Keeping a good tape runner stashed away in your kit is a must for paper crafters.
Glue is the natural choice to stick elements to your papercraft project. But glue is a wet adhesive that can wrinkle paper. It also takes some time to set.
Double-sided tape is a good choice when you need a dry adhesive that bonds quickly and invisibly. But double-sided tape can be challenging to work with.
You can make papercrafting easier by selecting the right kind of tape and dispenser. So save yourself a lot of headaches and wasted purchases, spend a few minutes picking out the tape runner that is perfect for you.
Aubry’s Choice For Best Tape Runner
I recommend Tombow tape runners. The palm-sized dispenser reaches even tight spaces. They come in multiple formulations. I like the way they apply smoothly. They are paper craft-friendly. Plus, they are widely available.
Things To Think About
Tape runners put double-sided tape right where you want it. So you want to consider two main things when selecting one.
The first is the dispenser style. A gun-style dispenser works best when you need a large amount of tape. It does require more room to use. The palm-sized dispensers work best in tight spaces but have limited capacity.
The second is the adhesive. Even though it comes in dry form, you should think about it just like any other adhesive.
What Is A Tape Runner
A tape runner is a handheld tool that neatly dispenses double-sided tape. They come in various sizes, from small palm-sized dispensers to large gun-style units.
When Do You Use Them
They work well to mount things like photos for scrapbooking or cardmaking invisibly. They neatly join layers and pieces for paper airplanes and card models.
Dispenser Style
There are two kinds of dispensers – palm-sized and gun-style.
Palm-sized dispensers are designed to fit into your hand. They are light and easy to use. Also, they effortlessly fit into tight corners. I like them because they don’t clutter my work table.
Along with the convenient palm-size dispenser comes a limited tape supply. So it may not work well for larger projects like scrapbooking.
Gun-style dispensers have a handle like a gun. They were originally intended for shipping departments. So they have a large tape capacity. Also, there is an extensive range of tape widths, adhesives, and formats available.
You can now get gun-style dispensers designed for crafters. They are a favorite of scrapbookers.
Disposable VS Refillable Dispensers
As you would expect, you throw away a disposable tape runner when it’s empty. All disposables are palm-size dispensers.
Refillable cartridge dispensers come in two styles – gun-style and palm size. When the tape runs out, you swap a new cartridge for the empty one, which you throw away.
Refillable dispensers are all gun-style. When the tape runs out, you remove the spent core and backing. Then you thread a new tape spool into the gun. You get the widest choice of tape widths, adhesives, and formats with refillable spools.
Permanent VS Temporary Bond
Permanent adhesives do not let you remove an item without damage. They have short working times. This means once you place an element, you won’t be able to reposition it.
Temporary adhesive lets you remove and reposition items. This helps with stencils and layouts. If you want to finalize a design, you will have to apply permanent adhesive.
Acid-Free Adhesives
Acid-free adhesives are also called neutral pH-balanced adhesives. They are really the only thing you should use with photographs or archival quality paper. Any other choice will damage them.
Adhesives that are not pH balanced are an excellent choice for short-lived projects. They are often used for children’s projects like paper bag hand puppets.
Tape Formats
The most common tape format is a strip. The dispenser lays down a single continuous strip of adhesive.
There are several other standard formats:
- Dots – a line of circular dots
- Tabs – a line of blocks
- Diamonds – a line of diamonds
- Stripes – a line of bars.
Tape Color
Most tape is clear and colorless.
There are colored and opaque tapes available.
The 5 Best Tape Runners
1. Tombow Tape Runner
These tape runners lay down double-sided, acid-free, and photo-safe adhesive. They are safe for scrapbooking, card making, and other papercraft projects.
Tombow delivers a large number of adhesive formulations. There is a repositionable formulation that I like to use for layouts. There are also three permanent formulations. One is a high-performance formulation that is five times stronger than ordinary tape runners.
They also have a diamond dot format in a permanent adhesive.
All of the Tombow tape runners refill with a snap-in cartridge.
Tombow Mono Adhesive Dispenser – Removable
The Tombow Mono Adhesive Dispenser instantly creates a removable bond. So you can reposition photos, notes, and more.
It is acid-free and Photographic Activity Test Approved (PAT).
Tombow Mono Adhesive Dispenser – Permanent
The Tombow MONO Adhesive Dispenser bonds instantly. So there is no time to reposition elements.
It is acid-free and Photographic Activity Test Approved (PAT).
Tombow Mono Dots Adhesive Dispenser – Permanent
The Tombow Mono Dots Adhesive Dispenser delivers diamond-shaped dots of adhesive. The adhesive is initially repositionable. It sets to a permanent bond. Acid-Free and photo-safe for use with archival materials.
