We now carry three different varieties of transparent double-stick tape. My curiousity got the best of me - are there differences between these manufacturers and if so what are the differences? As I thought about this project I decided I should also compare the two different microfine glitters that we carry.
When you have lots of little glitter samples one must then create a card using those samples - right?!? I have been "eyeing" these fabulous little glasses and I couldn't resist the play on words - LOL!
To begin I adhered three different varieties of transparent double-sided tape to a sheet of Neenah cardstock.
Each manufacturer carries different sizes - see the following:
- 8 1/2x11 sheets (5 sheets per pkg)
- 115mm or 4 1/2" x 27 yard rolls (approximate measurement)
- 65mm or 2 1/2" x 27 yard rolls (approximate measurement)
- 40mm or 1 1/2" x 27 yard rolls (approximate measurement)
- 25mm or 1" x 27" yard rolls (approximate measurement)
- 15mm or .6" x 27" yard rolls (approximate measurement)
- 12mm or 1/2" x 27" yard rolls (approximate measurement)
- 7mm or .28" x 27" yard rolls (approximate measurement)
- 5mm or 1/4" x 27" yard rolls (approximate measurement)
- 3mm or 1/8" x 27" yard rolls (approximate measurement)
X-Press High Tack:
- 8 1/2x11 sheets (25 sheets per pkg) This item is expected to arrive around April 8th.
- 1/2" x 55 yards
- 1/4" x 55 yards
- 1/8" x 55 yards
Elizabeth Craft Designs Transparent Double-Sided Adhesive:
- 8 1/2" x 11" sheets (5 sheets per pkg)
- 6" x 6" sheets (5 sheets per pkg)
- 5" x 12" sheets (5 sheets per pkg)
When I removed the backing from the tape I could see a slight difference in the coloration of the tape. As you can see from the photo the X-Press was the most transparent with the Be Creative having a very slight cream tinge and the Elizabeth Craft Designs an ever so slightly stronger cream color.
When applying colored opaque glitter to the different tapes there was no apparent difference between the adhesives as you can see in the photo above. The top row is Elizabeth Craft Vintage Pink and the bottom row is Glitter Ritz Pink.
There is a difference in the tape selection when applying white, warm and cool transparent glitters! As you can see from the samples the color of the tape effects the end color tone of the sample.
I also discovered when doing these tests that the White glitters are truly not opaque and not nearly as sparkly as the transparent cool and warm glitters. Elizabeth Crafts White Glitter is suede-like in apperance with very little sparkle. Glitter Ritz is a slightly courser grind and therefore contains a tiny amount of sheen or sparkle.
The opacity is more apparent when looking at the patterned paper samples on the right. As you can see the Glitter Ritz White is more transparent than the Elizabeth Craft Designs White and the Elizabeth Craft Designs White is cooler in tone.
When comparing the cool and warm transparent glitters the difference, if any, is subtle.
The colored opaque glitters truly are opaque as you can see in the photo above.
Following are other comparisons between the two microfine glitters we carry.
Glitter Ritz by In the Making:
- 62 colors (includes the two transparent glitters - warm and cool highlights)
- slightly grainer or courser texture
- white is more transparent and slightly creamer in color
Elizabeth Craft Designs Silk Microfine Glitter:
- 40 colors (Iincludes the two transparent glitters - warm and cool diamond. Warm and cool diamond are also available in two sizes - 1/2oz and 1oz)
- slightly finer grit
- white is more opaque and suede-like in appearance
Following are colors that are similar between the two lines - dye lots do vary on the glitter (Glitter Ritz color/Elizabeth Craft Designs color):
- 31 Black/601 Basic Black
- 1 Silver/603 Silver
- 33 White/604 White
- 71 Stardust/605 Antique Silver
- 7 Cinnamon/606 Antique Gold
- 101 Java Bean/607 Chocolate
- 97 Latte/608 Champagne Gold
- 90 Spice Brown/610 Copper
- 9 Apricot/611 Rust
- 8 Orange/613 Orange
- 34 Fire Red/614 True Red
- 12 Burgundy/615 Ruby
- 19 Rose Copper/616 Peony Pink
- 15 Fuchsia/619 Fuchsia
- 17 Lavender/620 Lavender
- 16 Purple/621 Amethyst
- 44 Deep Purple/622 Blue Purple
- 25 Canadian Blue/623 Royal Blue
- 27 Royal Blue/624 Bluebell
- 93 Peacock Blue/625 Sky
- 42 Navy/627 Deep Turquoise
- 30 Sky Blue/629 Soft Teal
- 103 Empire Green/630 Regal Green
- 74 Grasshopper/631 Soft Green
- 23 Moss Green/633 Forest Green
- 24 Chartreuse/634 Leaf Green
- 75 Peridot/635 Spring Peridot
- 95 Yellow/636 Yellow
- 35 Dark Gold/638 Solar Gold
- Warm Highlight/639 and 640 Warm Diamond
- Cool Highlight 641 and 642 Cool Diamond
Print your sentiment on a sheet of copy paper and use a light box to locate the designer paper. Use washi tape to hold the designer paper in place and send through the printer again.
You will have a perfectly placed sentiment for your project.
Place strips of washi tape on a self-healing cutting pad and use the Tim Holtz design ruler (it has a metal edge) and a Fingertip Knife to cut the washi tape in half to scale it to the perfect size for a card front.
Viva Decor Paper Pens allow you to create your own "enamel dots" in various sizes. If you squeeze the liquid out of the pen and allow it to dry you will achieve beautiful little pearl-like mounds. If you prefer a flatter look simply tap the bottom of your project with your finger (use a pretty snappy tap) and the mound will spread. I did notice that when the little mounds that I tapped dried they had a little dent right in the center so I will need to test this idea further, but thought I would share as it will be so fun to experiment with these!
Cut your "spectacles" from the pink glitter covered Neenah cardstock and add two little Viva Decor enamel dots to your glasses.
Use your washi tape strips to quilt your patterned paper pieces and adhere to your cardfront. If you would like this cardfront to be permanent be certain to use a permanent adhesive such as your ATG tape runner or Glue Glider.
Thank you for joining me today as we explored the different varieties of adhesive and glitter - I hope this comparison comes in handy for you as you add to your stash!
