Glues & Glue Removers in Office Supplies

Tips for choosing tape and glue

When you need to attach something to something else, whether it's to mend an item that's broken or to create a new project, choosing from a wide selection of adhesive products makes it easy to find what you need. Use this information about the different types of tape and glue specially made for adhering to paper products, durable adhesives for packaging and specialty products for other materials like plastic and leather to determine what meets your needs.

Packaging and shipping tape

Packaging and shipping tape provide a solution that's stronger and more durable than regular desk tape. You can choose between several types. Two main things to consider are the weight of your package and if you need to be able to see what's under the tape, such as a label.

• Clear packing tapes are useful for sealing boxes and for attaching shipping labels. This type of tape is durable and won't easily strip away from the box or mailing label.
• You can choose between single rolls if you only have a box or two to seal, or you may want to choose multipacks when you have major shipping projects to complete. Buying multipacks usually saves you more money than buying several single rolls.
• You can also purchase this type of packing tape with a dispenser to make it easier to use.
• For shipping heavier packages, reinforced tape that you moisten to activate the adhesive is an extra-strong option.

Desk tape and tape dispensers

Desk tape comes in a few different styles and widths to make it a breeze to use. Double-sided desk tape is useful when you need to attach two paper items with no tape showing, such as for craft and scrapbooking projects. Traditional cellophane tape has a glossy finish, so it's easy to spot. It's useful for everyday taping when it doesn't matter if the taped area shows. For gift wrapping and any time you want to tape on a surface to not show too much, invisible tape has a clear, low-luster finish that blends with the paper beneath it.

Types of glue

Glue is useful when you need to repair objects like a broken ceramic mug or decorate crafts.

• Liquid glue: Liquid glue is useful when you're working with shaped pieces and need the glue to flow into the crevices in order to form a strong bond. It's also useful for gluing papers together and if you need to be able to spread the glue with a brush or cotton swab for craft projects. When you're shopping for liquid glues, some considerations are washability, the materials you're gluing and whether you need a permanent bond or if a short-term bond will work for your needs. Washable glues make for easy cleanup, especially for children. Superglues create a strong, permanent bond to non-paper surfaces such as wood, ceramic, leather and rubber. All-purpose glue and rubber cement are useful for bonding paper and cardboard products together.
• Glue sticks: Glue sticks are useful when you need to maintain control over where the adhesive goes, such as on children's papercraft projects and when you're attaching shaped decorations to scrapbook pages. These tubes of glue contain a thick paste that comes out of the tube by twisting the bottom, and they're easy to use for children and adults.
• Specialty glue: Specialty glues provide solutions for a variety of your other gluing needs. For example, if one of your decorative fine china dishes breaks, you can use a specialty glue that bonds instantly to put it back together. You can also use specialty glues, like epoxies and superglue, to rejoin broken pieces of plastic or metal. Look for fabric glues when working with material in your craft projects.
• Adhesive removers: If some glue ends up sticking where it doesn't belong, adhesive removers can help you get rid of it. Browse through the selection of adhesive removers to find one designed to remove the type of glue you're using. These cleaning solvents come in spray, liquid and wipe forms. If you have a large area covered with adhesive that needs to be removed, a spray cleans the area quickly. Smaller areas are suited to both the liquid adhesive remover and the adhesive remover wipes.

Life can get messy, and any time you need to put things in their place and keep them there, tapes and glues can help you achieve that. Browse through the variety of adhesive products by searching for the types of material you need to join, or search through the selection of special offers and Rollback items to find the type of glue or tape you need.