When Kathy posted the fantastic cardinal stamp for download, one of the commentors asked about how to best glue it to their mail. This was an excellent question and one I get a lot since I post pictures of my collaged mail art on Instagram. So, instead of typing a lengthy reply to the comment which you all might not get to see, I decided to do a post. Viola!
From left to right, that is glue tape, a glue stick, and a glue pen. I use the glue tape 85% of the time, the glue stick 13% of the time and the glue pen 2% of the time. I get my glue tape and glue sticks from the regular old office supply store. The glue pen came from that wonderland known as Jet Pens.
If I have to pick just one, it's the glue tape. It works like a white-out runner and is sticky on both sides. It works like double-stick tape, but is thinner and easier to apply. It isn't liquidy; so it doesn't smear ink or buckle paper. I can do nearly anything with the glue tape. It is my go-to for constructing envelopes. It has a strong bond almost instantly. If I'm ever gluing down anything thick like cardboard or cardstock, I'm using the glue tape. You can find them in refillable and repositionable form as well.
I use the glue stick instead of glue tape for anything that's really fragile, such as vintage paper. The glue tape is so strong that it can rip up more delicate pieces. I'll also use the glue stick for uneven edges. The tape isn't so easily worked around a bunch of noodley-bits. The glue pen I only use if I have to affix something that is so weirdly shaped and so delicate to handle that I need minute control over where the glue is going. I like having it as part of my tool kit, but rarely use it.
I hope that answers everyone's sticky questions regarding glue and mail art! Thanks for reading and for asking. I'm always happy to share. Oh, and if you have favorite glues or glue techniques, please share in the comments.
P.S. I get asked a lot about perforating stamps too. Here's a link to the post I did on making your own perforations.
Thank you, I was wondering what you use as well.
Posted by: Julie | July 14, 2014 at 09:16 AM
ooh! Thanks for this. I'm definitely a glue stick kind of lady but I think I need to buy glue tape for making envelopes!
Posted by: Tara | July 14, 2014 at 09:42 AM
Thank you!
I'm using a glue stick morst of the time, but I think I will try out the glue tape for making envelopes. It somehow seems easier to me than with a glue stick.
Posted by: Jasmin | July 14, 2014 at 10:45 AM
Really good info--thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Cindy R. | July 14, 2014 at 10:50 AM
I use A4 sheets of label paper and then cut out with decorative edged scissors. Instant stickers!
Posted by: Blueskiesfade | July 14, 2014 at 12:32 PM
If I'm printing faux stamps, I often use sticker paper to print them on. If you're in the UK, The Works sells it in packets quite cheaply.
Posted by: Eunice | July 15, 2014 at 05:36 AM
Have you ever used Tombow's version of the adhesive runner? I haven't had much luck with it and wonder if the glue tape is a step-up. Thanks for the post!
Posted by: Melissa | July 21, 2014 at 10:19 PM
Hi Melissa,
I havent used the Tombow one, no. On the whole, I find refillable machines to be less reliable.
Posted by: Donovan Beeson | July 24, 2014 at 11:04 AM