How to Glue Paper to Plastic

School glue is suitable for many plastic projects.

Many projects, such as school or craft projects, call for adhering one medium to another. Today's craft market offers a wide variety of tapes and glues to meet all of your project requirements. Gluing paper to plastic can be accomplished with ordinary school glue or rubber cement. Many specialized products are available for purchase, but chances are, most households have school glue or rubber cement already accessible for your project needs.

Things You'll Need

• Fine-grain sandpaper
• Paper
• School glue or multi-purpose glue
• Paper plate
• Sponge applicator
• Rubber cement

Instructions

Gluing Paper to Plastic With School or Multi-purpose Glue

1. Rub lightly the area on the plastic where you wish to glue paper with a piece of fine-grain sandpaper. Rub in a circular motion to create a slight texture to help the glue adhere better. Blow or wipe away the shavings.

2. 

   Place the paper item next to the plastic.

   Place the plastic object onto a table. Place the paper item to be adhered to the plastic beside it. Pour a quarter-sized amount of school glue onto a paper plate beside the plastic and paper.

3. Dip a sponge applicator (sponge on a wood handle) or your finger into the glue and spread the glue over the back of the paper object. Make sure the edges and corners are coated well. Sponge applicators can be purchased in craft stores.

4. Lift the paper item and position it where desired onto the plastic object. Use your hand (cleaned first if you used your fingers to apply the glue) to smooth the paper, rubbing from the center of the paper out toward the edges to work out any air bubbles.

5. Allow the glue to dry.

Gluing Paper to Plastic With Rubber Cement

1. 

   Rub the plastic with fine-grain sandpaper.

   Rub the area on the plastic that will receive the paper object with a fine-grain sandpaper to create a light texture. Don't rub hard, just enough to rough up the gluing surface. The Minneapolis College of Art and Design recommends, "Apply glues to clean dry surfaces."

2. Unscrew the rubber cement jar lid. The applicator brush is attached to the lid. Stir the brush in the rubber cement to adequately coat the brush.

3. Apply the rubber cement with the brush applicator over the back of the paper. Brush a little extra rubber cement in the corners and on the edges.

4. Lift the paper with your hands and position over the plastic with the glue side hovering over the desired position. Place the paper onto the plastic.

5. 

   Wipe away excess rubber cement with your fingers.

   Use your palms to smooth the paper from the center out toward the corners and edges, working out any air bubbles and excess rubber cement. Wipe excess rubber cement away with your fingers.

6. Allow rubber cement to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use rubber cement in a well-ventilated area. According to the University of Washington, inhalants such as rubber cement "not only damage the nervous system, but other organs such as the lungs, liver, heart and kidney can be injured permanently."

References

• University of Washington: Neuroscience for Kids--Inhalants
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design: Glue Tips

Resources

• Elmer's Glue Guide: Glue Paper to Plastic Product Results