--- title: "Best Glues and Tape Runners: 10 Picks Compared" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-glues-and-tape-runners/" description: "The best glues and tape runners for paper crafts and planners compared on maker specs: Tombow, KOKUYO, Midori and Elmer's, with tape lengths, sizes and prices." category: "Accessories" published: 2026-10-31 updated: 2026-11-02 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 10 products: - name: "Tombow PiT Air Tape Runner" brand: "Tombow" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Plastic body with at least 70% recycled plastic by weight excluding the tape; mesh power-net adhesive tape (acid free)" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)" model: "PiT Air" mpn: "PN-MAS" url: "https://www.tombow.com/products/pit_air/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-air-tape-runner/" - name: "Tombow PiT Power D Tape Runner" brand: "Tombow" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Plastic body with at least 70% recycled plastic by weight excluding the tape; power-tape adhesive (acid free)" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)" model: "PiT Power D" mpn: "PN-IP" url: "https://www.tombow.com/products/pit_power_d/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-power-d-tape-runner/" - name: "Tombow MONO Adhesive Permanent" brand: "Tombow" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Thailand" material: "Plastic applicator; dry permanent adhesive film on a carrier tape" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Tombow USA" model: "MONO Adhesive Permanent" mpn: "62106" gtin: "085014621069" url: "https://www.tombowusa.com/products/mono-adhesive-permanent" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-mono-adhesive-permanent/" - name: "KOKUYO Dot Liner" brand: "KOKUYO" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Thailand" material: "Recycled ABS case (70% recycled content); dot-pattern adhesive on a carrier tape" released: "2005-06" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "KOKUYO Co., Ltd." model: "Dot Liner" mpn: "Ta-DM400-08N" url: "https://www.kokuyo-st.co.jp/stationery/dotliner/standard/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-dot-liner/" - name: "Midori XS Tape Glue" brand: "Midori" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "China" material: "Polycarbonate, POM and silicone" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Designphil Inc. (Tokyo)" model: "35518006" mpn: "35518006" url: "https://www.midori-store.net/SHOP/35518006.html" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/midori-xs-tape-glue/" - name: "Tombow Aqua PiT Liquid Glue" brand: "Tombow" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Plastic bottle; silicone-rubber wide tip; water-based liquid glue (acid free)" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)" model: "Aqua PiT" mpn: "PT-WT" url: "https://www.tombow.com/products/aqua_pit-2/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-aqua-pit-liquid-glue/" - name: "Tombow PiT Multi 2 Liquid Glue" brand: "Tombow" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Plastic bottle; silicone-rubber wide tip; liquid glue (acid free)" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)" model: "PiT Multi 2" mpn: "PT-MT" url: "https://www.tombow.com/products/pit_multi_2/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-multi-2-liquid-glue/" - name: "KOKUYO Gloo Liquid Glue" brand: "KOKUYO" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Sponge head; not otherwise stated on the series page" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "KOKUYO Co., Ltd." model: "Gloo liquid glue" url: "https://www.kokuyo.com/stationery/series/gloo/liquidglue/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-gloo-liquid-glue/" - name: "KOKUYO Gloo Glue Stick" brand: "KOKUYO" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Not stated on the series page" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "KOKUYO Co., Ltd." model: "Gloo glue stick" url: "https://www.kokuyo.com/stationery/series/gloo/glue-stick/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-gloo-glue-stick/" - name: "Elmer's Disappearing Purple Glue Stick" brand: "Elmer's" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "Thailand" material: "Washable, acid-free glue that goes on purple and dries clear" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Elmer's Products, Inc., a Newell Brands company" model: "E1559" gtin: "026000015592" url: "https://example.com/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/elmers-disappearing-purple-glue-stick/" --- # Best Glues and Tape Runners: 10 Picks Compared > Based on maker specs, the best tape runner for most paper work is the Tombow PiT Air, which lays 8.4 mm by 16 m with a light pull for 506 yen (about US$3.20). Use the PiT Power D for envelopes, the MONO Adhesive Permanent for photos, the Aqua PiT for liquid glue and the KOKUYO Gloo stick for thin paper. