Cardstock is excellent craft stuff. It’s slightly thicker and sturdier than usual paper but thinner and more flexible than cardboard. You can use it for things that need more durability than paper. Usages include postcards, scrapbooking, playing cards, and business cards, to name a few.
Different materials, like paper, photos, fabric, vellum, etc. are often used to make crafts with cardstock. Some may prefer sewing or binding it with glue tape. But everyone does not have a sewing machine in their home, right? And glue tape affects the appearance.
Keeping these in mind, I prefer glue to attach cardstock to cardstock and cardstock to other materials. Glue is easy to use and gives a fast bond. However, you need to use the best glue for cardstock for the desired result as well. And it is not just gluing and attaching; the procedures also vary depending on the adhesives you use.
In order to make things easier for you, I have put everything I experienced over the years into crafting with cardstock.
Let’s jump on it.
Table of Contents
How to Glue Photos to Cardstock
There are many ways to attach photos to cardstock. I prefer using glue to attach my photos to cardstock. Because glue is less-expensive and it sticks for a long time.
Now comes which glue to use? Any PVA glue and tacky glue will do the job. However, go for an acid-free (pH neutral) and non-toxic. It will not yellow over time. I would recommend using Aleene’s Tacky glue or Elmer’s Glue for this purpose.
After choosing glue, follow these simple steps.
- Hold your photos upside down on the table or in your hand.
- Put down some blobs on the photos. Then, spread the glues with the help of a paintbrush. Don’t keep them open in the air for a long time, as they start to dry after application.
- Now, gently set down the photos on cardstock. Then slightly rub in a way, so no bubbles are trapped inside.
- Use a roller or your hand to smooth down the surface. There will be leftover glues around the corner. Wipe them away before they dry.
- A book or a weighted object will be an excellent choice to hold them together until drying. For most PVA and Tacky glue, it takes 30 minutes to 2 hours to set and 24 hours for complete cure.
Caution
- Do not use super glue and hot glue. They will fry the photos and crumble the cardstock.
How to Glue Vellum to Cardstock
Vellum paper is different from the usual paper. It’s lightweight and transparent and hence severs excellent use in decorating scrapbooks and gift cards. Traditionally, vellum paper was made from calfskin. Recently, tree fibers and cotton have been used for making it.
It does not absorb glue like paper. Therefore, it can be tricky to attach the vellum to other materials. And, you also have to keep its transparency at the same time.
With these in mind, I like to use spray adhesive to glue vellum. Spray adhesive is easy to use, dries quickly, and, most importantly, mess-free. To attach vellum using spray adhesives, I have described the procedure below.
- First, cut the vellum paper the same size you want to attach to the cardstock. Use a ruler and pencil to draw lines before. It can help to cut the vellum in a straight line.
- After that, put it on a table and spray the adhesive on one side of it. Shake the bottle first. Then, sprinkle a little bit in the air to clear any clog in the nozzle.
- At the same time, spray the adhesive on the cardstock too. Putting glue on vellum will work great. But, spraying on both materials will strengthen the bond.
- Now, lay down the vellum paper carefully. Do not leave any room for vacuum underneath.
- Most importantly, try to attach both objects within 1-2 minutes of spraying. Note that, most spray adhesives will dry in a few minutes.
Caution
- Always read the instruction on the cover. Some spray adhesives might contain flammable substances. So, keep the fire away.
How Do You Glue Cardstock to Paper
Cardstock and paper are similar types of materials for excellent craftwork. Different types of gift boxes, cards, and mailboxes are quite easy to make and attach together with any suitable adhesive.
I like to glue cardstock to paper with PVA glue. They are water-soluble, so you can thin them with water if necessary. Also, they dry clear with a transparent finish. Most importantly, PVA glue is handy and cheap. My recommended one is Clear Gorilla Glue.
Using PVA, you can glue cardstock to paper with the following procedure.
- Lay your cardstock down serially on a table.
- Put a small blob on the cardstock. Then, evenly spread the blob in a thin layer using a brush.
- Then, do the same with paper too. You can glue cardstock only. But gluing both creates a formidable bond.
- After that, take the cardstock and slowly lay it down on the paper from one side. Don’t rush to make any bumps or curls.
- There will be extra glue on the sides of the cardstock and paper. Wipe them away.
- Generally, PVA glue takes as little as 30 minutes to dry and cures fully in 24 hours.
Caution
- Avoid using excessive glue. Otherwise, the paper will swell and warp.
How to Glue Cardstock to Graduation Cap
Cardstock is a beautiful option to decorate the graduation cap. You can add letters, pictures, etc. on cardstock and attach the cardstock to the cap top.
You can use glue fabric glue or glue stick to adhere the cardstock to the graduation cap. Follow the mentioned steps:
- First, take a ruler and pencil. Trace out the top of the cap and cut the cardstock accordingly (larger ones).
- Now, pierce a hole in the middle of the paper where your tassel will come out. To find this, place your cardstock on top of your graduation cap. You will find a slightly raised area. Cut it.
- After that, glue your cardstock with a glue stick or fabric glue. Remember, buy an adhesive that is acid-free and toxic-free. Moreover, it better be tacky enough to avoid glue seeping through the fabric.
- Afterward, lay down the cardstock on top of the graduation cap. Do not rush. Blush your hand or a roller to set down the cardstock. In this way, it will fit completely without any bubbles.
