in a variety of sizes, including 3D (to add more dimension to your layouts).  The adhesive dots are often used for bulkier or heavier embellishments that cannot be held done with other adhesives, such as metals, buttons, flowers, or chipboard.  Once disadvantage is that the adhesive dots are VERY sticky and can stick to your fingers – to avoid this problem, we recommend that you stick the dots directly to your project surface.   Also, they are definitely not repositionable – so place them carefully!

TSS DT Favorites:

• The design team is pretty much in agreement that they cannot live without adhesive dots! 
• Trish, Patty and Kristi have found that the Glue Dots brand works best for them – this brand sticks REALLY well, holding heavy items to their pages.  They also work well for those Prima flowers that everyone loves to use on layouts.
• Rachel prefers the Wacky Tac Adhesive Glue Dots. They are not too sticky, thus more forgiving and are easy to use. They also add a tiny bit of dimension to pages.

Mounting Foam (MF):

Mounting foam is precut double-sided foam that can be used in your scrapbooking projects.  The foam is raised (3D), thus adding dimension to your work.  You can use on paper or embellishments.

TSS DT Favorites:

• Elayne was introduced to foam squares at the last CHA (in February) & has been a fan every since.  They are easy to use, hold well & add dimension to layouts.   She has several sizes and brands & all do the job.  She finds them easier to use then dots because they are not as sticky and hard to work with.

Liquid Glues (GL):

There are many wet scrapbooking adhesives that come in a bottle or pens.  These glues are great for adhering paper, ribbon, letters, and all types of embellishments.  The glues dispensers (especially the pens) come with different types of applicator tips that help control whether there is a small amount or large amount of glue dispensed.   The main advantage is that the glue is versatile and can be used for many applications.  One disadvantage of the glue, as compared to other adhesive types, is that glue must be given time to dry.  It can also be a bit messier to use in comparison to the dry adhesives.   Sometimes the tips of the bottles or pens can get clogged, but they can be unclogged by inserting a needle into the tip.  

TSS DT Favorites:

• Elayne uses several Zig brand glue pens for smaller items (such as small letters or die cuts).  The pens work well at dispensing glue, although occasional they clog, but that is easily fixed by cleaning the end of the pen.

Adhesive Sheets (AS):

There are a couple types of adhesive sheets – the most popular is the Xyron machine.  The Xyron machine can be used to turn and flat embellishment or diecut or piece of paper into a sticker.  An item is “run through” the machine & comes out with an adhesive completely applied.  The item can them be applied to any surface.  The Xyron machines come in several sizes & refills are available for all.  The larger the machine, the more expensive the machine & the refill.  There are also sheets of adhesive that can be purchased and used without a machine.

TSS DT Favorites:

• Patti never leaves home without her Xyron machine – she uses it when she needs good coverage for things like cards, mini albums or projects that will be handled, it holds well.
• Kristi likes her little Xyron machine, it is great for the small die cut letters like such as Sizzlets.
  

Adhesive Tape Rolls (ATR):

Also available to scrapbookers is adhesive tape rolls – double sided tape that comes in rolls.  You can then cut pieces to your desired length for your projects.   The tape rolls tend to be very strong adhesive that work well for securing heavier items.  There are a variety of types – some like the Scotch brand double-sided tape comes on a regular tape dispensers.  Others like, come in a roll & pieces are pulled off, secured & then the backing must be removed to use.

TSS DT Favorites:

• Kristi uses the 3L Photo Tape.  She uses it to run along ribbon to attach lengths of it to a layout & also used to hold down stitches on the back of a layout after sewing.
• Patti love the Scotch brand double-sided tape, it is great for ribbon, fibers, and to hold things stronger. (i.e.: if she makes her own album and cover with patterned paper, this tape holds down the edges with no problem).

Specialty Adhesives (SA):

There are several types of specialty adhesive that have more specific or fun uses in scrapbooking. 

Mod Podge® is a great adhesive tool for scrapbookers!  This glue dries clear and holds tight.  You can apply easily with a foam brush (also used for paints).  It will adhere paper, fabric and other porous materials. Mod Podge® is can be used as a sealer on projects to help protect the surface.   Mod Podge® comes in three finished – the gloss finish dries to a high-gloss shine; Matte finish creates a more muted look, and Sparkle finish adds a glistening finish to any project! Don't forget to sand between coats for an ultra-smooth finish.

Diamond Glaze™ is a dimensional adhesive that dries to a clear glass-like finish. For scrapbooking, it can be used as an adhesive to securely hold papers, vellums, glass beads, glitter and other similar mediums. Diamond Glaze™ can also be used to enhance embellishments – simply paint over papers, brads, flowers, or anything else on your page to give it a shiny finish.  Unlike other clear adhesives, Diamond Glaze™ is mixable with dye-based inks, watercolor, pearlescent pigments and more to add different looks.

TSS DT Favorites:

• Elayne has recently become a fan of Diamond Glaze – it works great as an adhesive, but it also fun to use to enhance embellishments.  Try it on  diecut titles or other paper die cuts – the Diamond Glaze gives them a completely new & fun look!
• Trish gives Mod Podge two thumbs up! Shes uses it for all types of projects as a glue and sealer!