Best Adhesive Roller?

In your opinion, what is the best adhesive roller? I've used 2 different ones that unfortunately stopped working soon after purchasing.

Thanks!

Kathy

Editors Note: You can view a wide variety of adhesive rollers and read reviews from verified customers here.

I love the ATG...there is a learning curve but once you've got it--you've got it!!!! LOL

Another vote for the ATG.

You will get a lot of votes for the ATG. Personally, I hate the ATG, but a tape runner is a highly personal opinion. For at least ten years I've used the Tombow tape runner, and I love it, have never had a problem with it and can buy refills extremely cheaply from an online discount office supply.

1. ATG

2. Duck brand adhesive in the red thingie

I don't like the ATG, but I know I'm in the minority. I love Tombow products.

Welcome to the minority, Cindy! We may be the only two scrappers in the world that don't like the ATG.

I like the ATG as well, but held out for a very long time, years. Finally got one and have used nothing since ( I've had it a couple years now).
I was worried about its size but turned out not to be an issue. Price wise I think it's the best deal.

ATG's are space hogs, at least you know where they are.
When it has to stick I use Scor Tape. Otherwise I just get whatever is cheap in the bargain bin. I do want the dotted kind tho.

ATG ATG ATG....I just with I had a way of hanging it up instead of laying around on my table. Lol. Wear it as a necklace?

For larger things I have finally broken down and bought the Scotch ATG. However as a lefty it is a love/hate relationship. The adhesion is great, cost effective and goes on smooth. I am still getting used to the weight, lack of vision (again a lefty) and not so great with thin, small or tight spaces that need just a bit extra.

I then use the smaller scotch tape runners. I tend to go with scotch since they have been in the adhesive business for quite a while.

My one cautionary tale avoid the glue glider pro. its smaller than the ATG and it seems like a good compromise but I had problems with several of their cartridge sticking on themselves or just breaking. I loved it until I went through three replacements in a matter of minutes, all bad. bought a couple more from a different place, those two were bad. I contacted the company whose was response was oh that is disappointing but offered nothing. My LSS will not carry it to many returns.

Thanks so much everyone!

Kathy

Hey minority ATGers! Would love to know what you DONT like about it! I have a folding stand for mine so its so convenient...and I found 60 YARD rolls so I don't have to change it often!!!

I don't like it because 1) it's too big, I have very small hands and find it hard to manuever, 2) I'm left handed and the way it is made, a lefty doesn't have a clear view where it is laying adhesive, 3) it is a royal pain in the patootie to reload when it does run out, 4) another it's too big, it takes up way too much space on my very limited cafting table.

I love my ATG! Easy to use. Very minimal learning curve. Very easy to find in my scrap mess. Cheap refills that last for a loooong time. It is big, but I don't even notice the size anymore.

I'm a righty, which helps. I've watched Cindy (a lefty) use my ATG. It's not made for lefties at all.

Another vote for the ATG from someone who held out for a long time. I was worried about the size too, but even with a small craft table, I found it didn't bother me.

I'm an ambie so the hand didn't bother me. I tried using it with my left hand and will admit it was a pain seeing where the adhesive line went, but I did manage it. Just slower. I have no problem reloading it.

There needs to be a tool company that caters to the unique needs crafter. I.e. Left handers, arthritis, any disability that hinders hand strength etc.

I feel like my potential as a crafter is limited being left handed. Spending my life having to adapt to things is starting to make me grumpy.

I'm probably considerably older than you, by my guess, so I've had a lot more years to be grumpy about being a lefty in a righty world. It truly sucks! Over the years I've met many lefties that adapted easily, I always call them part-time lefties, lol. Then there are those like me, I'm 100% lefty, I think I even dream left-handed, lol. I've always wondered over the years so many great strides in technology and inventions, then why can't any of these geniuses come up with something to make life easier for lefties?

Well if you that much of a lefty then you are the only one here in their right brain. hehehehehe!

I agree that with the newer technology it should be easier to make left handed tools on the manufacturing end. I am thankful for electronic cutters.

Hi Kathy I have been scrapping for 17 years & not one thing has ever fallen off my pages I love using them It is scrapbook adhesives brand. They have little strips, squares, removable dots, photo tape, photo corners. & other items I started with Creative Memories. They got theirs adhesive from the same company that scrapbook adhesives brand does They are very easy to use & are a good price I have an ATG but I never use it for my pictures or paper because it sticks so fast & you can't remove it if you do not place it exactly. It adds stress to my scrapping which I do not want lol I do move my stuff when I am doing it I use the strips for my pics & papers etc I use the removable a lot I also use the t he photo tape with ribbon I also use their photo corners
They have the photo tape in small red tape dispensers too

Darla and Jill, check out the Anything Left Handed site. It's British but they ship to the US. I just checked and they don't do an ATG, but they do loads of other useful stuff. I've bought from them before. Also, why don't you contact 3M/Scotch direct and let them know about the demand for a leftie ATG? If nobody asks them, they'll never know.

