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Reported by Heather Strenzwilk
Many crafters know that double sided tape rollers are a simple and fast way to adhere paper, cardstock, photos and memorabilia. Crafters simply hold the ergonomically shaped unit and pull it along the surface to be adhered. Since the adhesive is dry there is less mess and the paper won't buckle like it can with liquid glues. Acid-free versions make these a popular choice for scrapbookers, and the lightweight units are perfect for on-the-go crafting.
But with portability comes a few drawbacks:
- More expensive than liquid glues or gluesticks
- If the tape roll breaks, it can be very difficult (impossible) to rethread the unit to use the remaining tape
- Excessive "gumming" or clumping of adhesive on the mouth of the dispenser
I have been a diehard Tombow Mono Permenant Adhesive user for four years. Prior to that, I had tried a Xyron tape runner but the unit was clumsy and the tape broke often. I really like the Tombow because it laid the adhesive evenly and I've only ripped 2 rolls of tape (rendering them unusable) in all that time. Sometimes the mouth of the dispenser gets clumps (aka "boogers") but they are easily cleared with a fingernail. Overall, I was pleased and since I order 30-40 refills at a time (for a discounted price), I always have some on hand.
But the last time I needed to reorder the Tombow refills, the cheapest price per refill was nearly $1 more per refill than my previous order! The following week I found Scotch Tape Rollers by 3M on clearance at a local Staples Office Supply store. The Scotch rollers were less than half the price of the Tombow rollers, so I decided to try them.
Tombow Mono Adhesive:
- Available in removable and permanent bond varieties
- Refills available
- Tape is 1/3" x 472" (8.4mm x 12m)
- Acid free- safe for photos and scrapbooks
- Available in scrapbook, craft and office supply stores
- MSRP- $6.29 and refills $4.75
- Available in permanent bond variety only* (repositionable for a period of time before becoming permanent)
- Refills available
- Tape is .33 in x 393 in (8.4mm x 10m)
- Photo safe / Acid free
- Available in office supply stores (alternatively packaged product available in craft and scrapbook stores)
- MSRP- $6.75 and refills $5.09
- I prefered the Tombow handle to the Scotch because it was easier to hold
- The bright red Scotch unit was much easier to locate on my cluttered crafting table
- The Scotch unit skipped or missed the paper more often than the Tombow. As a result I would have to recover the bare areas. This took me more time and I felt I wasted more adhesive.
- Tombow rolls are longer than Scotch and because the Scotch skipped more, I had to replace the Scotch rolls faster.
- At times the "skipped" adhesive would cling to the mouth of the dispenser forming sticky clumps. This happened with both units but more often with Scotch. Because I didn't want to excess adhesive to leave stray marks on my project, I would stop to clean off the clumps.
- The Scotch tape is repositionable for a period of time before bonding permenantly. This was helpful for me because I often change my mind and need to move something.
- According to Tombow's customer service, their permanent adhesive sets in 5-10 seconds.
Tombow Mono Adhesive and Scotch purple Tape Runners are available at craft and scrapbook stores. Tombow and Scotch red Tape Rollers are available at office supply stores (but not always from their online storefronts.) Amazon.com offers Tombow refills for $3.19 each and a 4 pack of Tape Rollers for $11.79. Dick Blick.com offers Tombow for $4.89 (refills $3.04) and Scotch Tape Runners for $5.45 (refills $4.38).
In summary, Tombow Mono Adhesive (Permanent) is not only cheaper per inch than Scotch Tape Roller, it rolls on smoother as well. The Scotch product clumped more often but is temporarily repositionable before bonding permanently. The red packaging of the Scotch brand is more visible on a crowded craft table than the blue Tombow. The Tombow product is more widely available in retail stores and comes in both permanent and repositionable varieties. I'm going to use the rest of my Scotch Tape Rollers and then return to Tombow Mono Adhesive. Dry adhesives are one of my favorite supplies and I rate Tombow 9/10 and Scotch Tape Rollers 7.5/10.
