Double sided crafting tape is a type of adhesive tape which, as the name suggests, has two different sides. One side is a low-tack adhesive that is suitable for most materials whilst the other has a stronger adhesive that can be used on more difficult or delicate surfaces such as paper or delicate fabrics.
Benefits of using double sided crafting tape
1.On paper or card to make gift tags, place cards and decorative items.This side is low tack so won’t stick to other items.
2.On paper or card to frame a photograph – the gift tag side can be used by cutting a section of the tape and attaching it to the back of the photo and then sticking it on the card.
3.In crafts; this type of tape is suitable for craft work as it can be wrapped around plaster moulds for making candles, wrapped around bottle tops for making Christmas decorations, or applied to wooden pallets for making wreaths etc.
4.A photo frame. Cut a piece of tape 2cm wide and 2cm long and attach it to one side of the frame.
5.As an adhesive for stitching on mending patches, especially for use with leather.
6.If you have a hand cream tube you can use double sided tape to seal the top of the tube and also as a lidding on pots when using potpourri and similar items as they shouldn’t be rained on or left in water – try brand “Kleen Speed” which is 3M brand but cheaper than 3M (although not double sided).
7.Double sided tape comes in a variety of colours and often comes as a small spool of 10m. It is also sold separately as individual rolls for a few pounds for 1m of tape but is often on offer for around 1p per roll. If you are using it on large items you will need to purchase enough to cover the size of the item you are covering (e.g. if you want to cover a tabletop with double sided tape, buy enough to cover the entire table top).
8.Ideally the surface you will be applying it to should be clean, dry and the adhesive should be applied to the side you want to stick to. For example, if you are using it on cardboard you should apply it to the cardboard. It is a good idea however to put a layer of PVA glue on top of the area first (the glue won’t stick) and then apply a layer of double sided tape as this makes sure that there is enough stick without being too much that it goes all over the place when sticking.
9.If you are using it to stick a gift tag on it’s recommended that you attach the tag onto the card, then glue it down onto the gift paper before applying double sided tape.
10.If you are using double sided tape on very thin papers or other delicate items you should wrap it around a newspaper in order to make sure that the paper doesn’t get damaged by the way in which you unfold it and apply it to your item.