How to Make Paper Mache Paste With Just Glue and Water
Do you need a VERY simple, fast, and easy paper mache recipe? Here’s how to make paper mache paste. Best of all you only two ingredients: glue and water!
Forget the flour, forget the cooking – this paper mache glue recipe is very strong and dries faster than other traditional paper mache paste recipes.
Best Paper Mache Paste Recipe EVER
This recipe is so ridiculously simple I am not sure why more people do not just use this method for creating paper mache crafts.
It is so much easier than other methods I have tried. The only two ingredients you need are literally glue and water!
Some people have told me that they don’t want to use glue because you need a lot of glue…but glue is so cheap! You can buy glue by the gallon on Amazon and have enough glue for all of your paper mache projects!
Elmer's Products, Inc E3860 Multi-Purpose Glue-All, 1 gal, White
$31.75 in stock
Amazon.com
They type of glue I like to use is Elmer’s Glue-All. This is perfect for so many different craft projects and it is very affordable, especially if you buy it in bulk.
This glue is a white PVA glue that is generally non-toxic and works perfectly for all sorts of general craft applications.
If you think about the cost of clay, wood and other crafting supplies, using glue for paper mache is still very budget friendly!
How to Make Paper Mache Paste Using Only Glue and Water:
This is so simple, you only need to stick to a basic ratio of mixing up the glue and the water. Of course, you can use more water for thinner paste and more glue for thicker paste.
Ingredients You Need:
- 1 cup Elmer’s Glue-All
- 3/4 cup Water
Directions:
Mix 1 cup of glue with 3/4 cup water. Stir with a craft stick. You’re done!
Really, it is THIS easy to make a strong and relatively mess-free paper mache paste! If you want it thicker, or you want it runnier, just adjust how much water you mix in.
This paper mache recipe will make about 1 3/4 cups of paper mache paste, which is suitable for most smaller projects. I like to make it as I need it and use it.
From here you can either dip strips of newspaper into the glue mixture, or you can stir it in with tissue paper pulp if you want to make something that is more of a paper mache clay texture.
Of course, if you want to mix up more or less, you definitely can, just stick to a 1 cup of glue to 3/4 cup water ratio.
So, for example, if you wanted to halve this recipe, you’d use 1/2 cup of glue and around 1/3 cup of water, with maybe an added tablespoon of water or so if needed.
If you wanted to double the recipe, you’d need 2 cups of glue and 1 1/2 cups of water.
I recommend only making small batches for as much as you need – that way you only have to store the glue, and not a container of watered down glue!
I hope you enjoy this super simple paper mache paste recipe, and of course now you’re ready to make all sorts of fun paper mache projects!
Have you used this method for making paper mache paste before? Do you like it?
I love how its simple to mix up, is relatively easy to work with and I don’t have to worry about things like flour or cornstarch attracting mice and other critters.
If you have a recipe for paper mache paste that you love, share it in the comments section below!
Thanks, I’ll give it ago. Making Xmas baubles
I used this recipe to cover a large ball in order to make a pinata for my grandson that looked like Thomas the Train he saw on youtube and it turned out perfectly. I had tried the cooking method once before and hated it but this works wonderfully and you can even store the leftover for future use. Thanks for this simple easy to make and durable recipe!!!
That makes me so happy to hear that it worked great for you Tammy! Yes, this method is definitely a LOT less messy than the cooked versions!
Does this dry clear?
Yes, it does!
What kind or brand of glue do you get?
I use Elmer’s Glue All usually because it’s economical by the gallon – but pretty much any kind of PVA glue will work just fine!
Thank you for the recipe. I’m working on a large project and made a double recipe not knowing if I’d go through it all. Can the remainder be stored? If so how? Thanks in advance ☺️
Hi Crystal, yes, you can definitely store it! Make sure it’s in an air tight container + it should be good for a long while – anytime I have leftover/extra glue I just use it as an excuse to make another project quick though lol – as long as the water doesn’t evaporate + it’s not getting any dust or wild yeast from the air it probably could last indefinitely though you’ll want to make sure you stir it real well before use.