Tombow Mono Adhesive + – Permanent
The Tombow Mono Adhesive + features a unique instant start system. It advances the adhesive to the tip of the applicator after every use.
It bonds instantly. So there is no time to reposition elements.
It is acid-free and Photographic Activity Test Approved (PAT).
Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive
The Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive is a high-performance tape runner. It bonds instantly and grows stronger after 24 hours. The adhesive is five times stronger than standard tape runners.
It works with paper and cardstock. Plus, it works on hard to glue surfaces like cork, wood, fabric, glass, plastic, and rubber.
It is acid-free and Photographic Activity Test Approved (PAT).
2. Adhesive Transfer Gun – ATG
3M created the ATG for the commercial market. The gun-style dispenser is right at home in a shipping department.
It uses large capacity, wide-format tapes.
Scrapbookers who use a large amount of dry adhesive tape liked the ATG capacity. But they wanted a narrower format tape. So 3M has repurposed them for crafters.
Scotch Advanced Tape Glider
This is the famous pink ATG that many scrapbookers swear by. It is refillable but does not use a cartridge.
When you need to refill it, you will have to take out the tape spool and the spent liner. Then you will have to thread the new tape by hand.
The ATG uses ¼” tape. There are several different adhesives available from many manufacturers.
Scotch Create Advanced Tape Runner
This lightweight ATG has a large capacity – 150 ft. It is refillable, and it uses a cartridge.
Like its bigger pink sister, it uses ¼” tape. It uses an instant bond permanent adhesive. So there is no time to reposition elements.
The Scotch Create Advanced Tape Runner applies a band of tiny adhesive stripes. The adhesive is clear, double-sided, acid-free, and photo-safe. Its large tape capacity makes it a good tool for scrapbooking and card making.
3. Scotch Create Tape Runner
These tape runners lay down clear double-sided, acid-free, and photo-safe adhesive.
They are safe for scrapbooking, card making, and other papercraft projects.
There are two adhesive formulations. One is permanent. The other is repositionable.
Each tape runner has a unique tape format.
Scotch Create Tape Runner – Extra Strength
The refillable dispenser uses a convenient cartridge. It uses a permanent adhesive with instant hold. So there is no chance to reposition elements.
The tape runner applies a band of tiny adhesive stripes.
Scotch Create Tape Runner—Repositionable
It is not a refillable dispenser. When it is empty, you must replace it with a new one. It uses a temporary adhesive that allows you to reposition elements.
The tape runner applies a band of tiny adhesive dots.
Scotch Create Tape Runner—Dot
The refillable dispenser uses a convenient cartridge. It uses a permanent adhesive with instant hold. So there is no chance to reposition elements.
The tape runner applies a band of tiny adhesive dots.
4. Elmer’s CraftBond Tape Runner
These tape runners lay down clear double-sided, acid-free, and photo-safe adhesive.
The high tack permanent adhesive creates a strong bond.
The tape comes in two formats. One lays down a strip of adhesive. The other one lays down adhesive dots.
Both formats are photo-safe and work well with papercrafts.
Elmer’s CraftBond Permanent Tape Runner
This refillable tape runner lays down a clear, double-sided strip of high-tack acid-free permanent adhesive. It is photo-safe.
Elmer’s CraftBond Permanent Glue Dot Runner
This refillable tape runner lays down clear double-sided dots of high-tack acid-free permanent adhesive. It is photo-safe.
5. AmazonBasics Tape Runner
Amazon Basics offers several types of dispensers and adhesive formulations.
You can use the tape safely on construction paper, cardstock, and other similar paper types. It is photo-safe.
Almost all reviewers say that it does not go on smoothly. Most feel that it does not provide a long-lasting bond.
AmazonBasics – Permanent Glue Tape
This palm-size disposable dispenser holds 1/3” clear tape. It provides an instant permanent bond.
AmazonBasics – Removable Glue Tape
This palm-size disposable dispenser holds 1/3” clear tape. It provides an instant removable bond.
Final Thoughts
You get the most out of your tape runner when it meets your needs. So pick a size and style of dispenser that suits you. Make sure the adhesive works for your project.
Tape runners work best on smooth surfaces like cardstock, construction paper, photos, and scrapbooking paper.
It is an excellent tool for paper crafts like scrapbooking, flocking, tunnel books, Tatebanko, and cardmaking.
Explore Further
Aubry’s Guide To Paper Craft Adhesives covers my recommendations for all kinds of dry and wet adhesives you will need for papercrafts.