Quick answer

Choose shimmer spray for an all-over, diluted sparkle on backgrounds, glossy highlights for raised, dimensional shine on small accents, and glitter paste for opaque, textured sparkle through stencils. If you want a crisp stamped image with a watercolour look, use water-soluble Aqua Markers instead of any of these finishes. None of the three replaces gilding flakes, which give a metallic leaf effect rather than glitter.

How each finish behaves on paper

Shimmer spray is a liquid mist that you apply over a finished or partially finished surface. It dries with a soft, distributed sheen rather than discrete particles, so it works best on backgrounds, large die-cut shapes, and full card panels. Because it is sprayed, it can also drift onto areas you wanted to keep matte, so mask or shield those sections first.

Glossy highlights are a dimensional medium that sits on top of the paper and dries to a raised, glass-like shine. They are applied with a fine tip or brush to specific details such as raindrops, flower centers, or lettering. The trade-off is control versus coverage: you get precision, but covering a full A2 panel with glossy highlights takes time and can leave visible brush marks.

Glitter paste is a thick, spreadable medium loaded with glitter. You push it through a stencil with a palette knife or spatula, then lift the stencil to leave a textured, sparkly pattern. It holds its shape as it dries, so it is the only one of the three that adds physical dimension as well as sparkle.

Application methods and drying

Shimmer spray needs shaking before each use and a light, sweeping pass from about 20–30 cm away. Two thin coats usually look better than one heavy coat, which can pool and warp thin paper. Let it dry flat; drying time depends on humidity, so test on scrap cardstock first.

Glossy highlights flow from the applicator and level slightly as they dry. Apply them last, after stamping and colouring, because they can smear water-based inks if you work over them too soon. A heat tool on a low setting can speed drying, but keep it moving to avoid bubbling.

Glitter paste is applied through a stencil and cleaned up immediately. Wash the stencil and tools in warm water before the paste sets. Drying time is longer than the other two because of the paste thickness, and a slightly warped panel can be flattened under a heavy book once fully dry.

Choosing a finish for stamping and colouring

If your card features a stamped focal image, decide whether the sparkle should sit behind, beside, or on top of that image. Shimmer spray works well as a background wash behind a stamped scene. Glossy highlights work on top of small stamped details. Glitter paste works best as a border, frame, or stenciled background that leaves the stamped area clear.

For watercolour-style stamped images, a water-soluble marker such as Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers gives you blendable colour without adding a separate sparkle layer. You can still add shimmer spray or glossy highlights afterwards, but test the order on scrap paper so the marker colour does not lift or bleed.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is applying shimmer spray too close, which creates blotches instead of an even sheen. Hold the bottle further away and build up light coats. Another is using glitter paste on thin paper without support; the moisture can cause buckling, so tape the paper to a craft mat or use heavier cardstock.

Glossy highlights can crack if applied too thickly on a surface that will be folded or handled roughly. Keep the layer thin and avoid applying it across a fold line. If you want a metallic rather than glittery finish, gilding flakes are a different product category entirely and need a tacky size to adhere; they are not a substitute for glitter paste.

Trade-offs at a glance

  • Shimmer spray: Gives an even, all-over sheen and covers large areas quickly, but it is hard to confine to small details and can warp thin paper if applied heavily. Best for backgrounds and full panels where a soft sparkle is wanted.
  • Glossy highlights: Delivers precise, raised shine on small accents, but it is slow to apply over large areas and can crack if layered too thickly. Best for raindrops, flower centers, and lettering where control matters.
  • Glitter paste: Creates opaque, textured sparkle through stencils and holds its shape, but it needs stencil cleanup and longer drying time than the other two. Best for borders, frames, and stenciled patterns with real dimension.
  • Water-soluble markers: Provide blendable watercolour colour without a separate sparkle layer, but they do not add shimmer or gloss on their own. Use them for the stamped image, then add a finish only if you want extra sparkle.

Products that support these finishes

  • Arden Creative Studio Premium Cardstock Canary Yellow 12" x 12" - 20 Pack: Arden Creative Studio Premium Cardstock Canary Yellow has a smooth side for stamping and detailed die-cutting and a linen-textured side for added versatility. The smooth side gives a clean surface for stamped images and glossy highlights, while the textured side can hold shimmer spray or glitter paste with a more tactile look.
  • Spectrum Noir-Aqua 12pc-Basic Primary: Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers are dual-tipped with a flexible brush and an ultra-fine tip, and their water-based dyes can be diluted and blended with water. They let you create watercolour-style stamped images without adding a separate sparkle layer, so you can reserve shimmer spray or glossy highlights for accents.
  • Arden Creative Studio Premium Cardstock Walnut Brown 12" x 12" - 20 Pack: Arden Creative Studio Premium Cardstock Walnut Brown has a smooth side and a linen-textured side, like the Canary Yellow pack. The darker tone makes shimmer spray and glossy highlights stand out as light-catching accents, while glitter paste adds contrast without needing a coloured base.
  • Crafters Companion The Great Outdoors Clear Acrylic Stamp Set - Wild Side: The Great Outdoors Clear Acrylic Stamp Set – Wild Side is a clear stamp of a cyclist, and the transparent material lets you align the design precisely. A clear stamp helps you position the image before adding shimmer spray or glitter paste around it, so the sparkle frames the stamped focal point instead of covering it.

Which finish should you choose?

Best for

  • Shimmer spray: cardmakers who want a quick, even sparkle over a full background or large die-cut shape.
  • Glossy highlights: crafters adding small, precise dimensional accents to stamped images or lettering.
  • Glitter paste: stenciled borders, frames, and textured patterns where you want sparkle and raised dimension together.
  • Water-soluble markers: watercolour-style stamped images that need blending rather than a separate sparkle layer.

Not for

  • Shimmer spray: projects that need crisp, contained sparkle on tiny details, because overspray is difficult to control.
  • Glossy highlights: covering an entire A2 panel quickly, because the application is slow and brush marks can show.
  • Glitter paste: thin paper without support, because the moisture can cause buckling.
  • Gilding flakes: anyone expecting a glitter or shimmer finish, because gilding flakes create a metallic leaf effect and need a tacky size to adhere.