Adhesive

Choosing an adhesive to use with your clear album can be tricky business. There are 2 main considerations: one is that the adhesive, if it does not dry perfectly clear and evenly, will be visible from the other side of your clear album page. The other is that some adhesives may not stick to the clear albums, or may lose their grip over time.

Dry adhesives like double-stick tape typically work well, but can usually be seen from the back. Use them if you plan to cover the other side of the page with something so they can not be seen.

By far, the best adhesive discovery I have made is Zip Dry Paper Glue. Don't let the name fool you! It isn't just for paper, although this adhesive is truly amazing on both paper and acrylic. There are so many wonderful things about this adhesive: it doesn't wrinkle paper. It dries clear. If applied and spread carefully and evenly, you can even use it on any area of your acrylic album that will be seen from the back. I haven't finished testing all possible adhesives, but so far Zip Dry is my first choice.

Helmar makes some adhesives that are compatible with clear albums too.

Glue Dots are a truly fantastic adhesive for use with clear albums also. Glue dots are really easy to use. Some of them can be seen from the back, although they are usually not very noticeable. The transparent ones shown on this page are better than most for this purpose.

Spray adhesives work well with clear albums; So does Diamond Glaze, although Diamond Glaze is not scratch-proof. I also like working with Mod Podge, because it comes in a variety of different finishes (I like the glossy!) and can be used as a sealer as well as adhesive. Mod Podge claims to be "for all surfaces".

You will want to make sure that you apply smooth, even coats of your chosen adhesive. You will also want to wash your hands frequently during this process so that you do not get fingerprints all over your clear album, especially when the adhesive gets on your fingers.

Here are some adhesives that can be used with clear albums. Some of them work better than others depending on the album and what it is made of. It is good to experiment and test small areas first.

Krylon Easy-Tack Repositionable Spray Adhesive

$13.21

Easy-Tack adhesive provides a transparent, repositionable bond on most lightweight materials. It can be adjusted, removed, and reapplied and provides long-lasting tack with no residue, wrinkles, or curling. Easy-Tack is also low-odor and non-staining. It is acid free and archival safe for photos, scrapbooks, crafters foam, paper, fabric, trims, costumes, découpage, and layouts. The spray can has a 2" wide spray pattern. This spray is fully compliant with VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) regulations in all states. [Read more]

Store: Dick Blick Art Materials

Blair Maximum Strength Spray Adhesive

$7.95

Blair's Maximum Strength Spray Adhesive offers immediate tack for faster assembly. It dries clear and resists water, humidity, and heat. Each can provides approximately 90 square feet (9 square meters) of coverage for everything from metal foil to foam. This adhesive won't bleed through, wrinkle, or curl paper. 11 oz (312 g) net weight. [Read more]

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3M Spray Mount Artist's Adhesive

$14.89

3M Spray Mount bonds practically any lightweight material instantly, yet allows work to be lifted and repositioned. This spray adhesive requires only one surface application. Bonds do not yellow, nor do they become brittle or flaky. [Read more]

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3M Photo Mount Spray Adhesive

$6.13

A strong, clear, non-staining professional-grade adhesive for mounting all black-and-white and color photographs. Apply Scotch Photo Mount to one or both surfaces. The bond is immediate, very strong, and permanent. 4.2 oz (119 g) 10.3 oz (292 g) net weight. [Read more]

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3M Spray Mount Artist's Adhesive

$6.57

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3M Photo Mount Spray Adhesive

$15.19

Store: Dick Blick Art Materials

Glue Dots Vellum Transparent 3x4 10 pc Sheet

$3.89

Glue Dots are a double-sided, pressure-sensitive adhesive that is faster and safer than using hot glue guns, faster than foam tape products, and easier than dispenser-type adhesives. Bonds instantly, child safe, non-toxic, acid-free and no dispenser required. Great for hobbies, home, school, and office projects. Vellum Transparent 3x4 Sheet 10pc- The truly transparent dot for vellum, transparencies, skeleton leaves, glass and acrylic embellishments. Includes 10-3"x 4" sheets. [Read more]

Store: CreateForLess

Judikins Diamond Glaze Refill 18 oz

$16.74

Judikins Diamond Glaze is a dimensional adhesive that dries to a clear glass-like finish. It securely holds embossed window plastic, glass, beads, glitter, Vellum and many other mediums. It can be used directly over artwork for a raised finish or thinned with water for a lacquer-like finish. Unlike other clear adhesive it is mixable with dye-base inks, watercolors and pearlescent pigments to create custom colors. Refill 18 oz [Read more]

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Plaid Mod Podge

$10.25

Five, 2 oz bottles (one each of Sparkle, Paper Matte, Original Gloss, Original Matte, and Outdoor Mod Podge). [Read more]

