Alexandra Ramirez
A great craft glue is an essential tool to have for virtually any type of craft project. As any avid-crafter knows, the right glue can make all of the difference in how any project turns out.
We took this review seriously and took a detailed look at a number of different craft glues out there. Through our extensive research we found that the E600 Craft Adhesive is the best overall product out there if you want a reliable, long-lasting glue for all of your crafts.
1. E6000
Best Overall Craft Glue
5/5 Product Rating
The E6000 Craft Adhesive won our top choice for best overall craft glue. This versatile adhesive not only has an impressive amount of industrial-strength sticking power. Another great feature of this adhesive is that its durable sticking power is immune to water and high temperatures—meaning no matter what you throw at this adhesive, it is designed to stick. No matter what.
This adhesive dries clear, and is completely waterproof once dry. It is even photograph safe. This adhesive does take a little more time to dry than other craft glues. However, this does permit you to make some adjustments during crafts. This craft glue comes in an easy-to-administer bottle that makes applying the glue easy and mess-free. It also makes it easy to apply the glue in small or difficult-to-reach areas. It works on a variety of materials including wood, plastic, concrete, fiberglass, metal and ceramics—it even works on rubber, vinyl and leather.
– Sarah Lytle
2. Elmer’s
Best Spray Craft Glue
4.7/5 Product Rating
There are many crafters who prefer to use spray adhesives for their craft projects, as they find it is easier to apply and has less of a mess. This Elmer’s multi-purpose spray adhesive is great for a number of different types of projects and won’t bleed through. This spray glue is also safe for use with photos, making it a great option for those who want to use this product for their scrap books.
While this particular product also comes in an extra-strength formula, the multi-purpose spray mounting adhesive is extremely strong and durable. It also dries fast and dries clear—making it a versatile addition to the home, whether you are doing creative crafts, or repairing items around the home.
– Sarah Lytle
3. CCbetter
Best Hot Glue Craft Adhesive
4.6/5 Product Rating
Hot glue guns have always been a popular option for crafters. This type of adhesive is known for its sticking-power and for its precision. Our top pick in this category is the CCbetter Mini Hot Melt Glue Gun, because it is reliable and sturdy. It is also an eco-friendly adhesive, meaning it is one you can feel good about using around the home.
This mini hot glue gun utilizes a clear-drying adhesive that works on plastic, ceramics, fabrics, wood, metal and glass among other materials. This makes this adhesive popular not only for crafts, but for home repair projects as well. If you prefer using hot glue, you will enjoy this fast-drying, clear adhesive and the compact hot glue gun it comes in.
– Sarah Lytle
Craft Glue Product Buying Guide
Looking for a new craft glue? There is a lot that can separate one craft glue product from the next, which is why we have taken the time to detail all of the little differences that can separate one glue from the next. The most important thing to remember when shopping for craft glue is that there are so many types of adhesives that fall into the category of craft glue and not all of these glues work the same, dry the same, or are supposed to be used on the same types of projects.
The Main Types of Craft Glue
When you start looking for new craft glues, you will notice there are so many different types of adhesives out there. These are the main types of glues you will find when shopping for craft adhesives:
- Epoxy
- Expansive Glue
- Fabric Glue
- Hot Glue
- PVA/Craft Glue
- Rubber Cement
- Silicone Adhesive
- Spray Adhesive
- Super Glue
- Wood Glue
There are benefits and drawbacks of each of these types of adhesives, no matter what type of project you plan on using them for.
Buying the Right Glue for the Right Materials
When shopping for any type of craft adhesive, you need to start by thinking about what you will be using your craft glue on. There are different types of adhesives that work best with different types of materials and understanding the difference between these different types of glue.
Buying Craft Glue for Paper
If you are buying craft glue for paper, you want something that is thin and quick-drying. Typically, glue sticks are the most popular type of glue for paper projects. This is because glue sticks are less likely to make the paper buckle or break when applied. Glue sticks are also great because they come with very little mess. Paper crafts are some of the few projects that work with paper. Other craft glue options for paper projects include:
- Tacky glue
- PVA glue
- Spray glue
- Glue dots
Buying Craft Glue for Plastic
There are not many types of craft glues that will work with plastic—so finding the right adhesive that works on plastic can be a challenge. Since plastic isn’t very porous, it is difficult to find glues that will work, especially if you are planning on attaching two different pieces of plastic. However, the types of glue that do tend to work on plastics are:
- Hot glue
- PVA glue
- Epoxy
- Rubber cement
- Acrylic adhesives
- Super glue
- Expansive glue
Buying Craft Glue for Metal Crafts
Metal can be a very sensitive material for adhesives. Metal often has dirt, debris and oils on it, which can make it difficult for adhesives to stick to the surface. This is why you not only need to clean the metal first, but use the right adhesive for the project.
These are the glues that work best for metal projects:
- Epoxy
- Superglue
- Silicone adhesives
- Expansive glue
Buying Craft Glue for Styrofoam
It is important to find an adhesive for Styrofoam that not only provides enough adhesive power, but that won’t corrode or dissolve the delicate surface of Styrofoam. Hot glue guns typically won’t work well on Styrofoam, because the heat can damage this delicate surface. Glues that do work on Styrofoam include:
- PVA glue
- Spray adhesive
- Rubber cement
Buying Craft Glue for Fabric
Buying craft glue that works with fabric requires a very specific type of adhesive. It is important to find an adhesive that is sturdy enough to hold different fabrics together, but one that is light enough to not bleed through the fabric. Adhesives that are waterproof are also important if you are planning on putting your fabric project in the washing machine. There are a number of different adhesives that are marked specifically as fabric glue, there are other types of adhesives that work on fabric including:
- Hot glue
- Rubber cement
- Mod podge
- PVA adhesives
Buying Craft Glue for Wood Crafts
The best craft glue for wood crafts are those that are sturdy and designed to last. In general, adhesives that work with glue will need some extra time to set. There are some adhesives that are specifically marked as wood glue. Other craft glues that work with wood include:
- PVA glue
- Epoxy
- Rubber cement
- Superglue
Buying Craft Glue for Glass
Buying craft glue for glass projects can be a challenge, because this glue needs to be able to hold a great deal of weight. It should also be clear. Glass is smooth and isn’t very porous, which makes it difficult to get any glue to stick to glass. If you are planning on putting your glass in the dishwasher, you will also want to make sure you have a waterproof adhesive.
- Superglue
- E6000
- Clear epoxy
Looking at How the Glue is Administered
The actual glue formula used in any craft adhesives is important, but so is the packaging that the craft glue comes in. If you are working on projects with small parts, tubes or glue guns are typically best. Spray adhesives are popular for craft projects, especially with lightweight materials, but they can’t be applied to small areas. Paint on formulas have similar challenges, but also have benefits when working with lighter-weight materials. You simply need to think about the precision your crafting projects are going to require before determining which type of glue application is best.
Conclusion
The right craft glue can be a really important tool for your home projects and all of your crafting needs. However, there are so many different types of craft glues out there, which is why finding the right adhesive for the job can sometimes be a challenge. Make sure that you look at some of our top picks for best craft adhesives as well as our detailed buying guide that will help you differentiate one type of product from the next so you can find the glue that works for you.