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-glues-and-tape-runners/ - Category: Accessories - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-31 - Updated: 2026-11-02 ![Five tape runners drawn side by side, each laying its tape at the listed width](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/best-glues-and-tape-runners-illustration-16x9.png?v=ea3bddea) *Five runners and their tape widths (bodies in proportion).* Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times. Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Tombow PiT Air Tape Runner | Tombow (by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)) | Japan | Not stated | Plastic body with at least 70% recycled plastic by weight excluding the tape; mesh power-net adhesive tape (acid free) | – | $: under $5 per item | | Tombow PiT Power D Tape Runner | Tombow (by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)) | Japan | Not stated | Plastic body with at least 70% recycled plastic by weight excluding the tape; power-tape adhesive (acid free) | – | $: under $5 per item | | Tombow MONO Adhesive Permanent | Tombow (by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Tombow USA) | Japan | Thailand | Plastic applicator; dry permanent adhesive film on a carrier tape | – | $$: $5–20 per item | | KOKUYO Dot Liner | KOKUYO (by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Thailand | Recycled ABS case (70% recycled content); dot-pattern adhesive on a carrier tape | 2005-06 | $$: $5–20 per item | | Midori XS Tape Glue | Midori (by Designphil Inc. (Tokyo)) | Japan | China | Polycarbonate, POM and silicone | – | $: under $5 per item | | Tombow Aqua PiT Liquid Glue | Tombow (by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)) | Japan | Not stated | Plastic bottle; silicone-rubber wide tip; water-based liquid glue (acid free) | – | $: under $5 per item | | Tombow PiT Multi 2 Liquid Glue | Tombow (by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)) | Japan | Not stated | Plastic bottle; silicone-rubber wide tip; liquid glue (acid free) | – | $: under $5 per item | | KOKUYO Gloo Liquid Glue | KOKUYO (by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Not stated | Sponge head; not otherwise stated on the series page | – | $: under $5 per item | | KOKUYO Gloo Glue Stick | KOKUYO (by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Not stated | Not stated on the series page | – | $: under $5 per item | | Elmer's Disappearing Purple Glue Stick | Elmer's (by Elmer's Products, Inc., a Newell Brands company) | United States | Thailand | Washable, acid-free glue that goes on purple and dries clear | – | $: under $5 per item | - Made in (Tombow PiT Air Tape Runner): Not stated. Tombow's product page lists capacities, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture, so check the label on your copy. Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo company. - Made in (Tombow PiT Power D Tape Runner): Not stated. Tombow's product page lists capacities, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture, so check the label on your copy. Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo company. - Made in (Tombow MONO Adhesive Permanent): Thailand. OfficeCrave lists Thailand for the 62106 applicator, and OnTimeSupplies gives TH (Thailand) in its manufacturer data but Vietnam in its own spec table. Tombow USA's pages don't state it, and we found no origin for the 62107 refill. The related MONO Air Touch runner (62152) is listed as made in Vietnam. Source: https://www.officecrave.com/tombow-mono-permanent-adhesive-applicator-62106.html - Made in (KOKUYO Dot Liner): Thailand. KOKUYO Store lists Thailand for an 8.4 mm × 16 m refill pack, and Simple Paper lists Thailand for its Dot Liner glue tape. We didn't find the origin stated for the Ta-DM400-08N body itself. Source: https://www.kokuyostore.com/en/dotliner-tape-glue-refill-tape-strongly-stick-pack-of-3-8.4mm-x-16m-red/TA-D403-08X3.html - Made in (Midori XS Tape Glue): China. Midori's online store lists the country of origin as MADE IN CHINA for 35518006. Source: https://www.midori-store.net/SHOP/35518006.html - Made in (Tombow Aqua PiT Liquid Glue): Not stated. Tombow's product page lists capacities, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture, so check the label on your copy. Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo company. - Made in (Tombow PiT Multi 2 Liquid Glue): Not stated. Tombow's product page lists capacities, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture, so check the label on your copy. Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo company. - Made in (KOKUYO Gloo Liquid Glue): Not stated. KOKUYO's Gloo series pages list types, sizes and prices but no country of manufacture, so check the label on your copy. - Made in (KOKUYO Gloo Glue Stick): Not stated. KOKUYO's Gloo series pages list types, sizes and prices but no country of manufacture, so check the label on your copy. - Made in (Elmer's Disappearing Purple Glue Stick): Thailand. Newell Brands' own product record for the 12-count E1559 gives country of origin TH (Thailand); PartsSource and On Time Supplies listed China for the same item, and we use the maker's figure. Origin varies by item: Newell's record for the 22 g giant 3-count (2171981) gives CN (China), and the 6-count E1560 record doesn't state one. Check the pack you buy. Source: https://sites.salsify.com/41c9c255-1884-40e0-bc05-ad8dd5617744/b2dae3b8-7a2e-4ca6-8428-8273de608721/product/SAP_E1559/Elmer's-Disappearing-Purple-School-Glue-Sticks-Washable-0-21-Ounce-Glue-Sticks-12-Count/ ## Key takeaways - Four tape runners lay 8.4 mm by 16 m: Tombow PiT Air, PiT Power D and KOKUYO Dot Liner, while MONO Adhesive Permanent lays 1/3 in by 12 m. - The Midori XS Tape Glue is the smallest at 5 mm by 8 m, in a 55.5 × 25 × 13.5 mm body for 440 yen (about US$2.78). - Tombow's Power D is 1.5 times thicker, for about 20 percent more adhesion than its earlier runner, at 484 yen (about US$3.06). - The two Tombow liquid glues are 50 ml at 220 yen (about US$1.39) and 25 g at 264 yen (about US$1.67); KOKUYO's Gloo liquid is 50 ml at 220 yen. - Glue sticks run from about 160 to 500 yen (about US$1.01 to US$3.16) for KOKUYO Gloo in three sizes; Elmer's Disappearing Purple comes in 6, 7 and 22 g. ## What are the best glues and tape runners? **On maker specs, the best tape runners are the Tombow PiT Air, PiT Power D and MONO Adhesive Permanent, and the best liquid glues are the Tombow Aqua PiT and KOKUYO Gloo.** There is no single winner because they glue different things. Runners are clean and dry, liquid glue fills corners, and sticks suit thin paper and school work. - **Best all-round tape runner:** [Tombow PiT Air](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-air-tape-runner/). *Why it's here:* an 8.4 mm by 16 m mesh strip with a light pull, a 2019 Good Design Award, 506 yen (about US$3.20) and a 385-yen refill. - **Best for envelopes:** [Tombow PiT Power D](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-power-d-tape-runner/). *Why it's here:* power tape that Tombow says is 1.5 times thicker, for about 20 percent more adhesion, at 484 yen (about US$3.06). - **Best for photos:** [Tombow MONO Adhesive Permanent](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-mono-adhesive-permanent/). *Why it's here:* a refillable runner with 1/3 in by 12 m of acid-free, PAT-approved tape. - **Best dot-pattern runner:** [KOKUYO Dot Liner](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-dot-liner/). *Why it's here:* tiny dots of adhesive let the strip cut cleanly when you lift, in 8.4 mm by 16 m. - **Best tiny runner:** [Midori XS Tape Glue](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/midori-xs-tape-glue/). *Why it's here:* 5 mm by 8 m in a 55.5 × 25 × 13.5 mm body, 440 yen (about US$2.78), made in China. - **Best refillable liquid glue:** [Tombow Aqua PiT](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-aqua-pit-liquid-glue/). *Why it's here:* a fine tip and a wide silicone tip, 50 ml at 220 yen (about US$1.39) with a 500 ml refill at 990 yen. - **Best temporary-or-permanent glue:** [Tombow PiT Multi 2](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-multi-2-liquid-glue/). *Why it's here:* bonds firmly wet and becomes stick-and-peel dry; 25 g at 264 yen (about US$1.67). - **Best for corners:** [KOKUYO