12 Different Types of Craft Glue

No matter what kind of crafter you are, craft glue and adhesives are essential additions to your craft kit. From all-purpose glue that can be used for everything to permanent spray adhesive for fabric, there’s a glue for every kind of craft out there. 

Let’s get stuck into the different types of craft glue and their uses so you can make sure your kit is ready for anything.

What glue is best for craft?

That’s like asking which gardening tool can be used to garden with. Each type of adhesive and glue has a different use depending on the craft or project you’re working on. Some glues are all-purpose, meaning they are versatile and can be used on many different materials but some others have more specific uses. In this guide, we’ll be going through the various types of glue that are suitable for papercraft and sewing so you’ll have all the information you need to find the perfect glue for your project.

Glues

1. Collall All Purpose Glue

All-purpose glue is essential for any craft kit thanks to the wide range of different uses it offers. Use Collall All Purpose Glue with  paper, card, fabric, felt, glass, stone, ceramics, leather, and plastic – the applications are almost endless! Each 100ml bottle includes an easy-to-use applicator tip to avoid spills and any other sticky situations. And the glue itself is moisture, heat, and cold-resistant so won’t come off or become brittle over time. Not only that but it’s acid-free (perfect for printed images and photographs) and it won’t wrinkle your projects!

2. Collall 3D Glue Gel

3D Gel is the perfect way to add dimension to your projects. Use Collall 3D Glue Gel in your cardmaking, decoupage, and scrapbooking projects to add raised elements. The flexible filler adhesive dries crystal clear to give your makes a clean, professional finish. And, unlike many other 3D gels on the market, this glue gel is completely odourless making it much more pleasant to use. Use on paper, card, polystyrene, plastic, glass, ceramics, mirrors, wood, and various metals.

3. Collall Tacky Glue

For a fast, firm stick without any fuss, Collall Tacky Glue is the perfect option. This tacky glue has a precision tip for easy, mess-free applications and a super-quick drying time, so there’s no waiting around. You can continue to craft almost straight away! This unique glue dries clear and stays flexible after drying so you can avoid those annoying, hard clumps of glue on your projects. Use on a variety of materials such as card, wood, paper, ceramics, embellishments, and much more!

4. Collall Photoglue

For those who like to change their mind a lot, the Collall Photoglue is perfect for you. Acid-free so as not to damage your photographs and precious memories, this Photoglue is repositionable so you can create your layout exactly how you want it. If you stick something in the wrong place, simply peel it back off and rub the glue away with your finger before resticking the element in its correct spot (make sure you test it on an inconspicuous area first!). This glue is quick-drying acid-free, and doesn’t shrink making it ideal for scrapbooking, photo albums, and preserving treasured memories for future generations.

5. Hot Glue Gun & Hot Glue

For an even more versatile glue option, you might consider the Crafter’s Companion Hot Glue Gun. This is the perfect glue gun for crafting, DIY, upholstery and can be used on a range of materials such as wood, card, paper, fabric, ceramics, and much more. It features an ergonomic, easy-to use-design with a built-in stand to protect your surfaces. It heats up quickly and maintains its heat at around 190℃ (374℉)

All you need to do is push your glue stick through the back of the glue gun and into the nozzle to begin the melting and to start the flow. Then use the trigger to continue pushing the glue stick through the chamber to apply glue to your projects. It’s that easy! This glue gun can be used to bond numerous materials including paper, plastic, fabric, card, ceramics and much more, making it the perfect piece of equipment for your kit.

Spray adhesives

1. Stick and Spray Mounting Adhesive

The repositionable Stick and Spray Mounting Adhesive is great for matting and layering projects. It can also be used for mounting unmounted stamps onto a stamping block. When paired up with a Rock-a-Block, this spray allows you to re-position your stamps up to 30 times without reapplying.

2. Stick and Spray Adhesive for Fabric (orange can)

The orange-capped Stick and Spray Adhesive for Fabric is a permanent no-sew fusible adhesive designed to be used on fabric. It’s perfect for many fabric crafts including applique and quilting and makes fabric, wadding, paper, or any other non-woven stabiliser fusible. Simply spray onto your material and allow it to dry before using heat to bond it to your fabric by pressing with an iron. It forms a strong bond that is dry-cleanable, and washable at 40℃.

3. Stick and Spray Adhesive for Fabric (dark blue can)

Stick and Spray Adhesive for Fabric with the dark blue cap is a repositionable adhesive that temporarily bonds all fabrics. It can be used for machine applique, quilting, tacking, hemming and for holding fabric onto stabilisers for machine embroidery. It promises not to mark or spot your fabric or foundation material and it won’t gum up your sewing needles – hooray!

4. Stick and Spray Adhesive Remover

For mistakes and accidents with your spray adhesive, so need to fret, Stick and Spray Adhesive Remover is a powerful adhesive remover for a variety of surfaces including rubber, glass, plastic and, ceramics. Simply spray onto your surface and wipe it off with a cloth. It’s also amazing at removing labels, plasters, chewing gum, and tar, so it’s a great addition to your household cleaning supplies as well!

Tape

There are many types of tape to use during a crafting session, all with different uses and applications.

1. Double-Sided Tape

Red Liner Double Sided Tape boasts a strong and instant bond with whatever material you’re using. It’s perfect for adding intricate details to cards, scrapbook layouts, and other crafts without the mess of glue. Suitable for a wide variety of surfaces and materials and it can also withstand heat which means you can cover with embossing powder and heat to achieve a neat finish. Very easy to use and is specially recommended for use in making envelopes. This double-sided tape is almost invisible on most projects but still very easy to use. Each roll is 10 metres long and comes in a variety of widths to suit any project.

2. Extra Strong Glue Tape Pen

This glue pen is perfect for cardmaking, scrapbooking and many other papercraft projects, making it a must-have for any papercraft lover! The Crafter’s Companion Extra Strong Glue Tape Pen is perfect for a quick and mess-free bond, especially when adhering highly detailed intricate die cut pieces to card or paper. Simply roll out a strip onto your material wherever you need it. The handy pen can also go around corners so can be used on complicated shapes and with 22 metres (72 feet) in each dispenser, your crafting can go on and on and on and on.

3. Foam Pads

Ideal for decoupage work, foam pads help you layer up multiple materials to give a fantastic 3D effect. Use with embellishments and die cuts to create layered cards, scrapbook layouts, and more! Available in a range of sizes, simply peel off the protective layer and apply to your material, peel off the other side and line up your piece before sticking it down for a firm bond.

We hope this guide has helped you find a new favourite adhesive to use in your crafts. We have plenty of craft glue and adhesives suitable for any project so don’t forget to check out our full range for more options. And make sure you show us your makes by sharing your photos with us on Facebook UK, Facebook USA, Twitter, Instagram UK, Instagram US, Pinterest UK or Pinterest US using the hashtag #crafterscompanion.