Do you have a favorite brand of tape runner? Please share your thoughts!
35 Comments:
I totally agree, I think Tombow glues are THE best, whether just as a gluestock or a tape runner, shame people don't see through the pricing and realise they are better value for money. Tombow is pretty hard to get in the UK - I converted all my customers & now I am struggling for stockists but I'm still trying. I dont use runners any more I'm fed up of the rubbish quality & expense!
xFreddiefoofoo
Heather - I use the Tombow personally and in my workshops. I am sharing a site I found that has great pricing (much better than you quoted). Hope it helps!
http://www.discountofficeitems.com/tombow-mono-adhesive-refill-tom62202-p-13931.html?ref=g_adwords_site&source=google_general_supplies&gclid=CLH1wv3PuJcCFRJxxwodr1CIcw
Robbie
I can not go without my ATG gun, I will NEVER go back to other adhesives. The other ones seem so expensive for the amount we use. I have tried them all, but will only use my ATG gun.
I was going to post, as well, that you can find the Tombow for MUCH cheaper if you search. A bunch of friends and I always go in together on the order. This last time we got them for 1.85 a piece, though of course I don't know where it was from!
I like dotto removable for most of my scrapbooking but use the Tombow for permanent work - such as cards and board books. The best prices I found (without having to buy a lot) is at www.scrapbookpal.com - free shipping over $25 order and they are QUICK!!!
OH boy I do have thoughts on adhesive runners...I used to use Tombow and I like them. But now I use Kokuyo and I now purchase it online at ScrapbookPal.com. The refill is almost always on sale there for $3.50 and if you spend $25 you get free shipping. So I order 7 at a time. Once you use this you will never go back...lol
Great article, Catherine
Tombow is also my favorite. I have been using it for years. Truthfully I have experienced all of the same problems that you listed but feel that they are minor problems. The price is also a little steep but I am careful to use my discount coupons when I can or stock up when there is a sale. Love the link that Robbie left. I will certainly check it out. This was a great post. It was really good information for paper crafters and I appreciate the comments that others left as well.
I love Tombow. I recently purchased a Glue Glider Gun which I also use often. I have the ATG but seem to have trouble finding the refills and the Glue Glider refills are inexpensive. I buy my Tombow refills from Sams's Club.
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=144770
They are $2.28 each and shipping is included. Best deal I have found.
I was so happy to read your "cons" with the Tombow tape runner. I have the exact same frustrations, yet there isn't anything I've found that I like using better. I have a friend who is able to order the refills in large quantities and I buy them off of her for $1.90 a refill. I go through a lot of it and the shelf price is expensive.
I have been using the Pro Glue Glider. It's about you get 40 feet on a refill. It goes down smoothly. The gun it not over large in size. A great deal.
My cards i make with the tombow never stayed together, the layers kept coming off. The Kokuyo is a totally different story. It works great & i also have the ATG and it is wonderful also. I carry the Kokuyo when i go to my little group i stamp with. Everyone likes something different.
smallcity
This is a great subject for all to make comments. AND, I have a lot of thoughts around this: I've heard about a lot of other adhesives - costwise: Tombow is the best. Discount Office items web is the cheapest but you have to buy $75 for free shipping, with less than $75, each would cost $2.36/pc. ATG: Big, awkward and clumsy is how I describe it........they need to redesign the "gun". There's a smaller version out ($15) but again: refills ($8)are expensive. I saw it at a stamp show. Try tucking a ATG gun in your purse - yikes! Talk about hoarding craft room space! Business Supply web store has Tombow for $2.49, free shipping with a $40 order and sometimes a $5 off or 10% coupon on their site. Dotto: waaaay too expensive to begin with and too expensive for the refill. Other similar "Tombow" cousins don't have near the same amount but are less.........dah! So the best way is, of course, to do a group purchase at Discount Office Items but if you only have 1-2 people then Business Supply is the alternative option.
