Adhesive Essentials: Top Picks from Mixed Media Artists
Find out which adhesives make the cut for mixed media projects
When it comes to mixed media art, the right adhesive can make all the difference. Recently, I asked my Instagram followers to share their favorite adhesives and the responses have been quite informative. From glue sticks to gel mediums, here's what the creative community loves and why.
Many, like @quaifesuzy and @jenngcuth, swear by the UHU glue stick for its ease of use and versatility. For heavier items, @angela_rae_barribeau and @dawnajeanjohnson mentioned the Fabri-Tac glue, which is perfect for ensuring a secure bond.
The Liquitex Matte Medium is a crowd favorite, praised by @suejohnsonstudio, @gladysandmaude, and many others for its reliability and finish. This medium works wonders for both collage and fabric applications, offering a smooth, matte surface that enhances the look of your artwork.
For those intricate projects requiring precision, @playswithpaperandpigment shared a great hack for using Aleene's Tacky Glue with an Elmer's School Glue cap for better control. And if you're dealing with particularly delicate materials, @biancasbud recommends Nori Paste for its gentle yet effective adhesion.
The diversity in adhesives reflects the wide range of creative needs and preferences within our community. Whether you're looking for a quick fix or a strong, permanent bond, there's an adhesive out there that will suit your project perfectly. Let's dive into the specific adhesives and their unique benefits as shared by a host of talented creatives.
Have a favorite that’s not mentioned? Share it with me in the comments.
I recently asked my Instagram followers: What are your favorite adhesives?
The answers covered a wide range of selections. Here they are for easy review:
@quaifesuzy
My go to are UHU glue stick, Liquitex Matt gel medium, PVA Glue for heavier items! Sometimes double sided tape, faux vintage tape and masking tape and washi tape especially my own made!
@angela_rae_barribeau
I absolutely LOVE that Perfect Paper Adhesive. I think that's what it's called? Teeny, tiny, silver tip for applying but you have to stick a pin in the end of it because it's horrible if the tip clogs. I also LOVE the Fabric-Tac brand of glues! Wonderful stuff! Correction! Art Glitter Glue with the tiny tip!
@suejohnsonstudio
Favorite is Liquitex gloss medium.
@jenngcuth
Uhu glue stick and Golden gloss medium.
@dbminter
I’ve been meaning to try some Nova products. So far, my fave gel medium is Liquitex Matt gel in all its thicknesses. I do love everything Golden, but sometimes I have to go with something a bit more economical. For a fast and quick really good bond I use Beacon 3-in-1 or Fabri Tac.
@gladysandmaude
I often use Liquitex Matte Medium - when I have some but when I run out I use Uhu glue stick.
@tinaduclos.artist
Yes Paste has been my go to for years.
@sunmoongaldms
I don’t have one favorite. It depends on what I am doing. I do love Matte medium and gloss medium. I don’t always like a shiny finish so if I use gloss I may put matte as final layer.
@clarelaceygilliland
I like Yes paste for magazine paper.
@shaymichellestudios
Oh my, how do you choose a favorite adhesive??😂😍 I’ve been trying out one of your favorites, the glue stick, which I've used before, but I've really pushed it to work on all kinds of things and have been happy with what it can do. I do love Yes! Paste for paper even if it is obnoxiously sticky. My all around go to is probably Golden Gel Matte Medium, if I had to pick one (but who can do that?😉🤣)
@creativechaosstudio.returns
When I’m doing fast collage in my art journals I just use a gel medium. But when I’m doing something where I don’t want any wrinkles I use 3 in 1 adhesive. I use it for my vintage wallpaper or anything that will wrinkle.❤️❤️❤️
@wrenwild3
I like Liquitex matte medium for thin fabrics tacky glue for thick fabrics and glue stick for most papers and collage.❤️
@patsybuccy
UHu glue stick and Liquitex matte medium. I sometimes use Fabri Tac or beacons 3in1 depending on the teacher and the project.
