So I was busily creating away in my craft room the other day when I ran out of glue. I use Tombow’s multi-mono liquid glue (you know, “green” glue) for nearly everything, and I got to wondering: “Why couldn’t I just use some plain ol’ Elmer’s glue instead. What’s the difference – they’re both white PVA glues, aren’t they?” So I started to look it up. And in a word, NO. They aren’t the same. Here’s what I found out, courtesy of Split Coast Stampers.
• Tombow’s is re-positional if you let it dry first. Sort of like a Post-It note, very useful for masking. Elmer’s won’t do that.
• Both of them dry clear.
• Tombow’s contains latex and is not a PVA glue. If you are latex sensitive, this is something to consider. I am a little latex sensitive – at least I am to heart monitor patches and some band aid strips. I haven’t had a problem with Tombow’s though. However if you are seriously latex sensitive you might want to choose something else.
• Both Elmer’s and Tombow’s are water soluble when wet. NOT after they’ve dried and hardened in your paintbrush. You can eventually wash them out though, if you use plenty of soap. Tombow’s is not so good for applying glitter or flocking – it stays tacky when dry. Elmer’s is much better for that application.
• Tombow’s is archival – acid free. Says so right in the small print on the back of the bottle. Elmer’s is slightly acidic – about 4.5 to 5.1 as best as I could find out. Elmer’s does make a spray glue that is archival though. And there are other PVA glues that are non-acid.
While I was looking around for the answer to my Tombow’s vs. Elmer’s question I found a lot of other information about glue. All kinds of glues. I made a handy chart for you focused on paper and fabric glues. If you’d like a copy of this free PDF just click on the button below. I think you’ll find it useful.
Did I say it’s absolutely FREE! IT IS! just put in your first name and email address, and click on the button.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my Very First Blog Post! I hope you’ll come back again.
Happy crafting – and gluing!
Blessings, Carole
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