Whether you are new to diamond painting or have been there for some time, you may have heard at least a little about double-sided adhesive and pouring adhesive. These are the two most common adhesives you use on diamond canvas. What are they all about? Is one better than the other? Continue reading and we will tell you the differences!

An Overview of Adhesives

Double sided adhesive is a type of diamond painting adhesive, and manufacturers use sheet like materials - similar to double-sided adhesive, but wider to cover the canvas. Usually, you will find two or more strips of this material on the canvas to cover the entire pattern.
Pouring glue is very different. The manufacturer of this canvas will pour liquid adhesive onto the canvas, lay it on the pattern, and let it solidify to provide a sticky surface for you to place the drill bit.

How Can You Tell the Difference Between the Two?

Manufacturers should tell you what type of adhesive they use on the canvas. If they don't do this, it may indicate that they are using double-sided tape, which is considered inferior - but there will be more information on this issue below.
If the manufacturer does not list the type of adhesive, or if you ignore it, you can usually judge it by the protective layer on the canvas. The manufacturer places paper or plastic on the adhesive part of the canvas to protect it during transportation and storage. Double-sided adhesive canvases almost always have an opaque white paper covering the adhesive, while canvases poured with adhesive will have a transparent plastic film on top of the adhesive.
Another way to distinguish is by observing the edges of the painting. The poured glue usually only extends to the edge of the pattern or slightly beyond it, while double-sided adhesive may extend to a considerable distance from the edge of the pattern - when you work on it, it is likely to be stained with cotton wool and dust fragments.

Which is Better?

Most diamond painters prefer canvas with poured glue instead of double-sided adhesive for various reasons. Double sided adhesive can easily detach from the canvas, which may cause bubbles or small wrinkles, leading to diamond detachment.
Although there are ways to solve these problems - such as cutting open pores, re pressing the glue, or even completely removing the glue and replacing it with wide double-sided tape - it is still very troublesome. If bubbles or rivers form after the painting is completed, the drill bit may sit strange or pop out. At the same time, the canvas poured with glue is more elastic, and there are few cases of glue wrinkling or bubbles. Glue rivers may occur, but they never affect the canvas and its stickiness.
In addition, the poured glue is more durable and has stronger adhesion, which makes the painting more durable. It is also not affected by air or humidity, which means that you can paint the part where the glue is poured without covering it while working, without worrying about the glue becoming non sticky.
However, it is best to quickly complete double-sided adhesive painting to ensure that the adhesive surface remains as sticky as possible while you work.