It's very important to have a basic knowledge of adhesives when you're paper crafting. Over the years I have tried several different adhesives on several different projects and listened to feedback of customers/colleagues as I have also worked in a scrapbooking retail store for several years. Hopefully with this basic information, I can help you to get started with your paper projects or scrapbook pages...and if you'd rather have me do the creating for you, I assure you everything will be made with acid free, photo safe adhesive!
First and foremost, I recommend only ACID FREE adhesives. If you're working with photos in your project, the adhesive needs to be photo safe. With that said, I recommend a dry adhesive for any projects that will include photos. You don't want to risk any damage to the photo with a wet adhesive.
The difference between the two - a dry adhesive includes photo mounting squares, double sided photo tape, or adhesive that comes from a dispenser in the form of dots, tabs, or a solid strip. Most of these dispensers also have refills available. The dry adhesives I mentioned are quick, not a mess, and easy to use.
Wet adhesives are more commonly known as glue sticks, rubber cement glue, Elmer's glue, a glue pen, or another bottled glue. I recommend only using glue sticks for school paper projects. They're super easy for kids to use, but when working on a scrapbook page or another project, the glue stick won't hold everything together forever and if you use too much glue, your paper will warp. Same for Elmer's glue, it will stick a little bit better than a glue stick once it dries, but chances are your paper and pictures will bubble. Rubber cement glue - ah...first of all, it does not smell good, and secondly to my knowledge, it is not photo safe. Over time, applying this to the back of your photos will harm them.
JUST GETTING STARTED: My recommendation for someone just getting started and not wanting to invest a lot of money into the project just yet is Pioneer Photo Sticker Squares. You can get approximately 250 photo sticker squares for about $1.99 at most retailers. With about one tab in each corner of your photo and one in the middle, you can adhere a lot of photos and paper!
PERFECT FOR YOUR PHOTOS: I have tried several different adhesives that come in a round dispenser. My absolute favorite is the Tombow Mono Permanent Adhesive. This adhesive is a solid line and has a strong bond. The Tombow is so easy to use and so easy to refill - no adhesive buildup and you control how much you use. I recommend a 1/2-1 inch of this adhesive in each corner of the photo and a 1-2 inch strip in the center, depending on the size of the photo. I use the Tombow for paper on paper and photo on paper projects, including my scrapbook pages. The dispenser, 472 inches of adhesive, retails for about $5.99. The refills, also 472 inches, retail for about $3.99.
DO YOU EMBELLISH? Clear adhesive dots, which include brand names, Glue Dots and Zots, are clearly my favorite for attaching ribbon, buttons, 3-D items, and other metal or acrylic embellishments. You can also use these clear dots on glass, plastic, wood and more! There are several different sizes of dots, depending on what you're adhering. I often buy more of the small size because I can adhere the smaller items and can always add more than one to something that is a bit bigger. Ok, I'll be honest, I own every size, but if that's not an option, there are many size options for you to choose from! A package of about 200 (depending on the size of dot you choose) retails for about $3.99.
OTHER PROJECTS: Another paper project you may need adhesive for, certainly is not limited to, but may include chipboard or wood. Sometimes I love the Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive made by Scotch, and other times I don't. Depending on the size of your project (ie., 12x12 in.), once you apply this adhesive, you had better apply fast, evenly and apply your paper quickly. Very appropriate name, the quick dry adhesive does just that. I recommend using it on paper projects that are a bit smaller. This will give you time to apply the adhesive and adhere your paper just right. You'll have more success with a smaller sized project (ie., 6x6 in). I also recommend applying it with a foam brush as you can smooth it out quicker and much easier. It's not as easy to apply as some others, but it certainly holds very well!
Another adhesive I would recommend for paper projects including chipboard and wood is Plaid Paper Mod Podge. You can purchase this in either a matte or glossy finish and a few different bottle sizes. Often used as a sealer/finish for paper projects, it can also be used as an adhesive. Same thing - apply it with a foam brush. It doesn't dry nearly as fast as the Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive, and it doesn't hold as well over time, but it's easier to apply for the bigger sized projects.
There are several other adhesives that I have used and highly recommend, but I don't use them as often on my projects.
Adhesive Foam Squares (EK Success): thick, double-sided adhesive foam adds dimension to your project
Wonder Tape Adhesive (Suze Weinberg): heat resistant, double-sided clear mylar tape, various sizes, used for adhering micro beads, sand, glitter and more
The Essential Glue Pad (Tsukineko): is essentially an ink pad, but instead an adhesive pad. You apply the glue to the dry pad from the bottle included. This works great for rubber stamps, clear stamps to apply ultra-fine glitter, chalk, and powdered pigments.
Herma Dotto Permanent Adhesive (EK Success): self-adhesive dots in a dispenser, refillable, both permanent and removable available
Herma Vario Tabs (EK Success): double-sided adhesive square tabs (1/2" X 1/2"), easy to refill
Quickie Glue Pen (Sakura): with a fine point tip, this adhesive is perfect for adhering all of those small paper pieces such as die cuts, punches, and other paper embellishments
create-a-sticker(Xyron): This is also a simple way to apply adhesive to smaller die cut letter and shapes and punches. Permanent and repositionable available, refillable
Scrapbook Adhesives photo corners(3L): self-adhesive, available in black, white, gold, kraft, ivory, and silver, they're sure to fit perfectly around your photos. Very easy, just slide onto your 4 photo corners and press onto the paper
I hope I have at least helped you to understand the importance of choosing the right adhesive for your project. If you're still not sure which adhesive is right for your project or would like a different recommendation, let me know. Regardless, it's important to invest in an adhesive that will last and not cause any damage to your photos or projects over time.
These are only recommendations made by myself. There is no liability for any product you choose to use on your paper and photo projects.
