Sunday, 9 November 2008

Scrapbooking Adhesives: Stick to the Basics

Scrapbookers have so many choices in scrapbooking adhesives. Manufacturers are offering more and more options to meet the needs of this hobby.  Scrapbooking techniques have continued to change over time, and now scrapbookers need adhesives that can handle the newest techniques and trends.

Photo safe is the most important quality when choosing a scrapbooking adhesive.  Make sure any adhesive you choose is archival sage, especially when using them on the back of your photographs.  Scrapbookers have so many choices when it comes to adhesives.

Photo Corners: These are the first adhesives used in modern scrapbooking.  They are still very popular.  Photo corners were a great choice because they allow you to remove the item from the page, giving you a temporary adhesive.  They would very for heritage photos, and any other page elements you don't want to permanently glue to your layout.  Check your local scrapbooking store for the variety of photo corners available.  They come in different colors, including metallic colors.

Glue:  When it comes to versatility, glue is the best option for adhesives in scrapbooking.  It comes in pens, tubes or bottles, each suited to different types of gluing.  For example, use a glue pen for your smallest page elements.  Glues come in many varieties, including repositionable and permanent.  Specialized glues are available for metal or fabric.

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:  Available in rolls or sheets, glue dots provide a strong bond for heavy embellishments.  They work well with fabric, ribbons and textured materials as well.  Glue dots are available in a variety of sizes.

Glue Sticks: Still a favorite among scrapbookers, glue sticks are less messy than most glue. They allow you to cover a wide area quickly. Yet, they still can be used on small items.  Before you purchase glue sticks, make sure they are photo-safe.  You don't want the ones made for school projects.

Adhesive Spray:  Scrapbookers love adhesive spray because it provides even coverage and transparency.  A perfect choice for vellum, it doesn't show through like some other glue alternatives do.  Always cover your work space before you apply adhesive glue.  It can easily leave over spray.

Tape:  Scrapbookers find many uses for both double-sided and standard tape.  One-sided tape can be used to cover the prongs on brads and eyelets, so your pages don't get caught on them.

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 titles and letters.

With so many scrapbooking adhesives to choose from, you'll want to stock up on your favorites.  Watch your favorite craft stores for sales.  Make sure you pack a variety of adhesive options for your next workshop or crop.  You'll be sure to have the right adhesive for your next scrapbooking project.

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.

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