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The Essential Glue Pad
By: Susan Caplan

    I was curious about this pad when it recently came on the market.  How could this pad possibly be any different from the other glue pads already for sale?  Knowing that Tsukineko is a company that brings us unique and quality products, I knew I just have to give this pad a try.
       
    The pad comes with a re-inker included.  Once I opened the pad I learned as to why the re-inker was included, the pad is dry. They recommend you apply one teaspoon of ink to the dry pad. Unlike other glue pads, which must be heat set, this pad is supposed to be used wet.
   
    I decided to try three different mediums with this pad, glitter, Pearlex powder and Gildenglitz foil.  I have used these mediums previously, with other glue pads with mixed results.

    First I decided to try the Pearl-Ex.  I inked my stamp up with the glue and stamped onto black cardstock.  It was hard to see the image stamped as it is now clear, but I could faintly make out the detail if I tilted my paper.  I applied the Pearl-Ex onto the image by tapping some color off from a brush in various areas.  I tapped down lightly and removed the excess, and repeated the process with my next colors until the image was totally covered.  I lightly wiped over the image with a tissue, to remove the excess from unwanted areas.  Well, I’ll be darned!  The glue pad did an excellent job.  I could see the fine details of my stamp clearly.  It was amazing.   A+   Click here for Project

    Next I chose the foil.  I stamped my image again on cardstock but this time I stamped the image two different times.  I wanted to see if I needed to allow the glue to get tacky for the foil to adhere, so I set one image aside.  I applied the foil to the wet image, tapped down lightly and gently brushed over it with a stiff brush to remove excess foil from between the stamped image.  The image was perfect!  Click here for Project

    Having allowed the second image to get tacky, I applied the foil, tapped down, rubbed gently with a stiff brush, and had fairly good results as well.  However, I do think the first image (which was used wet) was crisper, and I preferred it to the second.  Once again, I rate this pad… A+

    My last test was with glitter.  Could the glue really hold the glitter?  I stamped my image and poured the glitter over various areas, tapping down gently (same process as with Pearl-Ex powders), and removed the excess.  I repeated with other colors until the image was covered.  Once again, amazing results.  The fine details of my image were now glittered and the lines were crisp.   A+  Click here for Project

    I have found this pad to be nothing short of incredible!  I do have a few tips for you that I found while using this pad.
    1.  Clean your stamps immediately.  I use baby wipes.
    2.  The pad needs to be re-inked if you don’t use it for more than a day or so.
    3.  Allow your images to dry after you have applied your medium of choice.
    4.  Some of my better results were the 2^nd generation stamped images, when my pad was newly re-inked.  The stamp can become too wet if you have pressed down too hard on the pad. So, the second generation stamping may be crisper.

    I think next I am going to give flocking a try!  If my previous experience with this pad is any indication, I don’t think I will be disappointed.

    I say, ”Run, don’t walk!” to get your hands on this specialty pad.  It is well worth the money and you won’t be disappointed!  Experiment and above all, have fun!