Whew, there is SO much to be said about adhesives! While Tombow is a pretty good product, over time my cards DO fall apart! That being said, I used my ATG gun at home, because it will NOT EVER fall apart! Of course, you can't reposition anything either! But man, does it HOLD! I do like Kokuyo, but it's pretty expensive. I have the new Glue Glider Pro, and it's not only CUTE, easy to refill (no threading, just pop in a new cartridge) and has a VARIETY of adhesive cartridges that can go into the handle! I looks like an ATG gun, only a "baby"! Perfectly awesome! I've tried the Elmer's dispenser(skips too much); and the new glue dot dispensers~~they are GREAT! It's much easier using dots that you don't have to locate on the roll or sheet...
So good luck everyone...but if you're game, try the new Glue Glider Pro~~it's really neat, and does a good job, too! Currently available at www.ritzcamera.com for $10.35/limited time! you can find other retailers doing a google search.
Mono adhesive made by Tombow is certainly my favorite. If you buy from a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, you have a company guarantee for the quality, so if it breaks you may have it replaced at no cost within 90 days. Stampin' Up!'s version is made by Tombow and is called Snail Adhesive. Love it!
I think I've tried every adhesive out there and always come back to SNAIL.
(In the interests of full disclosure I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator...which either makes me an expert or biased. LOL!)
Kathleen Innes
www.stampjourney.com
I still use the Tombow and like it quite a bit. If you have a Sam's Club membership you can buy it online for a really decent price (less then $2.50 a refill). There is also quite a few other sites that sell it at discounts for large quantity orders. I know a lot of people swear by the ATG gun, but I'm not ready to go that route yet, so until then, I love my Mono! :)
I swear by my ATG gun. Love it, love it, love it.
I've used some others before. I was a dedicated CM runner. I tried the scotch and really disliked it.
The glue glider pro is my clear favourite. For ease of use, lack of 'boogers' and super holding power. The only drawback is the price but for me it is worth it because you only need a tiny bit cause it ain't movin'! Even layers with lots of embellishments stay on with two or three tabs (1/16" strips cuts in the tape) in each corner, even if the layers are not perfectly even because ribbon is tucked under. I used to add glue dots in the corners near the ribbon, not anymore! Lesser glues are OK for scrapbooking as the pages are protected by a clear plastic sheet and not handled. But cards are handled both by the recipient and the not-so-gentle postal service! One other con I remembered, the repostionable adhesive is wimpy! I suppose another con might be the same as a pro; the fabulous holding power can work against you if your layers are crooked. I have lifted a layer off immediately after applying but don't try this after about 1-2 minutes or on fragile papers like vintage or handmade papers.
I forgot another couple of glue glider pro (GGP)advantages. It is lightweight and ergonomic. I haven't used the ATG but I hear it is too heavy for gals with arthritis (me!). GGP is also really cute and the bright pink and lime help me find it on my desk. The adhesive flows smoothly off the roll with very little pressure, again great for those whose hands are not strong. Kids would have a blast with it but must be cautioned against using too much. The GGP clicks slightly as you pull back. Most of the time, pulling back until you hear a click dispenses 2-3 tabs of adhesive, occassionally only one tab dispenses but I haven't found any layer to lift off with only one tab; it is that strong!. Perfect for each corner of a layer with maybe an additional click in the center of a larger layer. As someone else mentioned, the adhesive inserts/refills are extremely easy to replace or swap out for other types.
I've tried several different brands and still prefer Tombow over all of them! I first got this at a Stampin' Up party, but was so excited to find the refills at various craft stores in the area, so I didn't have to wait to have one shipped.
I used the Tombow for many years, but found some of my projects are falling apart. After time the adhesive looses its stick :(
I then purchased the ATG gun and LOVE it!! It is big, but I only scrap/craft at home so the size is not a big deal to me, because it sticks and there is no turning back, you have to rip something to remove it.
