Art and craft are time-consuming, yet fanatics wouldn’t mind spending an entire day on them. And specific tasks become the highlight of your craft project. Paper mache is one such amusing step.
When it comes to paper mache paste, you generally have two options: white glue or flour. Although both are fine to use, the latter isn’t recommended if you or your kids are gluten intolerant.
On the other hand, for both kids and adults, glue is my firm favorite for creating your own homemade paper mache paste. However, it takes a particular combination of each component to prepare the correct paste for this crafting technique.
What is that combination? How to prepare the most robust paper mache paste? Read on as I try to answer such questions through this article.
Related: Paper Mache Mask Ideas: 5 Ideas For All Levels
Table of Contents
Can You Paper Mache With Just Glue?
Yes, you can paper mache with just glue. The best part about making crafts out of paper mache is that you don’t need additional supplies—you likely already have everything you need at home, even though there are many different ways to make paper mache paste.
The most accessible calls only for some old paper, water, and standard white glue.
Read on as I share a quick paper mache with a regular PVA glue recipe.
How To Make Paper Mache With PVA Glue?
Two materials are required for every paper mache project: old paper (preferably newspaper) and glue. Nowadays, ready-made paper mache paste/mixtures are also available online that dries hard.
A paper mache craft benefits significantly from using PVA glue, sometimes referred to as plain white school glue. When dry, it becomes clear and forms a solid bond.
When working with kids, you must always take safety precautions. PVA is gluten-free, whereas flour is not. So, if a gluten-sensitive child licks even a tiny amount of flour-based paper mache paste accidentally, they might get stomach trouble.
Thus, paper mache with PVA glue is a safer and more practical alternative.
Using PVA glue to make paper mache:
- It’s necessary to thin the PVA glue until it’s runny.
- To begin, add some glue to a shallow paper dish or a pie pan made of foil.
- Depending on the scope of your project, you may need more or less, but you may start with a few teaspoons.
- Use a paintbrush or wooden whisk to combine the two ingredients after adding a few teaspoons of water.
- When the adhesive resembles light cream in consistency, gradually add more water. The optimal ratio for the glue to water is often 2:1.
You’ll need to rush after making your glue and water mixture to prevent the glue from drying. For best results and to avoid unnecessary trouble, always work with small amounts of water and adhesive at once.
Tip: Creating a fresh mixture of glue and water is recommended every time you get to work. If you prepare a huge batch and store it for the future, the mixture may thicken extensively, making your efforts in vain.
How To Make Paper Mache With Glue And Newspaper?
If you want to make paper mache with your regular white glue and newspaper strips, here are the materials required and the steps to follow.
Material required:
- PVA craft glue
- Water
- Lots of old newspapers
- Paint (as required)
Once you’ve gathered the above stuff, follow these steps.
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Prepare The Mixture/Paste
To prepare your paper mache paste or mixture, use 1 part PVA craft glue with 2 parts water. Note that it’s not necessary to weigh your materials precisely. It’s acceptable to do this by sight.
But a general rule of thumb is 2 parts water and 1 part PVA glue.
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Shred Your Old Newspaper
Instead of cutting the newspaper, which most of you must be doing, shred it into strips. Why? Strips are easier to handle with glue than pieces. Also, the strips lie more smoothly on any surface.
Based on the scale of your project, the length of your strips may vary; generally, you should aim for strips that are between 1 and 2 inches broad.
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Dip The Strips
Next, dip the above newspaper strips into the paper mache mixture one at a time. Ensure the newspaper strips are thoroughly soaked.
To remove any extra paste, squeeze it through your fingertips while holding the wet strip over the paste basin.
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Apply Over Your Base
With your fingertips, smooth the newspaper strip over your shape after pasting it there. Place a layer of the soaked newspaper strips on top of the form, covering it all.
They need to be moving in opposite directions and crossing each other. Allow the first coat to dry thoroughly before adding another. Depending on the temperature and humidity, it may take up to 24 hours.
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Add More Layers
Spread the second layer of newspaper strips after the first one has dried thoroughly, then let it dry. You must have at least three layers of paper strips, but you can repeat this procedure until you achieve the desired appearance.
Reminder, allow each layer to dry thoroughly once more.
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It’s Time To Decorate
When all the paper mache layers have been applied and dried, your art piece is ready to be painted, embellished, and proudly displayed.