I must be a part-time lefty!! I love my ATG , I have been using it for 5 years and while I do not have a clear view of where the tape will go when applying, over the years I have adapted!! I often get refills for 40% off and keep a supply of them on hand. I find it very cost effective but then I don't adhere every square edge of each layer! It takes only seconds to change the tape.
I must admit I had a hard time with the squeeze to run the tape and release the trigger to stop (shrug) but once I got it down there was no turning back!! I like the fact it is "big", I have a hard time losing it on my table!

I found a place where I buy ATG tape in volume - the actual Scotch brand. I buy 48 boxes at a time which is 96 rolls so I don't have to buy it too often.

I was timed at a crop to see how fast I could change it - so simple. Takes me 9 seconds when the stopwatch was going. Everyone at the crop hands me there and I change it because I think it is so easy. The arrows are on the plastic so its just follow the arrows!

For as long as I've been a member on this site, the majority of people have been praising the ATG to the heavens and beyond. I think it's wonderful for the company that makes it that so many people love it, otherwise they'd go out of business, lol.
But I've tried, I've really truly tried to love it, or even like it, and I just don't. I don't like big and bulky, I don't like something that feels too big for my grip therefore making me feel I have no control over it, I don't like not being able to see the track of adhesive, and I don't like having to master a "learning curve" just to reload the darn thing. When I'm in my scraproom, either making cards or scrapbooking or working on any other project, that is my relaxation. I don't need anything that is going to add to my stress level from my work day. The Tombow tape runner I have used for years fits my hand really well, it doesn't matter if you're lefty or righty, you have a clear view of the adhesive track, it doesn't take up much space on my craft table, and it takes less than one second to pop off the used roll and pop on the new one. I buy the refills in bulk from a discount office supply site, I go in with several local friends so we can place a larger order and get a deeper discount, so the refills end up costing only about fifty-nine cents apiece.
I've also watched for years as ATG lovers try their level best to convert everyone else to their way of thinking. Sorry, y'all, I try to never say never, so I'll say it's extremely doubtful that you'll ever make a convert out of me. Maybe the day after you-know-where freezes over, but not before, LOL!

• chocolateaxel Said:

So when people ask opinions about the best adhesive roller (as they do several times per page) do we have to remember to say "not you Darla, and not for lefties" as we're enthusing about the ATG? I'm not going to stop extolling its virtues, I'm afraid. I used to be one of the unconvinced - it was years until I tried it for myself, then I wished I'd got one sooner. I would hate a newbie not to have the opportunity to try it, just because I had not put my twopennyworth in. Of course pretty much all these tools are not going to suit everyone, and the ATG is definitely not designed with the leftie in mind. But to me, it's a big asset.

I love to use different adhesive rollers for different projects. Before getting the beloved ATGs (I have more than one) I used the Glue Gilder Pro and I still use it for repositional adhesive. I like the small runners for DT projects or cards I know people will not appreciate

LOL, Ms Rosey! I know probably the majority of people who have tried the ATG love it, and there's probably a lot of merit to it's benefits. Everyone should try whatever is available and see what works best for them. But I have had people practically shove the ATG down my throat, trying to force me to like it as much as they do. I've tried it and tried it, and it just doesn't work for me. That's all I'm saying. Everyone should definitely promote whatever they love and works best for them, but there are a select few who don't seem to grasp that not everything is perfect for everyone. I usually avoid the threads asking about the best tape runner because I've seen some users get close to rabid if someone doesn't love the ATG. But if all a newbie sees as answers is ATG and they try it and for whatever reason it doesn't suit them, then do they feel like a failure and stop trying new things?

I was on the fence for a long time because I did not think I would like a big, bulky tape runner like the ATG. But once I caved and bought one, I loved it.

It does have a small learning curve and it is really hard the first few times to open it to change the roll. It has a big footprint which means (a) it takes up a lot of space but (b) it's really easy to find!

Before I switched to the ATG, I preferred Tombow. Great tape runners. I also like Scrapbook Adhesives.

I'm not a leftie but I decided to go ahead and email 3M anyway and ask if they had any plans to produce a leftie model for the ATG. That was maybe 3 hours ago and I already got a reply:

Thank you for contacting 3M where we Apply Science to Life. I'm sorry, we do not have plans to produce a left-handed ATG applicator. However, we do get requests from time-to-time, and then I forward them to the ATG team so they know there is an interest. Thank you for taking the time to let us know you would be interested in a left-handed model.


