Permanently adhering photo paper to a surface—glue or tape?

[DudeManGuy1019]

Hey all,

I’m working on an ultra budget replica of Marty McFly’s 1985 skateboard. I’ve replicated the stickers and had them printed on photo paper from my local CVS (I’ve tried printing on sticker paper at Staples, it’s pricey and never comes out right). What’s the best way to adhere them to the board?

My ideas so far are either brushing on a thin layer of superglue, or lining the back with double stick tape. I’m a bit nervous about glue seeping on the former and bulk/peeling on the latter, so I’d like some advice as I’m planning on skating the board and I want them to stay stuck.

 

[TazMan2000]

If you're planning on using glue, be careful as some glues may yellow with time and react with photo paper. Read below. The title says 'glue photos to paper' but it will work on other materials as well.

It might be a "ultra budget replica" but you probably want it to last for a few years.

Expert Guide to Gluing Photos: Best Adhesives & Techniques | Glue Savior

Discover the top methods for adhering photos to paper and albums. Learn about photo-safe glues, mounting corners, and lasting scrapbook techniques.

gluesavior.com

TazMan2000

 

[TommyGunn]

Hey all,

I’m working on an ultra budget replica of Marty McFly’s 1985 skateboard. I’ve replicated the stickers and had them printed on photo paper from my local CVS (I’ve tried printing on sticker paper at Staples, it’s pricey and never comes out right). What’s the best way to adhere them to the board?

My ideas so far are either brushing on a thin layer of superglue, or lining the back with double stick tape. I’m a bit nervous about glue seeping on the former and bulk/peeling on the latter, so I’d like some advice as I’m planning on skating the board and I want them to stay stuck.

Hi, I'm pretty sure you'll have to come up with a better plan, esp if you're gonna actually use the thing. I'm a professional picture framer, and I deal with a lot of different adhesives (glues, tapes, laminates, etc.). One problem here is your "next-to-nothing" budget, if I understand you right... If you're sticking w photo paper, you will have to laminate it, i.e. seal the paper surface with a plastic film, or it will just come apart. Pro printers have these laminates in "floor" versions, which means they'll survive most anything. They're meant for ads, logos etc. that are used on floors in stores, offices etc. They'll also laminate a very strong adhesive film on the underside, that's likewise heavy duty - but it's not cheap. You can buy these materials, or get scraps for free possibly, and do the work yourself. Do a YT search on "how to laminate photo paper", and/or "how to install vinyl lettering on walls", or smth similar. Same principle. I'd strongly suggest you consider looking for a print shop who'll print your sticker(s) for you at a decent price/quality tho - it really should be trivial...
Good luck, T.

 

[Captain Dunsel]

Spray-On adhesive may be the way to go in order to lay it as uniformly flat on the prop.

 

[DudeManGuy1019]

I’m not super worried about things yellowing or reacting, it will be adhered to a clear coated surface and probably clear coated over, and if I have to remove it I can just scrape it off and touch up the paint.

Spray-On adhesive may be the way to go in order to lay it as uniformly flat on the prop.


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I do have a can of super 77 kicking around, I might have to play around with it and see how the hold is without putting any on the surface I’m adhering to. I could theoretically mask and do a 2 part adhesion but it would be a pain.

 

[Moviefreak]

Rubber cement dry mounting.
If you are not familiar with this process, you do the following…

Step 1: Apply rubber cement to the surface you want to apply the image to.
Set that aside and allow to dry. You can go outside of the width of your decal and not worry as you can just roll off the excess cement when done. It’s actually best to over paint the cement as you want your decal image to stick completely around the edges.

Step 2: Take your photo image and apply rubber cement on the back of that, then allow that to completely dry.

You want BOTH surfaces to be completely dry .

Step 3: Take your photo image, and gently press it into place on top of the surface. Dry rubber cement to dry rubber cement. Just make sure you have the image in the right spot as once you touch the dry surfaces, it will bond like nothing you’ve ever seen, and you can not remove it, lol.

Step 4: Rub off any excess cement around your decal image.