Tip: Try bright paints and use varnish to protect your artwork.
Best Glue For Paper Mache – Elmer’s E1321 Glue-All Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue
All my handmade crafts, which I also utilize for other purposes apart from décor, often contain Elmer’s E1321 multi-purpose glue. Not just me, but a few of my friends, too, appreciate how well it holds their craft and how effective it is.
Thus, I’d also recommend Elmer E1321 to you. And it’s unquestionably affordable and worth the price.
Elmer’s glue-All is sold in squeeze bottles made of BPA-free plastic with twist-open applicator lids. Its ingredients include Aqueous Emulsifying Polyvinyl Acetate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, and Propylene Glycol.
The typical materials that can be effectively bonded with this glue are fabric, paper, and wood.
Benefits of Elmer’s E1321 glue:
- It comes in a variety of sizes
- The solution is safe, non-toxic, and quick drying.
- It dries without leaving any residue.
- The glue bonds to leather, pottery, paper, fabric, and more.
- It’s ideal for crafts, restoration, and handicrafts. Besides, you can use it in the garage, den, workshop, and kitchen.
- Anyone who’s three years old and up can work with the glue.
Note: Depending on the air’s temperature and relative humidity, this white glue sets and dries between 30 minutes and an hour. The full cure takes 24 hours.
Elmer’s liquid glue is nontoxic, washable, and safe, making it easy to create crafts and paper mache at home.
BONUS!!!
Elmer’s Glue Paper Mache Recipe
Since most of you have asked for Elmer’s glue paper mache recipe, here you go.
Things You’ll Need
- A container of Elmer’s white school glue (you can also buy bigger gallons of white glue for big groups, but ensure it’s fluid!)
- Warm water (check if it’s hot enough for you to dip your fingers into)
- A few bowls or other containers to hold the entire mixture
Note: Don’t use your beloved mixing bowls if you’re trying this at home because the glue will probably leave stickiness on the containers.
- Mix 1/4 cup of water with 3/4 cup of liquid glue.
This recipe may need to be doubled or tripled when working on a more significant project or with more pupils.
- You may take some steps if the glue seems too runny or not flowing as it should. The consistency matters a lot here. So, try to be perfect with this.
- Make an effort to harmonize your glue by using various ratios of each ingredient. Repeat these steps up until the required consistency is achieved.
- Ensure each paper scrap is mixed with glue and not overly burdened. Drop your paper pieces into the glue.
- As you do this, apply it onto the target frame one strip at a time, molding it into the desired shape.
- Use light materials while creating the framework for your paper mache creation, such as thin wire, a blown-up balloon, or flat cardboard.
Conclusion
So, here you go. You may use your paper mache abilities to make a variety of lovely products, making it an excellent hobby for adults and kids. As a result, it’s one of the best methods to strengthen your bond with your child or keep your students occupied. Just be sure to pick the appropriate glue for your creative endeavors, particularly for your paper mache with PVA glue arts and crafts.
How To Make Paper Mache With Glue (FAQs)
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How Much Water Do I Mix With Glue For Paper Mache?
Ans: If it’s white glue, I mix stacked paper mache with around 1 part glue and 1 part water. Further, I prefer approximately 1 part glue to 2 parts water for “mashed” paper mache that I want to drop.
For paper mache, the proportion of adhesive to water is 1 part glue to 3 parts water.
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Can I Use Elmer’s Glue For The Paper Mache?
Ans: You can use Elmer’s glue for the paper mache. Use Elmer’s Glue-All (or any white PVA glue) diluted with just a little water to make it smoother and more straightforward to distribute if you require a paste that dries crystal clear.
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How To Make Paper Mache Without Glue?
Ans: To make a paper mache without glue, add a cup and a half of water to a pot. Transfer the pot to the flame and let the water boil for some time. In another bowl, combine 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup cold water, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. To make a thin paste, thoroughly combine them.
Next, add the flour mixture to the boiling water and stir for 5 minutes. When this mixture thickens, turn off the burner and keep stirring.
Allow the thick paste to rest on the pan until it is cold enough to touch after it has formed.
Your paper mache paste is ready for use as soon as it reaches room temperature! For the smoothest coating, apply it with a paintbrush to your paper mâché creation. Please don’t bother about reheating it unless it is too thick to use.
