Archival Glue

October 25, 2004 10:32 AM

Looking for an archival, removable, acid-free glue. Preferably tacky. [mi]

I've got a collection of various papers and artifacts pertaining to local history, and I'm finally getting around to making small displays using shadowboxes. I'm looking for an adhesive that I can use to position items against the backing of the shadowboxes. It needs to be archival (acid-free and such) and removable. Items in question are generally lightweight, such as postcards and matchbooks. A tacky type of glue would be ideal. Suggestions?

posted by keswick to Home & Garden (6 answers total)

visit your local art supply store and go talk to the book binding nerds in the back. they can usually recommend something, and maybe even have their own glue brew (the place in Eugene, OR i used to go to did).
posted by Hackworth at 10:49 AM on October 25, 2004

I've used a product called StudioTac by Bainbridge which sounds right up your alley. I couldn't find a decent site describing it though, after a quick search. Basically it comes in sheets which you can cut out in any shape. There are a bunch of tiny dots of adhesive that stick well to paper and the like but come off easily and cleanly. It is archival. I've found it to be quite good. I think I bought it from a drafting supplies store.
posted by picea at 11:38 AM on October 25, 2004

Ditto what picea said. The stuff is called adhesive putty and galleries use it to attach painting info cards onto the wall. Elmer's Tack is another brand that comes to mind. I'm not sure if it's acid free but you might find out from a local gallery.
posted by jabo at 11:42 AM on October 25, 2004

YES! Glue is pretty popular, but I think it's more like Elmers. It's archival though.
posted by agregoli at 11:51 AM on October 25, 2004

Don't forget to check out your local scrapbooking store. They have a lot of different kinds of glue- permanent and otherwise.
posted by small_ruminant at 6:16 PM on October 25, 2004

Wheat paste.
posted by eustacescrubb at 7:39 PM on October 25, 2004