Stampin’Up! Offers a wide range of adhesives.

Here’s how to use them.

MUST-HAVE Adhesive Kit #1

These are my go-to adhesives. Bar none. I use them almost every single day. Here is what each one is good for and how I use them in my card-making.

  1. Stampin’ Seal: This is my number one, general, all-purpose adhesive. It is the way I stick my cards together. I never have to worry about humidity in the summer because my paper layers stay stuck! I also use it to attach tiny, lightweight embellishments, like wood. Fabric ribbon will also remain down if the fabric has no pile or texture.

  2. Tear & Tape: This double-stick tape is a great way to assemble boxes and other 3-D items. It has a strong and permanent bond to paper. Be sure to adhere the item where you want it because the tape won’t move once it is down. It’s nice because you can cut or “tear” it into your desired size. I also use it to stick down glass beads, sequins, or glitter.

  3. Glue Dots: These tiny magical flat dots are perfect for attaching metal embellishments to cards. Use them when you have a large ribbon or bow knot that needs to stick securely and stay in place. You can use Glue Dots for buttons, wood, metal (lightweight), and, of course, paper. If a ribbon has a texture or pile, like velvet or burlap, glue dots will adhere to textured fabric and paper. Glue Dots are also a good option for vellum. I have found it to be the least visible and most easily hidden option.

  4. Stampin’ Dimensionals: These are cutie patooties when making your images pop on your cards. Literally! They are perfect for adhering bows, wood, and die cuts. You can also stack them to get some dimension with your card elements.

  5. Fine-Tip Glue Pen: This is my favorite liquid glue. It has a precise, fine-tip applicator, and it is easy to get tiny dots right where you want the adhesive. Use this glue to attach metal embellishments. It dries clear, so you can add it on top of sequins to stabilize them so they won’t fall off. It will leave a little shine around the area where it is applied, but it’s usually not noticeable. You can use this feature to your advantage: drop a few drops on top of an image and spread it out with a brush (wash glue from the brush immediately). Then, you have a beautiful glossy image once the glue is dry. It dries quickly, but when attaching heavier items, set it aside for 10 minutes to dry thoroughly.

Sticky Time-Savers Kit #2

These products are time savers for specific projects. They often get overlooked because people don’t know what to do with them or how to use them. Let me help you and share why you need these in your adhesive stash.

  1. Adhesive Sheets: Okay, I will admit, I resisted using these sticky wonders for the longest time. {blush} I could not understand how they work and why they are so amazing. Let me clarify: If you die cut ANYTHING delicate, YOU NEED TO BE USING these Adhesive Sheets. You take the card stock you want to use, cut the sheet to size, peel it, and stick it on the back of your card stock. THEN, just cut your die shape out as normal. When you get ready to attach your die cut to your project, you will already have adhesive on the back of your die! It’s SO AMAZING! Especially for intricate lace designs, words, anything that a glue dot won’t fit on, or Stampin’ Seal might tear or leave a sticky residue. This stuff is GREAT! ***** 5 stars, 10 out of 10! Not. Even. Kidding. :)

  2. Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals: These are when you have a tiny little detail you want to use to add dimension to your project but don’t want the pesky white of the dimensionals to show through. Sure, you can cut down the regular Stampin’ Dimensionals, but this saves time and allows you to move through assembly quickly! Who can use more time? And no adhesive stuck on your scissors!

  3. Stampin’ Seal Plus and Stampin’ Seal Plus Refill: This adhesive is dry and lays down on your paper in little rectangles. It is stronger than the Stampin’ Seal and is suitable for lightweight 3-D projects. Great for when your project has several layers and is heavier than an average card. I added the Seal Plus Refill here because if you have one, you need one. At. All. Times. :)

  4. Foam Adhesive Strips: These are a must-have for creating Shaker Cards. You can easily butt them up end-to-end, so you have NO holes that your little shaker bobbles and sequins can’t escape. See my shaker card tutorial here.

Thoughtful Journey Card with delicate cut leaves, using the Adhesive Sheets.

Specialized-Stars Adhesives Kit #3

  1. Black Stampin’ Dimensionals Combo Pack: This convenient little pack of Dimensionals come in very handy when you are working with dark card stock and want to hide or at least minimize distraction from the construction of your card, and focus on the beauty of your card! And who doesn’t want to do that?! It comes with two sizes of Dimensionals, both 3/8” (1cm) and 1/4” (6.4mm).

  2. Foam Adhesive Sheets: This is another product I feel crafters are a little perplexed by…as to how to use it. It is similar to a  Stampin’ Dimensional, but it is a solid sheet and can be cut into any size or shape you like. It cuts easily with Scissors. And you can use an OPEN die to cut it out with the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. The die should be OPEN as opposed to intricate to cut smoothly. 

  3. Cling Adhesive: Cling adhesives are on sheets. They have 168 strips that are 3/4” x 1 3/4”. They were created to TRANSFORM your rubber clear-mount stamps (that stuck to the acrylic blocks by only using static electricity) to the new Cling Stamps. The clear-mount stamps tended to stick for short times and often popped off while cleaning the stamps. The Cling Stamps are LIFE-changing to a stamping crafter! If you have the older-style clear mounts, I highly suggest you get these ASAP! I would convert my collection over time as I pulled out and used the older stamps.

  4. Silicone Craft Sheet: This little 6”x6” wonder is the perfect surface for your hot glue gun. Firstly, it will protect your surface. Once it dries, any hot glue that falls onto it peels right off. You can use it to place a dollop of glue, then press in the petals of a flower to create a 3-dimensional embellishment. Secondly, it’s also great when using other liquid glues. Those glues, at least for me, sometimes get more on my surface (and hands) than my project. So again, it protects the surface you are working on and cleans up quickly when the glue dries. I have several!