Store: Dick Blick Art Materials

Plaid Mod Podge Gloss 16 oz

$6.39

Mod Podge is the original all-in-one sealer, glue and finish. Perfect for wood, paper, fabric and other porous surfaces, such as terra cotta, plastic foam, and candles, it's quick and easy to use. As a glue, it dries clear and holds tight. Non-toxic with a soap and water clean up makes it great for kids. As a sealer it protects acrylic paints, stains, decoupage and fabric. Leaves a soft finish. No crafter should be without it. Gloss 16 oz- Leaves a high gloss finish. [Read more]

Store: CreateForLess

Plaid Mod Podge Gloss 32 oz

$12.49

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Plaid Mod Podge Gloss 4 oz

$3.99

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Plaid Mod Podge Gloss 8 oz

$4.19

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Plaid Mod Podge Gloss Gallon

$30.99

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Plaid Mod Podge Hard Coat 8 oz

$6.09

Mod Podge is the original all-in-one sealer, glue and finish. Perfect for wood, paper, fabric and other porous surfaces, such as terra cotta, plastic foam, and candles, it's quick and easy to use. As a glue, it dries clear and holds tight. Non-toxic with a soap and water clean up makes it great for kids. As a sealer it protects acrylic paints, stains, decoupage and fabric. Leaves a soft finish. No crafter should be without it. Hard Coat 8 oz- Mod Podge is quick-drying for multiple coat build up. Can be sanded to a smooth finish. [Read more]

Store: CreateForLess

Plaid Mod Podge Matte 16 oz

$6.39

Mod Podge is the original all-in-one sealer, glue and finish. Perfect for wood, paper, fabric and other porous surfaces, such as terra cotta, plastic foam, and candles, it's quick and easy to use. As a glue, it dries clear and holds tight. Non-toxic with a soap and water clean up makes it great for kids. As a sealer it protects acrylic paints, stains, decoupage and fabric. Leaves a soft finish. No crafter should be without it. Matte 16 oz- Leaves a soft matte finish. [Read more]

Store: CreateForLess

Plaid Mod Podge Matte 32 oz

$12.49

Mod Podge is the original all-in-one sealer, glue and finish. Perfect for wood, paper, fabric and other porous surfaces, such as terra cotta, plastic foam, and candles, it's quick and easy to use. As a glue, it dries clear and holds tight. Non-toxic with a soap and water clean up makes it great for kids. As a sealer it protects acrylic paints, stains, decoupage and fabric. Leaves a soft finish. No crafter should be without it. Matte 32 oz- Leaves a soft matte finish. [Read more]

Store: CreateForLess

Plaid Mod Podge Matte 4 oz

$3.99

Mod Podge is the original all-in-one sealer, glue and finish. Perfect for wood, paper, fabric and other porous surfaces, such as terra cotta, plastic foam, and candles, it's quick and easy to use. As a glue, it dries clear and holds tight. Non-toxic with a soap and water clean up makes it great for kids. As a sealer it protects acrylic paints, stains, decoupage and fabric. Leaves a soft finish. No crafter should be without it. Matte 4 oz- Leaves a soft matte finish. [Read more]

Store: CreateForLess

Plaid Mod Podge Matte 8 oz

$4.19

Mod Podge is the original all-in-one sealer, glue and finish. Perfect for wood, paper, fabric and other porous surfaces, such as terra cotta, plastic foam, and candles, it's quick and easy to use. As a glue, it dries clear and holds tight. Non-toxic with a soap and water clean up makes it great for kids. As a sealer it protects acrylic paints, stains, decoupage and fabric. Leaves a soft finish. No crafter should be without it. Matte 8 oz- Leaves a soft matte finish. [Read more]

Store: CreateForLess

Xyron 250 Create-a-Sticker

$22.99

The Xyron 250 applies clean, acid-free adhesive to any flat item, up to 2½" wide. The 250 comes loaded with one 20 ft permanent adhesive cartridge. Refill adhesive cartridges are available with either permanent or repositionable adhesive. [Read more]

Store: Dick Blick Art Materials

Xyron 250 Create-a-Sticker

$9.99

Store: Dick Blick Art Materials

Xyron 500 Create-a-Sticker Cartridge

$13.99

Make a sticker out of almost anything up to 5" (13cm) wide. No goo, no mess, no odor. Use this cartridge in your Xyron 500 machine to create stickers that are acid free and permanent. Great for scrapbooking, photos, card making, labels, fabrics, appliques. [Read more]

Store: Dick Blick Art Materials

Helmar V2 Vellum Adhesive 5.82 oz

$11.74

Helmar V2 Vellum Adhesive is an acid free, non-yellowing spray that is perfect for working with Vellum papers! This spray adhesive dries clear, is repositionable and has absolutely no smell! This spray is the ideal alternative to tapes and other glues that are always seen in some way through Vellum paper. V2 will hold your Vellum, embossed Vellum, ribbons, acetate, papers, and textured cardstock. It's easy to improve the look of your project with just a little V2 spray adhesive because it won't show through! See package for complete instructions. 5.82 oz [Read more]

Store: CreateForLess

Adhesive

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