Always select a glue appropriate for your surface. There are three types of surfaces:

NON-POROUS surfaces, such as metal, glass, plastic, and glossy paper, are slick and shiny, and don't absorb moisture.

SEMI-POROUS surfaces, including treated wood, coated paper, rubber, and fun foams, absorb some moisture but do so unevenly and slowly.

POROUS surfaces, including most papers, unsized fabrics, plaster, cardboard, and untreated wood, absorb moisture quickly and evenly, making it easy for glue to adhere.

There are many different types of glue including mucilage, paste, rubber cement, white glue, tacky glue, acrylic-based, pressure-sensitive, epoxies, instant, and clear glues. Most of the glues on the shelf today are either water-based, acrylic-based, or solvent-based.

SOLVENT-BASED glues are by far the strongest, have a noticeable odor, are flammable, permanent and can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications.

ACRYLIC-BASED glues contain acrylic polymers, are pretty flexible, dry clear, are rarely affected by heat or humidity, but are not suitable for outdoor use.

WATER-BASED glues are popular crafting staples but are limited in strength, can be removed with water while wet, and cannot hold heavy objects.

UNDERSTANDING SURFACES 

It's crucial to read manufacturer's instructions very carefully as they know best how to apply their products.

❉ Test glue first on scrap materials to make sure that the glue will work on your surface.

❉ Work in a well-ventilated area, minimizing exposure to solvent-based glue vapors. Never expose these glues to flames and avoid smoking while working with them.

Solvents evaporate quickly into the air, leaving the dried glue non-flammable.

❉ Protect your skin if you think you may be sensitive to any materials. It's always wise to wear plastic gloves to protect your hands from the solvents.

❉ Cover your work surface! It's best not to use newspaper as the glue can soak through to your table or counter and a solvent-based glue can easily remove finish.

Some good covers are wax paper, coated freezer wrap, aluminum foil, an old plastic tablecloth or shower curtain.

❉ Before applying glue, make sure your surface is clean, dry, and free from dust and oil.For very slick surfaces, a slight sanding with fine sandpaper will help glue adhere better.

❉ NEVER APPLY TOO MUCH GLUE! This is one of the most important tips for successful gluing. If too much glue is used, it will ooze when any pressure is applied, take much longer to dry, and actually will not hold as well since the surface will be over-saturated. Unless directions say to press hard or hold surfaces together, it's best to just use a moderate amount of glue and let it dry per manufacturer's instructions.

❉ Be prepared to use more than one type of glue on a project if you are gluing extremely different surfaces together. Again, know the properties of the surfaces you are working with.

❉ Watch out for old glue! Glue that has been sitting around for a while can easily lose its potency. Most glues have a limited shelf life—the period of time during which they will remain strong. If you use a glue that's too old or has gotten thick or discolored, your project may fall apart or be otherwise disappointing. It's better to invest in a fresh bottle of glue than struggle with

old material.

❉ Select an appropriate way to apply glue depending on either the type of adhesive you're using or the properties of the surface. Brushes, plastic spatulas, craft sticks, wooden skewers, and toothpicks are among the possible choices.

Clean up excess glue while it's still wet! It's so much easier to clean wet glue than to try to remove dry product. Always keep paper towels or baby wipes on

hand for easiest clean up.  Make sure that all your applicators are cleaned before putting them away.

❉ Please give good glue a chance!  All glue needs time to dry,some more than others. There is a difference between a glue's "grab" and its dry time. Grab is how well glue immediately holds onto a surface, while dry time is actually how long it takes to permanently bond surfaces together. Even though a glue may grab quickly, it may need many more hours to dry thoroughly.

❉ Store glue properly. Remember that glue has a limited  shelf life that can be prolonged with proper storage, away from temperature extremes and from direct sunlight.