Utrecht Art Supplies
Studio Craft: Gloss Gel as a Heat-set Adhesive
Many artists know acrylic mediums make great
adhesives, but some types can also be used
with heat!
Mounting fabric to board with wet adhesive can
cause distortion if the cloth shrinks. Distortion
can be minimized by coating both surfaces
separately and allowing the gel to dry.
Utrecht Gloss Acrylic Gel Medium can be
used as a heat-set mounting adhesive for fabrics
and paper. Matte acrylic mediums will not work
with this application.
Utrecht Acrylic Gloss Gel has a medium body,
less thick than tube colors but able to hold brush
strokes. Gloss Gel is white when wet, but dries
clear and neutral-colored.
Acrylic dispersion colors and mediums have
very strong adhesion to like surfaces. Dry
acrylics are particularly prone to sticking when
heated- this is why acrylic paintings stacked
face-to-face can stick together in storage.
(Materials like acrylics that become pliable when
heated are called “thermoplastic”.)
Allow both coated surfaces to dry. The adhesive
power of the dry medium will be activated by
application of heat from an iron.
When both surfaces are completely dry, position
board over the fabric with adhesive sides facing.
Use a home iron on medium heat to bond the
fabric to the board. The bond will achieve full
strength as it cools.
Note the medium becomes transparent as it
dries. Make sure no residual moisture remains
before proceeding to the next step.
Once the adhesive has cooled, the fabric will be
mounted snugly against the board with no
bubbles. With this approach, the board will not
be subject to distortion from shrinking canvas.
Repeat on remaining edges. After adhesive
dries, iron to secure bond.
Prime as desired.
Trim excess cloth flush with panel edges, or snip
corners for folding and use additional gel
medium to glue in place.
Questions? Ask the Expert
Intended for reference only. Observe all package
instructions. Dick Blick Holdings/Utrecht Art Supplies is not
responsible for any damage to personal property that may
result from use of the information presented herein. ©
Copyright 2013 Dick Blick Holdings Inc. All rights reserved.