Regards,



Barb S.
3M Customer Contact Center
Product and Application Support
Industrial Business

• chocolateaxel Said:

I'm such a grump about being a lefty in a right-handed world that I scrapped AND blogged about it!

http://www.cindyderosier.com/2013/08/life-as-lefty.html

Way to go Vae! Now if every leftie (and a lot of righties who know crafting lefties) did that, Scotch/3M would know that there is a bigger demand than they thought, and might do something about it.

Darla, I'll do it if you will.

• RedSquirrel UK Said:

I actually subscribe to their newsletter. The truth is most these things are done by machine and age old story is that it cost to much to retool the machines to make left handed ones. Considering only 5% of population is lefty and supposedly even less are women, I think most of us lefties groan and lump it. However if you are looking for an innovative person, it will most likely be a lefty who has had to innovate for years to use a #$%^&^ pair of scissors!

• Vae Said:

Vae,
You are so awesome! Thanks for taking up for the crafting minority.

Attention Lefties of the World:

Check out the Scotch ATG 50. You can find it online. ( I don't think a link would be appropriate here.) It's about $25. With the ATG 50, the tape "rides" on the other side of the roller, making it easier for lefties. My mother and daughter are left-handed, and this ATG is much easier for them. I also use it with no problem, but I am somewhat ambidextrous.

Thanks, Vae! More people need to go to bat for lefties, lol!
I don't know about the other lefties, but the size of the ATG is a huge issue for me as well.
I looked at the ATG 50, unfortunately it's as big and bulky as the others, so that keeps ot from being an option for me.
I'm perfectly happy sticking with my Tombow tape runner, it works well, I've never had problems with the tape breaking or anything, and I buy cheap refills in bulk. And that leaves more ATG product for the rest of y'all, LOL!

I just wanted to chime in....I'm a fan of any adhesive that actually sticks to my projects. I used to use Creative Memories adhesive religiously until they went out of business. I spent the last year or more trying to find an adhesive that would stick properly without breaking the bank. Alot of gals in the office are ATG fans and I have not jumped on board. I agree with Chocolateaxel that it's too big. I finally found one here at .com that does the trick, doesn't break the bank and has staying power.

Well there ya go Darla, you've got an un-ATG ally!

I went to write a card this morning. I only made it about a month ago, and I used cheapo non-acid-free double-sided tape from the local craft shop. The dratted thing was falling apart and I had to re-stick it before work. I think that cheapo stuff is going in the bin. New thread coming up, rather than hi-jacking this one...

Welcome to the Dark Side, Joanie! LOL! I feel that's where we non-ATG lovers reside, we are so in the minority.
I've looked in the superstore several times at those Umbrella tape runners, I wondered if they were good adhesive. I also haven't been able to find any information whether they are refillable. Perhaps you can answer that for me?

I really like my ATG, too. I wish there was some sort of "lid" or gadget that went over the adhesive part. It sticks to stuff when you travel with it. Why can't they invent a little cover for that part???

I wind bits of the backing tape from double-sided tape around mine when I take it to crops. Tuck the ends into the casing and it should stay in place.

• pinkpaperairedale Said:

Totally agree. Maybe I need to send them another email. I've tried various things to cover it but they almost always fall off during transit. It would be great if someone invented something that would stay put.

A cover sounds great, but for me, a cover would have to attach with a cord or something. Since I manage to lose the big ATG under my scrap mess, I'd never keep track of a cover unless it was on a chain around my neck. :-)

LOL....just had a vision of Mrs. Driver with the ATG painted gold hanging around her neck. Do a little rap about the cover and you might be the latest sensation in hip hop.

Well, it would have to have some purple bling on it to make it truly mine :>) I could get my ears pierced, then hang the scissors I can never find from one ear and from the other ear would be something else I lose all the time...yep, the ol' brain. (That's me rappin' away!)

How about a cover attached to a chain attached to the ATG Judy? Like a kill-cord on an outboard engine.

Judy you are killing me, love the scissors touch.

I'm a lefty that tried to love the ATG but just can't. It sits here unused and sad in my scraproom.

Lefties unite!

Love ATG and the scotch dot adhesive roller when I want to use something smaller.

I am a recent ATG convert. I used to use the CM adhesive and loved it. Now that I have changed over to the ATG I love it. It is a great adhesive. Youtube videos have helped me learn to load it. I too would love a cover for the sticky end when storing and traveling with it.

I'm another one who doesn't like the ATG. I even bought one and ended up selling it! I've been a Tombow user for ages and I've never had a problem with them at all. I always use my 40% off coupons to buy the 3-pack of refills, so I consider it pretty economical.