Recently the owner of my local scrabook store suggested the Kokuyo and that it sticks much better than the Tombow.
Since using my ATG, I can't imagine EVER using any other tape runner. I love the convenience of not having to change rolls after a couple of layouts! And it's so much more cost effective!
http://www.framingsupplies.com/3M/ScrapbookersTapeGunsandTapesPage.htm
This is the cheapest place that I've found to buy both ATG guns and refills. Refills are $3.50 on this site, and cheaper if you buy more than 11.
I love the Tombow as well-- I just wish adhesives weren't so expensive!!
I've used the Mono roller for a long time too. Although I also have a variety of options to coose from in the drawer. Funny thing is, I've noticed that some cards I've been holding on to (for maybe 6 months) are starting to fall apart! I've never had that problem with xyron.....
Another pro of the Tombow is the ease of re-loading the refills. I haven't used the Scotch, so don't know what the situation is there, but one thing I always disliked about the Hermafix was how tricky it was to re-load.
Every type of tape runner has passed through my hands. I like everything about the Tombow EXCEPT that it just doesn't hold. Go back to a project a couple months later and it falls apart. So now I'm using the ATG gun. Sticks better, lasts way longer, 1/2 the price per roll. It's a bit cumbersome for small pieces of paper, but I can forgive it that.
I use a tape runner from the Duck company. They are the same company that makes Duck Duct tape. Try saying that 3 times fast! I get mine at walmart and they are not refillable. They cost about $10 for a package of 4 so they are relatively cheap.
I like Irene use the little red ones made by Duck. They stick good and are repositionable for a while. Nothing falls apart and if you have a coupon or catch them on sale at JoAnn's for 40% off for the 4 pack, they're quite a deal. Never used Tombow and the ATG gun just seems ridiculously huge for my small hands. I've used many others including the CM ones and I'll never go back. I love my Duck Tape Runners.
Oh my, adhesives have been a sore point with me for a long time. I've tried many different kinds and got tired of the expense. And no matter how careful I was, I'd always end up with broken tape, skipping, etc. I discovered Memory Tape Runner XL and it was a joy to use--never skipped, never broke and refills were reasonably-priced.
Then, I broke down and finally bought the Scotch ATG gun and a box of Gold tape refills. Wow! Compared to runner tapes, this baby packs a lot of tape per roll and the refills ended up cheaper. Glides on smoothly (just takes a bit of practice in the beginning) and I've even done a complete 12x12 album with approx. 70 layouts (I kid you not) before I had to refill.
I'm definitely an ATG fan.
I use the Duck ones too. They've worked so far for me. I only use the adhesive sparingly though, for harder to glue things like ribbon. Otherwise, when just gluing paper together, the Scotch quick dry adhesive has been working well for me.
I think it's great you did a review on the different types of adhesives. I actually came to this site to look if there was a review on the Tombow tape runner. I definitely love my tombow. I'm going to see if I can find where I can buy them in bulk as well. I tend to buy at least 4 whenever I hit the stores just to keep my stock full.
I really like the Tombow although I prefer the dots. I really like how easy it is to replace the rolls and I don't have a lot of trouble with it getting sticky on the mouth. I've used Herma and although I like it, it gets so clumped up and after awhile it's impossible to use. Thanks for this review, it was very helpful.
Anyone who says the ATG is too heavy hasn't used it. A little bulky, yes, but it is so light weight, glides on smoothly, and once you see how long a roll of tape lasts you will never go back! I am a SU demo and wish we would sell these because I am never going back to anything else for everyday adhesive. I second the previous mention of framingsupplies.com for the best price.
Thank you for this (a year later!) -- it was just the information I needed as I was looking to buy my first crafting tape roller. I'd picked out a Tombow and this, um...seals...the deal. :-)
I have used Tombow for years, but am frustrated because it strings and clumps a lot... so I am finally in the market to try something different!
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