Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The Basics of Scrapbooking Adhesives

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 a necessity for any scrapbooker. Tape runners allow you to quickly place adhesive on a large surface, and makes for quick scrapbooking page layouts. They are double-sided adhesive, and come in a roll or in dispensers. They are one of the more economical options for scrapbooking adhesives. You use only the amount you need.

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: Glue sticks provide a convenient, easy-to-use alternative to glue, without the sticky mess. You can cover a large area quickly, making them a great choice for creating fast layouts. Before you buy a glue stick, make sure it states that it is photo-safe. Some varieties, like those use for school projects, are not.

Adhesive Spray: The advantages of adhesive spray are even coverage and transparency. They work well with vellum, unlike some adhesives that will show through the paper. You do have to be very careful with over spray. Always put down paper to cover your work surface before using adhesive 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: Dots and squares are common shapes for foam tape. Double-sided, this adhesive gives your page elements a dimensional effect. Try using them with letters and titles and add some interest to your pages.

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 ideas and creative memories scrapbooking.

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