Scrapbooking Adhesives 101
Written by Post on June 4th, 2009 in Home & Family.
Scrapbooking adhesives come in more choices than ever. As this hobby grows, the manufacturers are responding to the needs of scrapbookers. Since page layouts have moved from just photos, paper and a few stickers to more complex designs like 3-D elements, metals, fabric and ribbon, scrapbookers now need adhesives that can handle the latest in scrapbooking techniques and trends.
The primary concern when choosing scrapbooking adhesives is to make sure it is archival safe. All adhesives used on scrapbooking pages must be safe for your photos. You have a variety of options available to use on the back of your photos or scrapbooking embellishments.
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: Whether in pens, bottles or tubes, glue is the most versatile adhesive option for scrapbookers. Glue pens allow you to put a tiny dot of glue where ever you need it. They come in permanent and repositionable varieties, as well as specialized glues made for fabric or metal.
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: If you don’t want the mess of glue, glue sticks are a convenient alternative. They glide on easily and allow you to cover a large area quickly. You can still use them on small embellishments too. Use only glue sticks that specifically state they are photo-safe. Stay away from the ones that are for school use.
Adhesive Spray: Adhesive sprays provide transparency and even coverage. They don’t show through paper like many adhesives, making them perfect for vellum. Be careful with over spray. You always want to cover your work surface before using adhesive spray.
Tape: Double-sided tape is a basic scrapbooking adhesive. Standard one-sided tape is also a must-have for scrapbookers. Apply one-sided tape to the back of eyelets or brads to keep the prongs from catching on the paper.
Foam Tape: Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, like dots and squares, foam tape gives your scrapbooking layouts a dimensional effect. They work very well with scrapbooking titles and letters.
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 techniques and creative memories scrapbooking.
