Best of Crafting Step by Step

Best Glue for Paper Crafts

The right glue keeps paper flat, dries clear and holds what you add on top. These are the glues we would put in a friend's first paper craft box, each for a different job.

Sample picks while Kimberly finishes her hands-on testing. The final list may change.

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How we review

How we picked

  1. Dries clear
  2. Keeps paper flat, with little warping
  3. Easy to control where it goes
  4. Holds the materials in our tutorials
  5. Easy to find in stores and online

Read our full review process

  1. Illustration only

    Fine detailsBest for: Fine details

    1. Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue

    Why it's here: A fine metal tip puts down a thin line of glue, which suits small die cuts and delicate paper pieces.

    • Fine metal tip
    • Dries clear
    • Made for paper crafts

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  2. Illustration only

    Two tips in oneBest for: Everyday gluing

    2. Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue

    Why it's here: One end spreads glue over larger pieces and the other dots it onto small ones, so one bottle covers most card making jobs.

    • Wide tip and fine tip
    • Dries clear
    • Refillable

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  3. Illustration only

    No drying timeBest for: Comfortable grip

    3. Tombow MONO Permanent Adhesive Tape Runner

    Why it's here: A tape runner lays down dry adhesive, so you can layer card panels straight away with no wet glue and no wait.

    • Dry adhesive, no mess
    • Refillable
    • Easy grip

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  4. Illustration only

    For kids and classroomsBest for: Kids and classrooms

    4. Elmer's Disappearing Purple Glue Stick

    Why it's here: It goes on purple so you can see where you have glued, then dries clear, and it washes out of clothes.

    • Goes on purple, dries clear
    • Washable
    • Easy to find

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  5. Illustration only

    Heavier add-onsBest for: Heavy embellishments

    5. Aleene's Original Tacky Glue

    Why it's here: It is a thick glue that grabs quickly, which helps when you add buttons, ribbon or chipboard to a card or page.

    • Thick, quick grab
    • Dries clear
    • Works on paper, fabric and wood

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Quick compare

Sample picks. Details may change after hands-on testing.

  • Fine details

    Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue

    Type
    Liquid
    Applicator
    Fine metal tip
    Price
    Check current price
    See #1 details
  • Everyday gluing

    Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue

    Type
    Liquid
    Applicator
    Two tips
    Price
    Check current price
    See #2 details
  • Comfortable grip

    Tombow MONO Permanent Adhesive Tape Runner

    Type
    Tape runner
    Applicator
    Roller tip
    Price
    Check current price
    See #3 details
  • Kids and classrooms

    Elmer's Disappearing Purple Glue Stick

    Type
    Glue stick
    Applicator
    Twist-up stick
    Price
    Check current price
    See #4 details
  • Heavy embellishments

    Aleene's Original Tacky Glue

    Type
    Thick liquid
    Applicator
    Squeeze bottle
    Price
    Check current price
    See #5 details

Swipe sideways to see all 5.

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