Best Glue for Paper Crafts

Paper crafting and card crafting is a fun and rewarding hobby but knowing what the best Glue for Paper Crafts that fits your project can be a task. You may have cut out your project all ready to assemble and your glue is wet and messy and warps your paper or your glue nozzle is all blocked up. After trying and testing many glues over the years I’ve put together the ultimate list of paper glues for all of your crafting needs. It’s always a good idea to get the right type of glue to start with rather than risking ruining your project.

This is the Ultimate Guide to all of the Best Paper Glues, Card Glues and Adhesives for all of your Paper Projects and Card Craft Projects.

When looking for the best adhesive you need to consider the type of paper, card or materials you are working with and how it will assembled. Do you want to make each layer of paper a little higher? Do you want to use very thin vellum or paper? Some projects will require something a bit more demanding so glue sticks are a great way to fix together bulky projects. This is a list of all of the glues that work well with paper.

What various types of glue work with paper?

When looking for the best adhesive you need to consider the type of project you are doing. You may want to start a scrapbook or make a project with your child for school. There are several types of paper glue, wet, dry, tape, permanent and non permanent that will work well for paper crafts. Here are some of the best different types of good craft glue on the market and what they are used for:

Different t Types of Glue

1. PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate) Glue: This is a popular glue for paper crafts, especially for making paper mache projects, scrapbooking, and creating paper-based art. It is a white, thick wet glue that dries clear and is easy to apply. This is the type of glue you see in the classroom its wet and warp if used to excessively.
2. Glue Stick: Glue sticks are a popular choice for children’s crafts under supervision. They are easy to use and do not create a mess. They are also a great option for awkward shape paper crafts and ones that require a strong hold.
3. Double-sided Tape: This is a great option for attaching paper to other surfaces, such as cardstock or chipboard. It creates a clean, flat finish and is easy to use and quite strong. Double sided tapes come in a range of widths.
4. Liquid Glue: This type of glue is versatile and can be used for a variety of paper crafts. It is available in a variety of formulas alos including white that dries clear, fast-drying, and tacky. These types of glue are often used in fine nozzle bottles for precise projects. Very useful in mixed media projects.
5. Tape Runner: A tape runner is similar to double-sided tape but comes in a dispenser that allows for easy application. It is a great option for attaching photos and doing photo collages. It works well for fast adhesion on small embellishments on scrapbook pages too
6. Glue corners: These are a mixture of glue and paper used to secure photo collages and important documents. These are ideal for photos that you will want to remove without damaging them
7. Foam pads: Foam pads which are sticky both sides these are great for crating space in a project such as a shadow bow of a layered paper craft project.
8. Spray Glue: Is also known as spray adhesive, is a type of adhesive that is applied by spraying a mist of glue onto a surface. Spray glue typically comes in an aerosol can and is used for a variety of applications, including crafts, woodworking, automotive, and upholstery projects. It is applied quickly and evenly, and can cover large surfaces quickly.However, because spray glue is a form of aerosol, it can be harmful if the fumes are inhaled or ingested.
9. Glue pen: A glue pen is a type of adhesive applicator that looks like a pen and is used for precise and controlled application of glue. The glue is dispensed through a small tip, similar to that of a ballpoint pen. Glue pens are commonly used for paper crafting and other small-scale projects.

What are the best brands of wet glue for paper crafting?

There are many different brands of wet glue available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses depending on the specific use. It is important to bear in mind that wet adhesives are exactly that wet, so too much might wrinkle or warp paper. You can use less but applying small dots with a fine applicator by using paintbrushes or a plastic spreader. Here are some of the best-known brands of glue and some of my absolute favourite tried and tested glues for paper crafting.

Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue best over all for paper crafting

Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue is the glue that everyone is raving over and is now my favourite glue hands down number 1 for me. It has redefined what we need from glue it is a tough, durable and clear-drying. Bearly Arts glue is non-toxic and specially formulated to be flexible, wrinkle resistant, clump resistant. This means it will thaw if frozen meaning at can be shipped all year round.

