Best Transparent Glues for Perfect Paper Crafts

What glue is best for papercraft? This might sound like a silly question to some, but it’s actually a common inquiry among many papercrafters.

How to Choose the Right Glue

The best type of glue for papercraft is a normal clear transparent glue. This type of glue doesn’t leave any color residue on your paper, so it won’t smudge the printed colors on your papercrafts.

I once used white glue, and when I applied too much, it left a white residue around the edges of my paper. Just a tip: avoid colored glue!

Does it need to be a super strong glue? No, it doesn’t. The main goal is just to hold the paper together. It doesn’t have to be super strong or extra strong.

In fact, using something that’s too strong can backfire if you make a mistake while assembling your papercraft and need to reassemble it. Normal glue can usually be detached if needed, but super strong glue might tear your paper.

What about cardstock paper?

The above advice is valid if you’re using normal paper under 200 gsm. But if you’re working with cardstock, which is above 200 gsm, you’ll want to use an extra strong glue.

For instance, when making an anime papercraft, paper around 180-200 gsm works well with a basic glue stick. However, if you’re building a diorama or a structure like the Howl’s Moving Castle papercraft, you’ll likely need a sturdier cardstock, which will require a stronger glue.

Best Way to Glue Paper to Paper

Since we’re working on paper models, it’s important to know the right way to apply glue. Using too much glue can run the ink on your papercraft, and it can also make the paper wrinkled, gooey, and squishy.

The best practice for gluing paper to paper is to apply just a thin coat of glue along the seams of the papercraft. This is especially crucial when using thin paper, as it can become squishy very quickly if you apply too much glue.

I’m using thin paper; what is the best glue for it?

Thin paper is actually the easiest to glue because you don’t need an expensive adhesive. Any cheap glue you can find for under a dollar will work well for this type of paper. You know, the kind of glue you’d see in kindergarten or elementary school? That’ll do the job just fine!

What Kind of Glue to Use on Glossy Paper

You can’t use your average stick glue on glossy paper because it won’t stick well due to the slippery surface. Instead, you’ll need an extra strong glue for it.

For example, Gorilla Super Glue, which you can find on Amazon, works well for this type of paper.

Can You Use Super Glue on Paper?

According to the Gorilla Super Glue listing on Amazon, it can be used on paper, and in fact, I use Super Glue on my paper models all the time. It’s transparent, super strong, and gets the job done. I’m more than happy to use Super Glue on my papercrafts.

Is It Okay to Use Scotch Tape on My Paper Crafts?

Some people use scotch tape to stick their paper crafts, but I prefer not to use it on the outer sides of my projects. If I do use it, I keep it on the inside where it’s hidden.

I hope this article answers your questions.