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Sticky tack is a gummy adhesive used to hold posters and other lightweight items in place on walls and other surfaces. You can buy packages of sticky tack, but it's just as easy (and much cheaper) to make your own using ingredients you probably have lying around the house. See Step 1 to learn how to make sticky tack using an old glue stick or white glue and liquid starch.
Steps
Using a Glue Stick
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1Find an old glue stick. You want one that has some glue left that's too dry to spread. If you want, you can use a brand new glue stick.[1] Just let it sit without its cap for a few days so it can dry out and become more tacky. Don't try this with a new glue stick that's still spreadable. The sticky tack will be too sticky, and it could glue your pictures to the wall instead of temporarily adhering them there, like sticky tack does.
To quickly dry out a glue stick, remove the glue from the plastic stick and put it in an oven-safe container. Cook it in the oven at a very low temperature for an hour or so, until it's dry enough that it doesn't feel sticky to the touch. Be careful when you're handling the hot pan and glue.
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2Roll and stretch the glue. Place it between your palms and roll it around, smoosh it, and form it into a ball, then stretch it out.[2] This will help it dry out a little more and create the right texture for sticky tack.
- If it's not quite dry, sprinkle a little baby powder onto the glue ball and work it in. The powder will absorb the remaining moisture.
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3Color the sticky tack. Take a marker (preferably blue, the color of real sticky tack) and color the sticky tack.[3] Any type of marker or ink will do. Add a few drops of color, then roll and stretch the glue ball to mix the color in. Wear gloves when coloring the sticky tack to protect your hands from getting stained. Keep adding more color and mixing it in until you're happy with the way it looks.
- If you're concerned that the sticky tack could leave marks on your pictures, you don't have to add color. Just use the sticky tack as is. It'll work just as well!
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4Enjoy your homemade sticky tack. Take a pinch and stick it to the back of your pictures, posters, and other lightweight items, then press the items against the wall.[4] When you're ready to take them down, the sticky tack will peel right off.
Using White Glue and Liquid Starch
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1Measure out your glue and starch. You'll need 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of white glue (also called school glue) and 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of liquid starch, the kind that's used to starch shirts. These ingredients will give you a small batch of sticky tack. If you want a larger batch, just remember to use the ratio of 2 parts glue and 1 part starch.
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2Mix the glue and starch. Put them in a container and use a spoon to mix them together. The mixture will immediately begin to stiffen, due to the interaction between the glue and starch. Soon it will form the consistency of sticky tack.
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3Add a few drops of food coloring. Use blue or another fun color to color your sticky tack if you'd like. Add just a few drops, since a little goes a long way. Stir it in so that the ball of sticky tack gets thoroughly colored.
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4Knead it with your hands. Scoop the sticky tack into your hands and knead it so that it becomes firm, but pliable. If you think it feels a little sticky, work in a little more starch. If it's too dry to stick, add a bit more glue. Keep working the sticky tack until it reaches the consistency you want.
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5Use or store the sticky tack. Pinch of a few small pieces to hang a poster or picture. You can store the sticky tack you don't use in an airtight jar or another container. If it gets a little dry before you use it again, you can add more glue and work it in with your hands to achieve the right texture again.
Community Q&A
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QuestionAre there any recipes without glue?
Community AnswerIf you don't want to use glue, you can use flour and water instead. It works well from my experience. -
QuestionIf I don't want to use flour, can I use a glue stick?
Community AnswerOf course! This is literally what the method above is. Just make sure you don't put it with water, or it will be too sticky and runny. -
QuestionWhat do I do when it is really sticky?
Community AnswerPut it in the freezer for a few minutes. If it comes out too hard to stretch, run it under water while stretching it.
Warnings
- You must stretch and roll it out every once in a while or it will become too dry and fail.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
About This Article
You can make your own sticky tack for hanging up posters and other items on your walls using white glue and liquid starch. Just add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of white glue and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of liquid starch to a bowl. If you want to make a large batch of sticky tack, you can use more glue and liquid starch—just make sure you always use 2 parts glue and 1 part starch. Stir the glue and starch together so it thickens, and add a few drops of food coloring if you want colored sticky tack. Continue stirring until the mixture forms the consistency of sticky tack. Finally, knead the sticky tack with your hands until it’s firm but pliable. Store any that you’re not using in an airtight container. If you want to learn how to add coloring to your sticky tack, keep reading the article!