It has a unique multiple precision tips and comes with a cap and a pin to keep the glue from clogging. This means no need for a separate fine bottle. The pin can stay in and it will not clump it produces tiny drops of glue and is so easy and effortless! A little drop of glue goes a long way. There is a little wiggle room after applying to paper but not a lot.  This is not a pva glue the formulation is a special VAE mixture that was developed over the course of a year.

The only con is it is on the expensive side of the market. If you are in the USA it is readily available online at the Bearly Arts online store. However if you are in the UK or europe it may become harder to come by. I am UK based and I buy my Bearly arts glue from Bumbleberry crafts where it is reasonably priced unlike the extortionate price hike on Amazon.

This is now the glue I use for all my Layered SVGS as well foam squares.

Art Glitter Glue

Darkroom Door Art Glitter glue is a firm favourite with crafters and comes a close second to that of Bearly Arts glue. Arts Glitter glue does not have glitter in it but a very fine tip. Art Glitter Glue is a popular choice among paper crafters and is known for its ability to provide a strong, permanent bond while also allowing for easy and precise application of glitter and other embellishments.

You only need a very small amount and it bonds quickly and so great for paper as it doesn’t buckle it. You also do not need to use a lot a little goes along way.

Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue Pen

The Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue Pen is a type of glue pen that is commonly used for paper crafting and other small-scale projects. It has a fine pen-like tip for precise gluing, as well as a soft silicone tip for applying glue to larger areas

The glue itself is a clear, water-based adhesive that goes on easily and dries clear. It is acid-free and photo-safe, making it a good choice for use in scrapbooking and other projects where the preservation of photos and other documents is important.

The Tombow MONO multi Liquid Glue Pen

The Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue is a versatile adhesive glue used for various crafting, scrapbooking, and paper projects. This glue pen is designed to provide multiple bonding options with different application tips, broad tip and a fine tip. The broad tip is ideal for applying glue to large areas, while the fine tip is perfect for precise and intricate work. The glue Acid free it is white when applied and dries clear.

One of the unique features of the Tombow MONO multi Liquid Glue is that it can be used in two ways. When applied to paper while still wet, the glue creates a permanent bond. However, if the glue is allowed to dry before attaching the paper, it creates a temporary bond that can be repositioned or removed. This is a great value for money glue and lasts along time! It is easy to use and produce small dots and I always keep one in my craft room stash.

Cosmic Shimmer Glue

Another good choice is Cosmic Shimmer Glue. Cosmic Shimmer Glue is available in different sizes, including a fine-tip applicator that allows for easy and precise application of the glue for small dots of glue. It is also available in different finishes, such as glitter and pearl, which can add an extra decorative touch to a project.

Overall, Cosmic Shimmer Glue is a versatile and popular adhesive among paper crafters and is known for its ability to provide a strong, permanent clear bond while also allowing for creative and decorative effects.

Elmer’s best for bulk buy and value for money

Elmer’s is a popular brand of school glue that is often used for arts and crafts projects. It dries clear and is easy to clean up with water. Elmer’s also makes other types of glue, including wood glue and super glue. Elmers is easily available in America but you can get in the UK also. It is great value for money and comes in great quantities that can easily be dispensed in to small bottle. It should be used sparingly or it will warp paper.

Aleene’s craft glue tacky glue

Aleene’s is a brand of craft glue that is often used for fabric and paper crafts. Their products are designed to dry quickly and hold up to repeated use. It is thicker (hence the ‘Tacky’ in the name), and waiting for a few seconds after application increases the tack and holding power even more. Aleenes tacky glue is readily available on Amazon in the UK and the USA

Tape runners and double sided tape adhesive

Tape runners are a great way of applying double sided tape

E-Z Tape runner

My second choice of runner would be the the E-Z Tape runner is a lightweight adhesive tape runner that is commonly used in paper crafting, scrapbooking, and other crafting projects. It is a hand-held tool that dispenses a strip of double-sided adhesive tape when rolled over a surface.

