Testing 10 kinds of Collage GLUE - no more paper peeling! 

I suspect in a year or 2 you will see the zig and the glue sticks letting go. Bearly has a great reputation with long time pro's and is next on my list to try. Aileen's is my go-to, tho I do get warping with it as I don't always work on surfaces that get pressed until dry. I've been using Art Glitter Glue a bit, as it's intended to glue nonporous things (like glitter) very permanently to paper. It has a great reputation, but I've had some releasing issues and it is a booger to spread before it dries. You are right that spreading a nice smooth coat all the way to every edge is key to best results, at least in my experience. Thanks for the test. Good to see the initial results.

Above and beyond excellent video. So helpful, so appreciated. Your artwork is captivating and exciting. Thank you for sharing your journey.

I have been making art for years and did not have any knowledge of the properties of glue. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Now I know it is all about the applications.

That's interesting.

just today, april 18th 2024 found your channel. I have been making every intricate torn and cut paper collages ( and other materials like dried leaves ) for a few decades. I do not use any of the glues that you have tried. I only use one glue and that is Modge Podge in Matte finish. I use a 1 inch brush to apply to the entire surface of the piece to be glued. ( of course smaller pieces use smaller brushes to apply the MP.) One single full thin coat all over the piece to be glued. DO not glop it on. Use care and take you r time with this step. Normally, I iwll put the pieces on some wax paper to apply the MP and go over the edges to make sure i get full coverage. You do not use a lot. Then I place the glued pieces onto the background, using a brayer or credit card type card to thoroughly press the piece on to the surface. Often i will cover the newest piece being glued with wax paper so i don't get random blobs of gunk or dirty finger prints THEN I take some more clean wax paper, lay it over the newly affixed piece, and use a 5 pound segmented Leg weight (or very heavy thick book) to weight it down while drying. Covering the entire surface and getting those edges are key, as is using the weights. I have yet to have any pieces curl or lift. I typically DO use varying amounts of coats of MP on the finished pieces as well and as it dries clear..Its almost foolproof. MP comes in other finishes like Glossy and High Shine, they cost MORE than Matte. I buy Matte Mp by the gallon from Amazon or Walmart SO much less expensive than at a Craft Store ! ( check those prices for MP before ordering or buying at a store.) Waxed paper is very useful in making this kind of art. I get mine at the Dollar Tree .99 Cent store or similar. Do not need to spend money for better quality ! NOTE: only waxed paper works for this..not parchment or other types Sometimes , the MP is a little bit tacky after drying. I use wadded up wax paper as burnishing/shining "tool" and it works really well to remove any tacky surfaces. Adds a nice overall slight shine to the finished pieces.

You crack me up. And your camera person was having too much fun.

One of my first jobs after college was working in a lab testing adhesives, and I feel like I'm back there. I was literally a professional doing a thing like this!

I love Art Glitter Glue and Bearly Arts, they’re my favourites and my go to. The price is worth it for me. I bought them to make cards but for collage it works amazing.

Yes i was hoping that you will monitor the glue test with results marked on the back

I like using watered down Elmer's Glue for colorfast and non-vintage papers. I use a brush and brush over my papers as well - wet on wet. For non-colorfast and vintage papers I use Elmers glue stick and a brayer to make sure I have good contact. These aren't perfect, but neither is my art. :-)

To unwarp the paper, wet the back of the paper and let it dry under a book or something flat.

Thank you Mrs. Science. I would love an opinion on Reptile glue. So many RU-vidrs rave about Art Glitter glue…I found that the tip is nearly impossible to keep clear, which hasn’t been the case with Reptile. But few to no endorsements from paper crafters. Wonder why. Also, Fabri-tac and variations by Beacon have no water and thus no warpage at all. I think it is acetone based instead. But would love your analysis.

Was the paper all the same color? It looks like there is some discoloring happening (timestamp 15:20 - the Elmer's Clear compared to the white and tacky). The lower row looks a little discolored as well, but that may be from shadows cast from the art you're holding.

I don’t think there’s such a thing as the perfect glue. Most glues will work just fine, maybe even great but it really depends how you use it and what you’re using it for, sunlight fading, edges peeling and a myriad of other factors will have varying results. Most white glues are sufficient for the majority of us.

Have you tried the Art glitter glue? I would’ve liked to see your opinion on it especially compared to the Bearly as I have both and they’re pretty much identical, both have the fine tip bottles and glue pin. I thought I’d seen it in the background of one your videos.

Hi Lisa! I like your style, thanks for the experiment 🙂 I use vellum and glassine in collage and it invariably warps and crinkles with any application of liquidy material like inks or paints, which sometimes I don't mind as I like the texture, BUT... I am looking for a better glue situation. so, there are artists here on YT who I love who only use mat medium for collage, which I've tried, but it gets so thick and stiffens the paper so much! and others who I also love who swear by Uhu sticks, which I've also used, but they're also kind of gloppy and streaky. Is there no thin layering misty spray adhesive that wouldn't have such thickening effects? is my technique just rubbish, or is it the product? I also have tacky glue and the glitter glue, which are great for some things but not others. Ideally I'd like something that works with the vellum/glassine translucent papers... sorry so long and wordy! 😶 I do love collage, thanks for devoting your YT channel to it!!💖

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