How to Glue Paper Without Getting Those Pesky Grooves

Have you ever gotten grooves and bumps in your paper when gluing? Here is a way to prevent those.

1. Make sure you have all of the items in the "Things You'll Need" section.
   
   
2. Lay down newspaper, plastic bags or plain brown or white paper over a surface so that you don't make a mess.
   
   
3. Determine what side of the paper you need to put the glue on, and where it's going to be glued. This is important. You don't want to put the glue on the wrong sides of the paper, and you don't want to use the wrong kind of glue for your job. Place the side of the paper to be glued, face up.
   
   
4. Sometimes, if you are gluing a large piece of paper, it's easiest to spray a fine mist of water on first, to lightly moisten the paper. This will help the glue spread evenly.
   
   
5. You can also slightly dilute the glue or add methylcellulose to keep it from drying out too quickly when you're working.
   
   
6. With as wide a brush as possible, and without overloading your brush with the glue (use as little glue as necessary to make a thin, but consistent film that doesn't dull too quickly after putting it down), start at the center of the paper and spread the glue out to the edges. Make it as even as possible. When the paper is completely and evenly glued. allow it a moment for the fibers in the paper to relax. There shouldn't be any bumps or ridges in the paper if you did it properly.
   
   
7. Most times, the paper gets grooves and bumps because you use too much glue. Pick up a reasonable amount of glue onto your brush. You probably need less than you think.
   
   
8. Apply the paper or cardboard to be glued over your glued paper, lift up and carefully smooth the paper down with the back of a knife (a plastic one works well), your fingers, or the rounded, bowl part of a spoon, again, starting in the middle and working out to the edges.
   
   
9. Put a piece of plastic wrap on either side, weight under books or bricks or some other heavy weights for a day, unwrap and you're finished.
   
   

• Do not use your fingers for smearing. This makes a mess. Also, when you flip your paper over, you may get glue on the front.
• Save the glue that you scrape off if you're going to glue more than one thing.
• Put newspaper down if you're covering the entire paper.
• Another suggestion would be to use a glue stick or rubber glue. Those distribute glue evenly without extra work.

• If your glue is not washable take extra care not to get it on your skin or hair as it will be very hard to remove.
• Some types of glue are toxic, so read labels and be careful.
• Do NOT stick your fingers in super or hot glue!!!!

• Glue
• Popsicle stick
• Paper plate
• Newspaper (optional)