With the right adhesive, you can easily glue cardboard together. To glue cardboard together, you can choose from various adhesives, which are:
- Super glue
- Tacky glue
- Contact cement
- Spray adhesive
- Hot glue
- Epoxy glue
To get a strong bond and the overall best results, apply only a thin layer of glue to avoid getting the cardboard too wet.
These adhesives will work, regardless of using thin or thicker cardboard for the project.
This guide will touch base on the benefits of the different adhesives great for gluing cardboard together and then also describe each step to get a strong bond that will be durable.
The Best Adhesives To Glue Cardboard Together
In the intro, we mentioned the types of glue that are best for this specific type of project, where you need to glue cardboard with cardboard.
Look at these factors to determine which glue is best for your project:
- Strength
- Will it work with small, light cardboard?
- Will it work for large surfaces?
- Will it work with heavier cardboard?
- Bonding time
- What is the drying time?
- What is the recommended curing time by the manufacturers? (24 hours or more?)
- Application
- Is it easy to dispense?
- Is it easy to apply?
- Is it easy to spread? (If necessary)
- Finish color
- Does it dry, clear, and transparent?
- Does it dry with a color?
Each glue has its unique advantages points. We will list the main features of each adhesive so you can quickly and easily decide on the one that would work best with the project at hand.
Super Glue
Super glue is a very popular adhesive used for various gluing projects. You won’t have trouble finding this option from popular brands like Gorilla Glue, Loctite, and others.
This adhesive dries very fast, so you must keep this in mind when applying it.
Knowing your project, can you apply the glue and press the two surfaces together within the amount of time it will take for them to fully dry?
- Dries very fast (within 10-45 seconds)
- High impact for resistance and strength
- Easy to dispense
- Strong adhesion
Tacky Glue
Generally referred to as white glue, made using PVA. It has an acrylic-based formulation and a thick texture.
Here is what tacky glue is great at:
- Offering a strong and permanent bond that is also flexible
- It is water soluble when it is wet
- When it fully cures, it becomes water-resistant
- Non-toxic
- Easy to clean up
Contact Cement
Contact cement is a great choice if you are looking for a permanent bond that remains flexible.
The main thing to know about contact cement is that it becomes dry as soon as it is applied.
This works because, after application, the adhesive will start to evaporate. As it evaporates, it will create a strong and permanent bond.
Spray Adhesive
If you are doing a project that requires a large surface to be glued together, then an adhesive spray is a practical and very helpful adhesive to work with.
It makes the gluing process very easy, convenient, and quick.
A spray adhesive:
- Dries clear (transparent)
- Offers a strong permanent bond
If you choose a spray adhesive, work in a well-ventilated room with good air circulation. Open up the windows (or the door). Consider adding a fan to circulate the air better while working with the glue.
Hot Glue
Almost everyone will be familiar with hot glue. Hot glue has become a go-to gluing tool for various projects and crafts.
Hot glue can effectively glue cardboard together. Plus, it dries very fast.
Epoxy Glue
If you haven’t used epoxy glue before, you need to know this.
Epoxy glue has two parts. Before applying it, you need to mix these two parts.
This will cause a chemical reaction that will allow the glue to deliver a durable and strong adhesion that will be permanent.
How To Glue Cardboard Together: Easy To Follow Steps
Now we are getting to the fun part. Once you have the glue selected for your project, you can move on to the steps to glue cardboard together.
Follow these steps to get the best bond for your cardboard surfaces:
- Get the surfaces ready – make sure they are both clean and dry
- Apply one thin layer of glue to one of the surfaces (don’t use too much as the cardboard may get wet and that could lead to it becoming soggy)
- If you are using hot glue or super glue, remember that both these adhesives dry very fast, in less than a minute – once you apply the glue, you need to move quickly but ensure that you align the surfaces together, then press them together. Keep applying this pressure while the glue fully dries.
- If you are working with white glue, apply one layer of it, then allow the glue to become tacky before you join the two surfaces together.
- Use tools that can work as weights (such as books or heavier boxes) to add them on top of the cardboard to help the glue create a stronger adhesion
- Please wait for the glue to cure fully (this usually takes 24 hours, but with some glues, it can be even longer, so read the manufacturer’s recommendation)
If you need to glue very thick and heavier cardboard together, use heavy-duty spray. For larger surfaces as well, use a heavy-duty spray adhesive.
Conclusion
Gluing cardboard together is very easy when working with an adhesive designed to work effectively on cardboard.
In this guide, you have learned that it isn’t only one glue you can work with on this project.
Choose an adhesive that will help with the specifics of your project, such as the size or weight of the cardboard.
If you need to glue large cardboard surfaces, use a heavy-duty spray adhesive. This will be the most effective and durable option and the easiest and quickest to apply.
