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Which Glue Is Right for You? Hot Melts vs. Water-Based Glues

Hot Melts

Hot melts are versatile, fast-bonding, and cost-effective adhesives used across bookbinding, packaging, product assembly, fulfillment, and more.

Common Forms

  • Pellets:
    • 53-027W — our most versatile pellet hot melt for a range of stocks (offset, bond, coated). Offers excellent page-pull strength with flexibility. Note: UV and some digital stocks using fuser oil may not be compatible.
    • 37-127W — pellet format, general-purpose performance.
  • Blister pack:
    • 37-612 (Europak) — premium general-purpose, semi-pressure-sensitive hot melt with high tack and long open time across a wide range of surfaces.
  • Pillows:
    • 37-016 — general-purpose/specialty adhesive formulated for difficult-to-bond surfaces, including matte and coated/gloss stocks.
    • 37-127 — light-amber, general-purpose with good adhesion to standard stocks and moderate-to-fast set speeds.

Applications Beyond Bookbinding

  • Folding: Fugitive hot melts are useful for temporary bonds in folding jobs.
  • Padding: Options like UD7008 and UD8008 cover a range of flexibility and color needs for pads.

Water-Based Glues

 

Water-based (cold) glues span permanent, fugitive, and pressure-sensitive formulations. Viscosity is often expressed in cP (centipoise); non-contact systems typically require lower-viscosity (thinner) adhesives than contact systems.

 

Pressure-Sensitive

  • UD730: full pressure-sensitive cold glue for folders and peel-and-stick applications. Bonds difficult substrates such as UV or poly coatings where strong adhesion is required, and is compatible with other water-based glues.

Fugitive (Removable)

  • UD900: low peel bond for uncoated stocks; suitable for contact and non-contact systems. May leave a slight waxy residue.
  • UD950: high peel bond for coated stocks; suitable for contact and non-contact systems. May leave a slight waxy residue.
  • UD1000: latex-based liquid fugitive adhesive for coated and uncoated stocks.
  • UD153 (fugitive hot melt): also known as “booger glue”; low staining with excellent machining characteristics.

Permanents for Folders & Laminating

  • UD200: contact-applied. Suggested uses: cartons, uncoated paper, aqueous-coated paper, and some wax-coated paper.
  • UD500: non-contact. General-purpose, high-quality adhesive for most substrates; runs on low-pressure systems. Excels on folding carton and uncoated stock with excellent penetration and adhesion.
  • UD550: non-contact. Suggested uses: folding carton, uncoated paper, and aqueous-coated stock. Advisory: test first on coated papers; not for UV overcoat or untreated poly.
  • Also available: UD510, UD560, UD700 — permanent water-based glues offering strong adhesion for folder applications.