Adhesives

White craft glue

This is the most common adhesive for crafts. It is good for gluing cardboard, paper, fabric, foam - any lightweight, porous material. It is water based so clean-up is easy. Glue must dry before it can fully bond (allow an hour to set, 24 hours to cure). Using a clamp or a weight to keep pieces together while drying can help ensure a tight connection.

Wood glue

Similar to craft glue, but designed specifically to work with wood. It is water based and thicker than craft glue. Its rigidity means it will begin to set a bit quicker than craft glue, but still requires complete drying (less than one hour to set, 24 hours to cure) for a secure bond. Note: wood glue is designed to use on unpainted wood. If pieces are painted first, the glue is not able to penetrate the surface, into the pores where the bond forms.

Hot glue

Hot glue sets very quick and can adhere to both porous and nonporous surfaces making it a great option for many craft projects. It is not designed for joints that require high strength adhesive. Hot glue also provides a good option for filling in gaps.

Super glue

Super glue (cyanoacrylate) bonds very quickly and to a variety of materials. It forms a very strong bond and dries clear. In order to achieve a good connection, the two surfaces being glued must fit together well. If there is not a smooth, tight fit, super glue will not bond. Furthermore, super glues can be finicky with respect to coverage- too much or too little can affect the bond. In general, super glue is a good choice for projects involving wood, metal, ceramic, leather, glass, and some plastics where bond joint is very tight.

Spray adhesive

A spray adhesive is a contact adhesive based in a solvent that is applied by spray. It is important that you apply spray adhesives in a well-ventilated room. After spraying each item to be glued, allow the solvent to completely evaporate (about 30 seconds) before adhering pieces. Once together, the materials will bond immediately and repositioning will be impossible. Spray adhesives can be used with paper, foam board, fabrics, photo, and felt. Note: most spray adhesives will dissolve styrofoam.