@margaretrodgers2013
I now use the Pritt glue stick instead of UHu which I learned about here. I love the consistency of it and how smoothly it goes on, like butter!
@rufrat
I use Golden gel medium most of the time for a wet medium.
@ricki_ticki_tavy
Liquitex matte gel medium for collage; Bearly Arts glue for most everything else and Elmer's extra strength glue stick for glue stick situations. 😂
@pennylcorbin
I change my adhesive depending on the paper but Pritt or UHU glue stick, PVA, and I’ve started using gel medium (Liquitex). I find that deli paper and tea bags sink in better with liquid adhesive like matte med. I am going to try the Coccoina glue stick soon altho I’m thinking I should order the jar.
@raspberrybluesky
Liquitex matte medium for fabric and teabags and then a simple glue stick from Coccoina.
@buttonsreloved
Generally Pritt stick, clear or White PVA. Like others have said it is often dependent on what I'm doing/making.
@clothandpaperarts
Love fluid mediums, just don’t like the drying time.
@sarasundberlinart
My Favs are Aleene’s tacky glue fast grab. Quick dry and extra thick glue. It depends on what I have to glue. Also I sometimes use Pattex wood glue. I hate glue sticks 😂😂😂
@susisjournaladventure
I love art glitter glue for heavier papers, sticks immediately nearly without any drying time, and Liquitex matte gel medium.
@turnertype
I've tried Yes! It's a bit dry so you have to apply water to the consistency you want, but it dries beautifully and isn't "a show-off." Not shiny and quietly efficient.
@stephanieleemaker
I’m quite partial towards Liquitex soft gel matte, especially when I use a brush to apply it to the piece I want to glue down and then use a plastic scraper to burnish the collages piece really well onto the substrate (rather than just brushing more medium over the top of it). Golden’s version of soft gel matte is great too but Liquitex is usually a bit more affordable.
@earthn.art
I love methyl cellulose for wet strength tissue and other lightweight papers applied by hand. ✋🏼 I also use the heck out of Uhu glue sticks and Liquitex matte gel for heavier stuff.
@skiesludwig
UHU glue stick
@janaclinardharris
Clear UHU glue sticks, Mod Podge, and E6000!
@artkat22
If I want texture, I use clear gesso, or clear watercolor ground. If the piece is hard to hold in place I use a dab of glue stick first. Great question and responses!
@playswithpaperandpigment
Here's a hack: I've found Aleene's quick dry tacky glue to be great. I hate the tip however. My hack is to take the lid from Elmer's School liquid glue and replace the one that comes with Aleene's. The screw top tip makes it so easy to control the flow and close it tightly.
@bedsitdiary
Pritt Stick for paper collage, Liquitex matte gel medium for tissue & those little edges that curl up.
@sharonzimmerart
Depending on what I’m gluing: YES! paste, Liquitex matte medium, glue stick or Tombow in the pen or Tombow tape runner.
@melkistner
I also use Liquitex matte medium when doing collages. I have some 15-20 year old pieces that are still holding up!
@jackieshown2
I use Liquitex matte medium and also gel mediums. As well as Uhu glue sticks. However, I have been using double sided tape glue runners on some things like magazine cut outs, etc. that I really want to wrinkle. Also I finally learned to remember to set my piece with spray fixative before adding more liquidy things. 😉
@sarahthemoodler
I’m a Scotch glue stick girl as much as possible!!
@carla.persoondeen
Liquitex Matte medium and Tombow liquid glue for very small parts.
@biancasbud
My favorite adhesive is Nori Paste. It works well with tissue. It can take a little longer to dry but I’m in a warm climate most of the year. I will also use Liquitex gel medium for heavier things and sometimes glitter glue. I have glue sticks, but I’m not really a fan.
@elle_einad_70
I often use Collall bookbinders glue for my collages. It’s thick so I use some water to make it thinner. It works well for me. I also use several sticks like UHU and Pritt when I’m on the way. Love your work 🥰
@cksmooney
I like art glitter glue and good old mod podge! One reason I like it (among many) is that they sometimes carry it at 1$tree.
