Papercrafts are a fun and beautiful art form that are worth trying for your next creative project.
Are you looking to become an absolute papercraft pro? Then look no further.
We’ll be answering common papercraft glue-related questions so you can jump into your next creative project!
We’ll talk about:
- The best glues for papercraft
- The wonders of papercrafts
- Why our PapercraftWorld papercrafts are unique
Let’s dive right in!
What Are Papercrafts?
Papercrafts are a type of craft that uses paper or cards as the primary material. This material is then be used to create two or three-dimensional projects that can range from exotic animals to city skylines!
It’s popular for many reasons, from the simplicity and accessibility of materials to the huge variety of projects that can be created with them.
Papercrafts are a great way to unleash your creativity, especially as this art form can be used to build stunning and complex projects.
What’s Special about Our Papercrafts?
Pre-made, Pre-cut Kits. Take Them Out of the Package and Start Building!
There’s no need to fuss around with measuring and cutting paper for your next project.
Our pre-made, pre-cut kits guarantee that you have all the right shapes and sizes to embark on a successful papercraft project.
Life-like Tabletop and Wall Designs
Our tabletop and wall designs are the perfect example of how papercrafts are not just enjoyable to make, but can also have practical functions.
Bring some life and personality into your living space with our life-like tabletop and wall designs.
The best part? When you inevitably receive compliments on these projects from awed guests, you get to brag that you made them yourself!
Over 80+ Different Kits to Choose From
Concerned that you won't be able to find a papercraft project that appeals to you?
Don’t worry! We have over 80 different unique papercraft kits for you to choose from.
Whether that’s hummingbirds or dragons, there’s guaranteed to be something that fits your style!
Friendly for Both Kids and Adults.
These papercraft projects are fun for the whole family and suitable for adults and children alike.
Whether it’s for yourself, your child, or a project that you want to tackle together, we have papercraft kits that are great for all ages.
5 Best Glues to Use for Papercrafts
An important part of creating your papercraft project is choosing the right glue.
It’s the bond that holds your entire piece of art together, so you want one that does the job properly.
So, what glue do you pick? Not to worry — we’ve got the best glues to use for papercrafts below!
1. Aleene’s Tacky Glue
This is hands down the best go-to glue for your papercraft project.
This glue has a precise applicator to sidestep messes and mistakes. The adhesive also dries quickly so that you can have your project bonded in no time!
Aleene’s Tacky Glue comes in a convenient pen form and is super affordable; you can pick one up right here at our store!
Pros:
- Convenient, precise pen form — You can navigate into tight spaces and complex shapes with this applicator
- Fast-drying — Cut down on that dreaded wait time with this glue’s fast-drying formula
- Non-toxic — This is particularly good if children are going to be involved in the project, as there are no potential health risks involved
- Affordable — You’re not going to break the bank picking up a tube of this glue!
- Easy to wash off skin — Again, this is great news if any children are going to be using this glue, or even particularly clumsy adults (guilty!). This glue will wash off skin with just regular soap and warm water.
Cons:
- Smaller size — This pen won’t last through multiple large projects. The good news is that it’s so cheap, you can stock up on a few at a time.
- Fast-drying — This can be a pro to some and a con to others. The speed at which this glue dries doesn’t leave much room for error, so be sure you’re placing your paper in the correct place before you apply it!
Aleene's Tacky Glue Pen - #1 Papercraft Glue
$3.99
Aleene's Tacky Glue Pen is the #1 recommended glue for papercrafting! The pen allows you to precisely place small amounts of glue on the papercraft tabs. Enjoy mess-free and easy application with its precise tip, while keeping your fingers and… read more
2. Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue
The Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue is a great pick for those looking for a glue that can be used for a range of different projects.
The interchangeable application tips make this glue extremely versatile, making it useful for craft projects both large and small.
Pros:
- Clear-drying — This glue dries clear and becomes invisible when applied to your papercraft project and left to dry
- Multiple-sized tips — This glue comes with multiple different application tips so you can get better control depending on the needs of your different projects
- Wrinkle- and clump-resistant — This formula is crafted (pun not intended) to stay smooth and prevent wrinkling in your projects
- Freeze-thaw stable — If you want to bulk buy your glue, then this is a great pick. This glue has been tested to be stable for up to five freeze-thaw cycles!
Cons:
- Smell — There have been reports of this glue having a particularly strong smell. If you’re sensitive to scents, you may want glue with a less intense odor
- Not fast drying — This glue dries relatively quickly, but is certainly not as fast drying as some others! Expect to wait around for a while as your project finishes drying completely
- More pricey — Compared to other glues, this one tends to cost a bit more, at around $17.99 for 4 fl oz.
Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue Pen
Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue Pen is a handy little glue in a pen dispenser form with a dual applicator.
This pen has one side with a small applicator tip for precise glue lines, and another side that has a broad tip for larger areas. The glue itself has a strong bond, making it ideal for cardstock, photos, and more.
Pros:
- Acid-free and photo safe — This glue is entirely acid-free, meaning it’s safe for you and your photos!
- Will not leak or clog — The applicator for this glue is advertised as leak- and clog-free, so you won't have to worry about any glue escaping the tube or getting blocked up
- Dries clear — Like the others, this glue dries clear – making for a clean craft project.
Cons:
- Smaller tube — Again, this glue does come in a tube that’s a smaller size (50 ml), so if you need large amounts of glue this might not be the best pick for you
- Applicator size — Some reviewers have noted that the “small” end of the applicator tip was not fine enough for the projects that they were making. If you need extreme precision, it may be better to invest in glue with a finer application tip
- Can warp thin paper — There have been some reports that this glue can make thin papers warp or buckle. While it may be a good choice for cardstock, be careful when applying it to thinner paper.
