Mod Podge & PVA

The world of adhesives is a vast and ever-expanding one. To stay on top of it, you have to do a lot of trial-and-error work. This can get rather expensive if you were to try it on your own. Luckily, I’ve done the work for you.

To continue with our informational series on Art Mediums, I’m going to share my opinions of them with you, starting with Mod Podge and PVA. I’ll also explain in detail the way to use these adhesives so they work the best for your project.

Mod Podge
This product has been around for ages. It can be used for a variety of projects including, but not limited to, puzzle sealing, project protecting, , textured or smooth finishing, as well as paper adhering.

This liquid adhesive goes on white and dries clear in many different finishes, such as matte or glossy. In my opinion, its best use is for decoupage.

Decoupage is done by adding a coat of Mod Podge with a foam brush to the item that is to be covered. You then add your papers in any direction, shape or form that you like. After that portion is dried, you add another coat of the Mod Podge on top of the papers to seal it. This is especially helpful if you know it will be handled frequently. It applies a protective layer and keeps the ends from peeling up. Mod Podge is a definite must-have in the altered-art world.

PVA
PVA is another product that has been around for quite a while, but doesn’t quite have the recognition it deserves. This glue looks the same as Mod Podge, but acts a little differently. PVA isn’t usually used as a sealer because it doesn’t dry quite as thick. It does, however, adhere paper to just about any surface. When used in conjunction with a brayer (mini rubber rolling pin) it will apply your papers smoothly without air bubbles. I can’t do an altered project without this product being used somewhere. It doesn’t have a very strong odor, so it can be used indoors with ease. If you prefer the “sticking power” of PVA, but also want the sealer, you can use the PVA on bottom and the Mod Podge on top--a killer combination in my opinion. Both are water based for easy cleanup.

I hope this has made your view of liquid adhesives a little bit clearer. Do some testing of your own to see how these will best serve your paper-art projects. I’m sure you’ll love the results as much as I have.