Despite the many and varied brands of glue on the market, they really boil down to just five basic types – water-based glue, solvent based glue, animal glue, two-part glue and cyanoacrylate glue, which is better known as super glue. Most papercraft glue falls into the water or solvent based categories, but there are crafters who prefer other glues depending on the materials being used and what the project is for.
Despite being used interchangeably, the words glue and adhesive have quite distinct meanings – glues are substances that have natural origins while adhesives are synthetic. Technically, hot glue guns deliver liquid polymer, a synthetic product, and would therefore more appropriately be called hot adhesive guns… but let’s not split hairs!
When choosing a glue, it’s important to carefully read the label to determine if the product is suitable for the intended project – does it hold up to wear and tear; is it toxic; and what are the clean up requirements? It’s a good idea to test glue on scraps from your project, particularly fabrics and ribbon which will sometimes discolour when glue is applied. Ask other crafters about their preferred product and don’t be shy about requesting information from retailers and demonstrators.
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