Which Glue Should I Use? Adhesives & Fasteners for Junk Journals and Moving Pieces

💛 Introduction

If you spend any time in junk journaling or cardmaking groups, you see the same question over and over:

“What glue do you use?” …followed by fifty different answers.

Glue sticks, wet glue, tape runners, mini staplers, paper fasteners that make little moving arms — it can feel confusing to know what actually works on printed clipart, journal pages, and bulky ephemera.

This gentle guide walks through the best adhesives and fasteners for junk journals and moving pieces — what to use where, how to avoid warping, and simple ways to attach flaps, pockets, and interactive elements.

✨ Quick Overview

If you only remember one thing from this article, let it be this:

• Dry glue (glue sticks, tape, runners) is best for thin papers and clipart layers when you want to avoid warping.
• Wet glue is great for bulky pieces (fabric, lace, chipboard) but needs a thin layer and some drying time.
• Staples and paper fasteners are perfect for moving parts, flip-ups, and chunky bits that don’t want to stay put.

You don’t need a thousand products. A few well-chosen adhesives will cover almost everything in your junk journal or cardmaking world.

📎 Adhesive Basics: Dry vs Wet

Most adhesives you’ll meet fall into two cozy little families:

Dry Adhesives

• Glue sticks
• Double-sided tape
• Tape runners / ATG guns
• Glue dots

Pros: No warping, quick to use, low mess, pages stay flat.
Best for: Printable clipart, digital papers, photo mats, card panels, lightweight embellishments.

Wet Adhesives

• Liquid craft glue (white glue, tacky glue)
• PVA bookbinding glue
• Fabric / textile glue
• Specialty glues (metal, plastic, etc.)

Pros: Very strong, works on bulky materials and uneven surfaces.
Best for: Fabric, lace, chipboard, thick trims, dimensional pieces.

The trick is simply this: use dry glue where you want flat pages, and wet glue only where you truly need the extra strength.

🧴 Everyday Glues for Journals & Cards

Glue Sticks

Perfect for printable clipart, fussy cuts, and layering pieces on normal copy paper or lightweight cardstock.

• Look for acid-free, permanent glue sticks (school glue sticks are often fine).
• Swipe glue all the way to the edges of your piece to avoid curling corners.
• Press down with a clean scrap of paper on top to avoid getting glue on your fingers.

Double-Sided Tape & Tape Runners

These give a very strong, flat bond — amazing for card fronts, photo mats, and heavier panels.

• Use tape along all four edges of a panel and one strip through the middle for extra hold.
• Tape runners are faster; double-sided tape rolls are usually more budget-friendly.
• Great for laser-printed clipart and glossy card where wet glue can smear.

Glue Dots & Foam Tape

For a little dimension without liquid glue:

• Glue dots are tiny sticky circles — perfect for buttons, small flowers, sequins, or attaching charms.
• Foam tape / foam squares lift an element up for a 3D look on cards.

Liquid Craft Glue

Choose a thick, tacky glue that dries clear. Use it sparingly:

• Squeeze a little, then spread with a scrap of card so you have a thin, even layer.
• Ideal for lace, fabric, chipboard, metal charms, and bulky clusters.
• Avoid soaking thin copy paper — that’s when warping happens.

🔗 Staples, Paper Fasteners & Moving Parts

Sometimes glue isn’t enough — especially for moving elements like doors, arms, and spinning wheels.

Mini Staplers

Mini staplers (like the cute ones from dollar stores) are wonderful for:

• Attaching pockets and tuck spots quickly.
• Adding tabs to the edges of pages.
• Holding clusters of paper, lace, and fabric together before gluing the whole thing down.

Tip: If you don’t love the look of staples, cover them with a little label, washi strip, or sticker.

Paper Fasteners / Brads (for moving parts)

Paper fasteners are those tiny metal “brads” with legs that fold back. They are perfect for:

• Art dolls with moving arms or legs.
• Spinning wheels, pointers, or dials.
• Flip-up windows that pivot open.

How to Attach a Moving Piece with a Paper Fastener

1. Print and cut your clipart pieces (for example, a character’s arm and body).
2. Stack them where they should connect and use a hole punch or pokey tool to make a small hole through both layers.
3. Slide the paper fastener through the hole from the front.
4. Turn the page over and spread the legs of the fastener flat.
5. Test the movement — the piece should spin or swing easily.
6. If you want a smoother action, add a tiny circle of scrap paper behind as a “washer”.

📌 Which Adhesive to Use Where

Here’s a quick cheat sheet you can pin near your desk:

• Printable clipart pieces, fussy cuts, labels: glue stick or tape runner.
• Card fronts and large panels: double-sided tape or tape runner.
• Thin journal pages: glue stick or a very light layer of tape; avoid heavy wet glue.
• Pockets & envelopes: tape on the sides/bottom + optional tiny staple for extra strength.
• Fabric, lace, ribbon: liquid fabric glue or strong tacky glue.
• Buttons, charms, bulky clusters: glue dots, strong liquid glue, or a staple + decorative cover.
• Moving arms, doors, spinners: paper fasteners / brads.

🩹 Troubleshooting: Warping, Smudging & Peeling

“My pages are warping and buckling.”

• Use less wet glue — spread a thin layer instead of a puddle.
• Switch to glue sticks or tape for lightweight pieces.
• Place a clean sheet of paper on top and press under a book while it dries.

“My clipart is smudging.”

• Make sure the ink is completely dry before gluing.
• For inkjet prints, avoid dragging wet glue over the printed area; glue the back instead.
• Consider upgrading your paper choice for less bleed-through.

“Things keep peeling off.”

• Use a stronger adhesive (tape runner or double-sided tape instead of a weak glue stick).
• Burnish the piece down with a bone folder or the back of a spoon.
• For heavy items, combine glue + a staple or brad so the weight is supported.

🧺 Simple Adhesive Starter Kit

You truly don’t need a whole drawer of glues. A small basket with these will cover almost everything:

• 1x good glue stick (acid-free, permanent)
• 1x double-sided tape or tape runner for strong card panels
• 1x tacky liquid glue for fabric and bulky bits
• 1x mini stapler + staples
• 1x small pack of paper fasteners / brads for moving parts
• Optional: glue dots + foam squares for a little dimension

Pair this with a cozy pile of printable clipart from All Access, and you’re ready for cards, journals, tags, and interactive pages.

🎁 Free Clipart Sampler

If you would like to test high-resolution, clearly licensed clipart with your favourite glues and fasteners, a free sampler is available from WondersArtist.

Sign up below and the sampler will arrive gently in your inbox, ready for cards, stickers, journals, and moving pieces 💌

💎 All Access Membership

All Access Membership is a simple way to always have fresh, coordinated art to decorate all those beautifully glued layers.

• ✨ Unlimited access to clipart, digital papers, journaling pages, stickers, and cardmaking kits
• 🧺 New releases included while the membership is active
• ⚡ Instant downloads with cozy, business-friendly licensing
• 🔁 Perpetual rights for everything downloaded during your active time, even if you cancel later

💎👉 JOIN ALL ACCESS

🌷 Final Thoughts

Adhesives don’t have to be scary or complicated. With a few trusted glues, a mini stapler, and a little box of paper fasteners, you can attach almost anything — from delicate printable florals to chunky moving paper dolls.

Choose dry glue for flat pages, reach for wet glue when you truly need strength, and let staples and brads handle the moving parts. The rest is just play. ✨