Cosmic Shimmer Glue
Cosmic Shimmer Glue is a craft glue with a precision applicator tip that has very strong bonding properties and is suitable for all craft projects.
This water-based glue is to be used while tacky, and it’ll turn clear once it has dried completely. In particular, it excels when it comes to bonding glitter and embellishments to card and paper.
Pros:
- Dries clear — This glue is another one that dries completely clear, so you can rest assured that your project will have no glue marks
- Precision application — The bottle has a precision applicator that lets you navigate fine details
- High strength — The Cosmic Shimmer Glue is a particularly high-strength glue that’s specially formulated for bonding craft projects.
Cons:
- More complex to use — This glue requires you to let it partially dry and become tacky before using. For this reason, it isn’t the most child-friendly glue
- Prone to freezing — Be careful with this one in winter! This glue is prone to freezing when left in the cold, and some customers have reported that it even froze in transit while being shipped in the wintertime.
Elmer’s Best
Elmer’s is an absolute classic go-to glue when it comes to projects of all types.
A household name, Elmer’s is affordable and reliable and can be purchased at most stores that sell glue.
This glue has all the hallmarks of a great and trustworthy glue — washable, non-toxic, and with no shortage of praise from the general public.
Pros:
- Washable — Like other glues on this list, Elmer’s glue is washable and won’t leave any residue on your skin
- Accessible — This glue can be found just about anywhere, whether it's online or in-store
- Affordable — Elmer’s won’t cost you an arm and a leg, and has great value when it comes to cost per amount. This is great for large projects.
Cons:
- No precision applicator — While there is a tapered applicator on the standard Elmer’s glue bottle, it’s by no means precise. If you have your heart set on Elmer’s glue, have a browse of their other packaging options to find an applicator best suited to your project
- Not specialized for papercraft — While Elmer’s does have specialized paper glue, the glue that you will find in most stores is likely to just be standard multi-purpose glue. If you do decide to buy Elmer’s paper glue online, some reviews claim it’s not as well-suited to paper projects as other specialized paper glues – so keep this in mind before purchasing!
FAQs about Papercraft Glue
What is the Best Glue for Paper Cardstock?
Short answer: Aleene’s Tacky Glue. Hands down, it’s the absolute best glue for paper cardstock!
This glue has everything that you want to see in a craft glue — precise applicator, fast-drying, non-toxic, washable, and affordable. Aleene’s Tacky Glue is beloved by the crafting community, and for good reason.
With this glue, you can navigate around difficult areas of your project with the fine-tip applicator and have your project dry up in an instant.
Whether you’re a crafting newbie or a complete pro, we recommend this glue for your next project!
What Are the Different Types of Glue for Paper?
- Glue Sticks — Glue sticks are twisted or push-up tubes that hold glue in a solid form, and can be applied by rubbing the glue across your desired surface
- Glue Pens — A glue pen is exactly what it sounds like: a pen that contains glue instead of ink. These pens are great for getting a precise glue application for detailed projects
- PVA, White Glue, Liquid Glue — These glues are a widely available adhesive that comes in a liquid form. They’re used most often for basic projects that require a large amount of glue
- Tacky PVA Glue — This is simply a thicker version of a standard PVA glue. You’ll use this for projects that would typically use PVA glue but require a stronger bond
- Solvent Glue — Solvent glue is an adhesive that’s more resistant to UV exposure, high temperatures, and other environmental impacts. This makes it the best choice for outdoor projects
- Industrial Adhesive — Industrial adhesives include various types, such as acrylic, epoxy, hot melt, silicone, and many others. These are most commonly used in professional and industrial projects
- Contact and Rubber Cement — Contact adhesives and rubber cement are rubber-based adhesives that are made from either natural or synthetic rubbers. Unlike many other adhesives, this type of adhesive has a permanent bond and cannot be removed once applied
- Specialized Pastes — As the name suggests, these are specialized adhesives that are used when a powerful, durable bond is needed. They can be used for a variety of complex projects, both indoor and outdoor
- Hot Glue/EVA — Hot melt adhesives, such as hot glue or EVA, are glues that are heated before application. These provide an extremely strong bond and are often applied using a gun applicator
- Mod Podge — Mod Podge is a crafting staple used to seal art and crafts projects, making them extremely durable and giving them a clean finish. Its texture and manufacturing are similar to that of acrylic paint, except Mod Podge is a colorless sealant
- Dry Adhesive Tape Runners — These are a great alternative to glue for your paper-based craft projects. They’re generally used for more lightweight projects that don’t require a particularly strong bond and can’t afford much drying time!
- Glue Dots and Foam Tape — Another alternative to liquid glue, glue dots are small dots containing adhesive. You simply press down on the back of the dot to apply the glue to your project. Similarly, foam tape is a tape adhesive that can be pressed onto your project for a more three-dimensional look!
- Archival — This adhesive is one that’s specially formulated for preserving materials. It adheres to most surfaces, dries semi-clear, and will not become brittle with time.
Try Our Papercraft Kits!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore our incredible collection of papercraft kits!
Check out our best-selling kits and unlock a world of creativity at your fingertips.
Whether you're a seasoned papercraft enthusiast or a beginner looking for a new hobby, our kits are designed to inspire and delight. Take the plunge and discover the joy of papercraft today!
