Gluing intricate dies

I recently purchased several new dies and have a question. They are extremely intricate. I use the metal shim to cut them and have no problem with that; however, I do have a problem with knowing how to "glue" them to my cards and pages. I first considered my Xyron, but soon discovered it was nearly impossible to remove the die cut from the Xyron without tearing it. Is there a spray affixative that you recommend, or how do you deal with this problem?

I can HIGHLY recommend this. It has stuck my intricate die to several different kinds of paper with the exception of glitter paper~you know, the really bumpy kind? It peels off very easily too and no smell like some of the spray adhesives. Very easy to use.

Oooh...I forgot I have something like this to use...thanks for jogging my memory!

• gin1902 Said:

Thanks so much for sharing this

I've always had good luck with Tombow Mono liquid glue. The applicator allows you to dab the tiniest little dots on the back of a die cut, dries quick and holds well.

Thank you, Linda.

Another thing I like about the Stick It stuff is that all of the pieces you'd normally discard have it on them too and if you've got a die where you like the negative shapes as well~I'm thinking especially some of the really pretty snowflake dies, all you have to do is peel the stuff off of those and they're usable too.

I'm not normally a "quick, everybody go out and buy this product because it's awesome!" kind of person, but quick, everybody go out and buy this product because it's awesome!

Most often I place it upside down on a sheet of cheap copy paper and just run a Zig glue pen over it. Hold the die cut down with something small and metal that's easy to clean glue off, like tweezers or a craft pick (be careful not to poke through your die cut!). You get glue all over the copy paper, but it's cheap. For spray adhesive I always use 3M Photo Mount (or Spray Mount if I should happen to grab the wrong can ) I also sometimes use teeny little dots of the Best Glue Ever or 3M Quick Dry.

Those stick-it sheets look really great, I'll have to get some. A little expensive for the amount of adhesive you actually get (compared to a whole bottle of glue), but looks really handy for some applications.

Another one for Tombow Mono Liquid Glue, I use it for all those little delicate and thin accents. It's inexpensive, goes a long way, easy to apply, and drys clear!

I forgot to say that I have been using & loving my Sakura quickie glue pen It is small enough to use on the tiny lines & dots..
someone said they loved the tombo mono AQUA liqud glue. I tried it but it wrinkled the paper. it you could see it where the one I use does not. the quickie does not dry immediately so I have time to move stuff.

Thanks for all the input. It helps to have some place to begin.

well, you 2 have made me retry the mono aqua glue again. I read some reviews. maybe I applied way too much. I sure love the wide applicator I just glued a variety of papers. I hope I figure it out the person who used it was a store owner but she also made hundreds of cameo & cricut paper piecings weekly to sell. this is what she used & loved. I really want to love it lol

I've posted this before but it bears another mention. I watched a friend paint the back of her hand with liquid glue. She then patted the intricate die onto the back of her hand with her little finger, and peeled it off, leaving all her other fingers and thumbs clean for sticking it down. She was quick enough to stick several die-cuts before needing to clean and re-glue her hand. Genius.

That is a very unique way t do it lol I am going to write that down I wonder how she thought of that ? lol

thanks you 2 who said the tombow mono glue. I did try and glue a bunch of papers including print paper & cardstock. It has not wrinkled at all I am so glad. I did really like it. I am glad to figure the reason why

I normally use my glue pen, but I think I am going to have to try those sticky sheets.

I apply tiny dots with a glue pen as well. Nice product to know about tho'!

This is probably. A dumb question but u do have some intricate spellbinder dies.what is the metals shim? I am having trouble cutting mine out.thanks

The metal shim that I was advised to get is called a Cuttlehug. I got it for Christmas and haven't tried it out yet. It's supposed to provide a rigid surface for even cutting.

A metal shim is FANTASTIC! There are a lot of different ones. You use it on top of your clear plastic plate, then the die goes on with the back of the die against the metal shim, your paper on top of that, and your second clear cutting plate over it all. It truly does make an amazing difference. All those little tiny cuts come out very cleanly. I just love mine - definitely worth the investment for intricate dies - a real "must have".

Thanks Darla, that makes me feel better about trying it out.

Another fan of the Zig glue pens. If you wait a little bit for it to dry, they're less tacky and more forgiving. When I've run out of glue in my Zig glue pen, I've used the Tombow mono adhesive glue but I feel like the Zig pens are more economical. Although, I do have one in each size so there's that. LOL

I'm a fan of mono. And for larger dies, dot runners - love them for punched out borders too, they only leave the dots where you need 'em .

Rosey, that's a great method! I'll be sure to keep it in mind to try.

I also wanted to suggest looking into adhesive cardstock - and cut that out instead, no need to bother with glue at all!

I forgot to say that besides the glue pen I was using the green dispeneser with removable dot runner too
The aqua mono has not wrinkled & I am so happy to have many options