- Finally, put the cap upside down on the cardstock and wait for the glue to dry and set. Normally fabric glue sets within 2-3 hours.
Caution
- Be careful when cutting the hole for the tassel so that the scissors do not cut through the cap.
How Do You Glue Cardstock to Glass
For making greeting cards, or other crafts, sometimes you might need to bond cardstock with glass. It is no big deal if you know the suitable adhesive.
Adhesive tape and epoxy adhesive will work fine to attach cardstocks to glass. But the most suitable option can be glue dots. They are mess-free and super easy to use. So I prefer using Glue Dots, even though they seem to be slightly expensive.
The methods are simple:
- Lay down the cardstock piece on a flat surface.
- Glue dots are two-way adhesive. They come in a handheld dispenser. To glue, first, remove the protective cover.
- Now, place the nose of the roller at a 45-degree angle on one end of the cardstock. Then, pull back slowly to the other end.
- Do it again, keeping some space between the lines of glue dots.
- Slowly put down the cardstock to glass.
- Glue dots are instant drying adhesive. So you do not have to clamp or hold together the objects.
Important point: Glue dots also come in resealable sheets. To use this type, just tear along the sheets to separate one or more dots. After that, remove the white liner and press them firmly on the cardstock. Then, remove the second liner. Now, press the cardstock firmly on the glass. And you are done in no time.
How to Glue Fabric to Cardstock
Fabric can be a wonderful medium of decoration on journals or cardstocks. And, you can attach it easily. As fabric and cardstock both are porous materials, any PVA glue or tacky glue can do the job.
However, they can get messy at times. To avoid the mess, I will introduce a simple way to glue fabric to cardstock. Let’s hop on it.
Find “Heat and Bond” adhesive. It is like a peel-off glue sheet.
- To start with, first put a towel on the table.
- After that, cut the glue sheets the same as your fabric’s size. You will find a smooth side and a bumpy side on the sheet. The glue is on the bumpy side.
- Now, place your fabric on the table. Lay down the bumpy side of the sheets on top of the fabric. Then iron it with electric iron for a few seconds. The heat will melt the glue.
- Wait a minute or two for cooling down. The glue will adhere perfectly to the fabric at this time. In the meantime, peel off the plastic from the upper side.
- Next comes the most crucial part. Carefully take the fabric and put it on the side of the cardstock you peeled off earlier. Then, lay down the fabric gently so that there is no curl or warps on the fabric.
- Finally, keep them together in place for a few minutes. It will not need much time for the glue to dry. Usually, 15-20 minutes will be enough.
Caution
- Applying medium heat will be enough for the glue to melt. So set your iron accordingly.
How to Glue Cardstock to Wood
Attaching cardstock to wood is probably the easiest way to decorate your home with a plain wooden box. Using Mod Podge, you can glue cardstock to wood, following the mentioned steps.
- First, clear the wood from any dust or residues by wiping it with a damp cloth.
- Take a brush and dip it into decoupage glue. On one side of the cardstock, put a layer of glue with the brush.
- Lay down the cardstock on the wood and smooth it onto the wood by rubbing your fingers.
- Now, dip the brush back into the glue. Put another layer over the outside of the cardstock.
- Wait for the glue to dry. It will set completely in 2 hours.
Cautions
- Always wipe the wood to get rid of any residue. Otherwise, the adhesion might not be strong enough.
How to Glue Glitter Cardstock to Paper
Glitter cardstock is trickier to attach than usual cardstock. It is heavier and textured, making the process more difficult to glue glitter cardstock to paper.
The best glue for this purpose is clear liquid glue. I would like to use Mod Podge again.
Lay down the glitter cardstock and paper. And, put some Mod Podge on both, but a little extra on the cardstock. Spread the glue with a brush. After that, place the glitter cardstock on the paper. Clamp them together by placing a heavy object on top. They will adhere completely in 2 hours.
How to Glue Cardstock to Cardboard
Cardstock and cardboard are both porous materials. So, using any tacky glue or PVA adhesive, you can glue cardstock to cardboard. My choice is Elmer’s School Glue.
Cut the cardboard according to your needs. Then dump some glue on the cardboard and spread the glue evenly. After that, lay down your cardstock pieces one by one. Be careful not to leave any room for the vacuum. Otherwise, there will be curls and warping. The adhesive will set in 2 hours; wait until then.
How to Glue Cardstock to Burlap
Burlap is a woven fabric made from the jute plant. So, any fabric glue, PVA glue, or white craft glue will be a good choice for gluing cardstock with burlap. However, it has more gaps between threads than the usual fabric. So, you need thick, tacky glue.
Put some fabric glue on the cardstock. Use your hand to create an even, thick layer of glue on it. Then, attach the cardstock to the burlap. Clamp them together until the glue dries completely; 3-4 hours should be enough.
Final Words
Making a beautiful craft requires your patience and effort. You need to know about the procedures and relevant materials. Otherwise, the craft will not be the one you imagined. You do not want to give someone messed up stuff or decorate your home with it. Right?
So, take your time. Spare a few minutes to find the right materials and choose the procedure that fits your work style. There are many ways you can glue cardstock to photos, paper, vellum, etc.
After reading this article, I hope you have found the answers you were searching for. Happy crafting with cardstock!
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