The E-Z tape runner typically uses a permanent adhesive that creates a strong, long-lasting bond between two surfaces. The E-Z tape runner is designed to be easy to use and provides a mess-free way to apply adhesive to a variety of surfaces. The tape is dispensed from a cartridge inside the tool, which can be easily replaced when it runs out. The adhesive tape is acid-free and photo-safe, making it a good choice for use in scrapbooking and other paper crafting projects. It is great for affixing photos too scrapbook page.

Scotch ATG Adhesive tape gun

Scotch ATG Adhesive Transfer Tape Gun is my go to tape runner for all of my scrapbooking pages. It take a bit of getting used to if you want to put on a little bit at a time but I love it as it lasts forever! The pink gun with the finer 6mm tape is becoming harder to come by. If you purchase the yellow ATG700 you will need an adapter to use 6mm acid free tape if not you will have to use the 12mm tape which is not acid free ( I believe ).

The adapter you can purchase at various places such as Viking tapes this will enable you to adapt the roller to fit the thinner tape. The tape comes away from the glue and leaves an instant glue surface to attach paper or card.

The acid free thinner 6mm Scotch tape runner refills come in packs of two. You can find the 12mm/ half inch refills here.

Glue pens for precision work

Zig Memory System 2 way glue pen

One popular brand of glue pen is the Zig Memory System 2 Way Glue Pen. This pen contains a water-based glue that can be used for temporary or permanent bonding. The glue goes on blue, allowing users to see where it has been applied, and dries clear. The Zig Memory System 2 Way Glue Pen is commonly used for scrapbooking, card making, and other paper crafting projects. The pen comes in lots of different tip thicknesses the glue is not as strong a hold as wet glue but ideal for a fixing small pieces of paper, flowers, gems or embellishments.

Sakura Quickie Glue Pen

Another good brand of glue pen is the Sakura Quickie Glue Pen designed to provide precise and controlled application of glue.

Glazes for attaching embellishments to paper and card

Acrylic shapes and embellishments are harder to glue on to paper. Using an acrylic translucent glazer such as Diamond Glaze or Glossy accents works well. Especially if you are working with clear acrylic or acetate. You need a scrapbooking adhesive that is clear. A clear glaze, such as Diamond Glaze, will provide a clear layer of adhesive. As the glaze dries, it gives a crystal clear bond. You can also use this to apply a layer of glaze over the top of embellishments.

Two types of glossy glaze are:

• Glossy accents 
• Diamond Glaze

Glue sticks for paper

Glues sticks are good to use with paper as they are acid free and cheap to use. They are a sticky drier glue so they do not get the paper wet. Some good glues sticks are:

• Pritt Stick
• Ultra stick

Foam pads for sticking paper and card

Foam pads for sticking paper and card are a great way to raise up your projects. They are also useful for making shaker cards. They also come in different sizes and different thicknesses as well as full sheets you can cut yourself. Some really good foam sticker pads on the market are:

• Cubies Polar foam pads from Bearly Arts
• Long thins pads great for shakers
• Stix 2 A4 sheets
• Stick it foam tape
• Stix 2 clear foam on a roll

Other various types of glue for paper include:

• Modge Podge: is a decoupage for paper and a great sealant
• Glue Dots: Small dots of double-sided gel for affixing small objects.
• Rubber cement: A quick drying solvent glue
• Washi Tape: colourful paper tape to affix two pages together.

Tips for glue application

• Apply glue in small dots to paper to affix this prevents warping using this method:

• Tap the opening of the metal or plastic tip to the surface before gently squeezing the bottle
• keeping the bottle in the almost vertical position apply dots of glue to the surface
• A series of dots is sufficient to adhere the items together.
• Alternatively use a paint spreader
• Use a paint brush

Ultimately try different glues until you get the right one. Use sparingly or choice a stronger glue you can use less of. Using glue sticks and PVA is good for children’s projects. If your can recommend any more please let me know!