Basics of Double Sided Tapes
Making your own cards and boxes is a real pleasure however when you first begin if the correct adhesion is not used it can spoil the finished product. This article gives a basic guide to double-sided tapes.
The development of double-sided adhesive tapes has opened up different ways to stick paper and card. There are so many adhesive tapes on the market it is difficult know which is the best one to use. Although it is personal preference what to use when using tapes to make handmade cards there are some tapes that are not appropriate for different mediums.
Below are the main double-sided self adhesive tapes available. There are new tapes being brought to the market all the time.
1 Double-sided tape.
2 Super sticky red liner tape
3 Tape pen
DOUBLE SIDED TAPE
This tape is a must in the crafters tool box. It can be used for attaching card to card or paper to card. The disadvantage of using tape is once it is down it is stuck. To help to give some movement use a glue stick to run along the tape before placing it to card.
SUPER STICKY RED LINER TAPE
A tape that lives up to the name as the title states it is red and cannot be mistaken. This will grab the card as soon as it touches the card. It is best used for heavier duty card or box making. This would not be appropriate for paper to card. Red liner tape is ideal for gilding flakes and glitter. Cut a strip place on your card and embellish with it gives a little bit of interest to the card without having to spend money on mirror card.
TAPE PEN
These are a staple for the tool box. There are three types of pen on the market, a normal double-sided tape, a super sticky tape and one that can be repositioned. Ideal for attaching paper to paper or paper to card. Some tape pens are also refillable. The pens will dispense the tape continuously as it is pulled along the item.
These tapes are great for attaching flat to a base card or matting and layering. Another important part of making a card is giving it some dimension to lift the main image.
DIMENSIONAL TAPES
These are in various depths and widths in the main they are used to lift the topper but can be used to lift a matt. The main depths used are 1 mm, 2mm and 3mm and it is cut to the length required. They are foam and are double-sided, when placing these on the card use glue stick on them so there is movement to enable positioning. Using foam tape allows a card maker to choose the size and shape they want to use. Foam tapes and pads are ideal for using with 3D Decoupage.
This is just a taste of the tapes that are available on the market. There are also wet glues available which do the same job. It is all about personal preference of what a card maker is comfortable with.
