Quick Answer
Choose craft magnets when you need a reusable, repositionable closure or interactive element; choose adhesive for a permanent, invisible bond that won't add bulk.
Permanence vs Flexibility
Adhesive creates a permanent bond that is ideal for attaching gems, crystals, and paper layers where you want everything to stay put. Once dry, the bond is fixed and cannot be undone without damaging the materials.
Craft magnets, on the other hand, offer flexibility. They allow you to open and close flaps, swap out interchangeable elements, or create moving parts in cards and books. The trade-off is that magnets add visible bulk and require careful alignment.
Application and Precision
Applying adhesive is straightforward: a small dot from a precision tip, position the item, and let it set. The extra-fine tip on a gem adhesive makes it easy to place tiny embellishments exactly where you want them without smudging.
Using craft magnets requires planning. You need to embed or attach them so they align perfectly with their counterpart. They work best when combined with adhesive to hold them in place, so you often end up using both methods together.
Trade-Offs at a Glance
- Craft Magnets: Best for reusable closures, interactive elements, and interchangeable parts. Requires adhesive to secure the magnet itself and needs precise alignment. Plan your magnet placement before gluing to avoid misalignment.
- Gem Adhesive: Best for permanently attaching small embellishments like gems, crystals, and pearls. Dries clear and allows precise placement with its fine tip. Apply a tiny amount to prevent excess glue from seeping around the edges.
- Using Both Together: For projects like magnetic card clasps or interactive book pages, use adhesive to fix the magnet in place, then let the magnet do the work of opening and closing. Allow adhesive to fully cure before testing the magnet's hold.
Product Facts
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Crafter's Companion - 12mm Craft Magnets (16PC): These 12mm disc magnets offer strong hold in a compact size and are supplied in a pack of 16. They are ideal for creating secure, reusable closures on envelopes, flaps, and memory books without needing a separate fastener.
Crafter's Companion - 12mm Craft Magnets (16PC)
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Gem Adhesive 20ml: This Gem Adhesive features an extra-fine tip for accurate, smudge-free application and dries clear. It allows you to precisely place small gems and crystals on cards and papercraft without visible residue, giving a clean, professional finish.
Gem Adhesive 20ml
Which Should You Choose?
Best For
- Card makers who want to add a functional, reusable closure or interactive element
- Papercrafters who need a permanent, invisible bond for small embellishments
Not For
- Projects requiring a completely flat, invisible finish (choose adhesive)
- Situations where you need to frequently reposition or remove a component (choose magnets)