@expressyourartsysoul
I’m a Mod Podge girl.
@gill1040
My favorites are UHU, YES Paste (for heavy duty) and Liquitex Matte Gel Medium.
@revamadryga
Gel matte medium (and the heavy gel for the harder to glue things!)
@minibookpixie
Depends on what I'm doing. I love the ease of a UHU glue stick, but mat gel medium is my go-to for more heavy duty sticking.
@nancy_baumiller
Fabrifix (or 3 in 1)Tacky Glue and hot glue.
@cherylpressner
My favorite is Liquitex matte gel, but I’ve used anything and everything that sticks lol. Even wallpaper paste. I also love Yes paste for heavier things. Watered down Elmers even works in a pinch 😍
@dawnajeanjohnson
Colleen Attara had some Fabri-Tac sitting on an old weathered table outside her cottage studio a few years ago and since then it’s the adhesive that is always tucked in my messenger bag. I’ve taken it all over the world with me 😍 just so you know, if it oozes out of the bottle and dries into a rubbery, glass-like mass, don’t kid yourself into thinking you will ever be able to separate it from what it oozes onto. 😂
@corriespapertrail
I like the Montmarteart gel medium in the tube. It’s smooth and creamy. Yes a glue stick and this cheaper fabric glue for the heavy duty things. I’m still an art glitter glue fan if I have the patience to unblock the nozzle. 😁
@kellynwarren
I’d be lost without my UHU glue stick!
@roxanneevansstout
I use Liquitex matte matte medium too, and sometimes PVA or Tacky Glue for heavier fabric or paper. And I Love my trusty glue stick!!
@gabfab1
Great question! I would love to try the Nova medium 🤔 I use Liquitex or Golden almost exclusively for collage.
@creatively_serena.marie
Depends on the job. If I’m dry collaging, then a UHU glue stick will suffice. If I’m adhering anything translucent or super thin, I’ll usually use a matte medium like Golden’s because I love how it amplifies the translucentness. Everything else I use a soft gel medium and occasionally a regular gel medium if something is extra thick. I prefer matte ones or semi-gloss. These last two gel mediums are great for gel transfers too
@gabrielle_heckenbucker
I use a Pritt Stick and for very thin paper Winsor & Newton matte medium.
@rebeccalowrie.art
Depends on what I’m doing or what’s closest to hand 😂 I use Pritt Stick, 3-in-1 (a fave!), Fabri Tac, various gel mediums, PVA, Aileen’s Tacky Glue and recently started using Collage Pauge which I quite like. ❤️
@barbaravaldez5077
Art Glitter Glue and Pritt
@kimatpickingpoppies
I use Utrecht matte medium, Uhu glue stick and recently tried a small glue stick called Coccoina that I really liked but it isn't cheap. But some of my other favorites for different applications are Aleene's tacky glue which glued a wooden door to the front of a book and was dry in 10 min, and Crafter's Pick The Ultimate ...and oh, art glitter glue because it's very fine tip applicator for very small places I may have missed glue. Hmmm I think I have a lot of glues, haha, because then there is the PVA (Lineco) glue I use to adhere things to book board.
@marie.creatif
I typically use UHU glue sticks for lightweight papers and Giotto glue sticks or Art Glitter glue for heavier papers.
@theteacherstablecrafts
I LOVE Scott Create Glue stick, but I’m having trouble getting it lately. I also use Fabric-Tac. 😃
@bluebirdcottageI use glue sticks sometimes (either Pritt or UHU…. But lately the Pritt has become “goopy” and thick and the UHU glue stick is performing better. I also LOVE the Ad-tech permanent glue runner tape with paper and for adhering paper and card stock on handcrafted greeting and notecards ✨
@market.415
OG modge podge matte, Liquitex matte medium and the ever good Uhu stick. 😍
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