Gloo Liquid Glue](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-gloo-liquid-glue/). *Why it's here:* a square sponge head reaches paper corners; 50 ml at 220 yen (about US$1.39) and a 165-yen refill. - **Best glue stick for thin paper:** [KOKUYO Gloo Glue Stick](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-gloo-glue-stick/). *Why it's here:* wrinkle-free, color-fading and strong types in 10, 22 and 40 g, about 160 to 500 yen. - **Best school glue stick:** [Elmer's Disappearing Purple](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/elmers-disappearing-purple-glue-stick/). *Why it's here:* goes on purple, dries clear and comes in 6, 7 and 22 g sticks. ## How did we choose these picks? **We compiled these picks from the makers' own pages, not hands-on testing.** Each pick has a guide on our site that cites a maker or official-store page for its size and adhesive. Prices are Japanese prices with tax at 158 yen to the dollar, except Elmer's and the MONO, which we band rather than price. ## How do the runners compare? **They differ by tape width, length and refill price.** | Pick | Tape | Body price | Band | |---|---|---|---| | PiT Air | 8.4 mm × 16 m | 506 yen | $ | | PiT Power D | 8.4 mm × 16 m | 484 yen | $ | | MONO Adhesive Permanent | 1/3 in × 12 m | see guide | $$ | | KOKUYO Dot Liner | 8.4 mm × 16 m | see guide | $$ | | Midori XS Tape Glue | 5 mm × 8 m | 440 yen | $ | ![Bars drawn to scale for the tape length of five tape runners](https://stationerytimes.com/images/best-glues-and-tape-runners-illustration.svg?v=5127e686) *Tape length in five runners, at 1 m = 15 px. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.* ## Which is best for photos and scrapbooks? **The MONO Adhesive Permanent.** Tombow USA calls it acid-free and PAT-approved for photos. The Dot Liner and PiT runners are also good for paper, but check their photo claims in each guide. ## Which is best for envelopes? **The PiT Power D.** Tombow made it for envelopes, with a thicker tape for firmer adhesion. ## Which liquid glue should you buy? **The Aqua PiT for general use, the PiT Multi 2 if you want a peelable option.** The Gloo liquid has the square sponge head for corners. All three are 220 to 264 yen. ## What other Tombow glues have their own guides? **Eight more Tombow PiT and ippo! glues, each from Tombow's own page.** For a strong stick, see the [PiT Hi-Power](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-hi-power-glue-stick/) and its [scented S Aroma](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-hi-power-s-aroma-glue-stick/). For blue-to-clear glue, see the slim [Kieiro PiT Hosomi](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-kieiro-pit-hosomi-glue-stick/), the [Neon Yellow](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-kieiro-pit-neon-yellow-glue-stick/) and the child-friendly [ippo! glue stick](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-ippo-glue-stick/). The [ippo! liquid glue](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-ippo-liquid-glue/) has a fine and a broad nozzle. For tape, the [PiT Tape M](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-tape-m-tape-runner/) comes in 8.4 and 12 mm, and the [PiT Air Fishing Net Recycle](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-air-fishing-net-recycle-tape-runner/) is a PiT Air with a recycled-net case. ## Where are these made? **Makers rarely state a country.** Midori lists China for the XS Tape Glue and retailers mostly list Thailand for the MONO; check each guide for the sources. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the best tape runner? On maker specs, the Tombow PiT Air for most work; its 8.4 mm by 16 m refill costs 385 yen (about US$2.44) and the body 506 yen (about US$3.20). ### Which tape runner is best for photos? The Tombow MONO Adhesive Permanent, which Tombow USA calls acid-free and PAT-approved for photos. ### Which is the smallest tape runner? The Midori XS Tape Glue at 55.5 × 25 × 13.5 mm, with 5 mm by 8 m of tape. ### Which liquid glue peels off after drying? The Tombow PiT Multi 2, which Tombow says becomes a stick-and-peel temporary glue if you let it dry before pressing the pieces together. ### Which glue stick suits thin paper? The KOKUYO Gloo wrinkle-free stick, one of three types, in 10, 22 and 40 g sizes. ### Which glue stick shows where you glued? Elmer's Disappearing Purple goes on purple and dries clear; KOKUYO's color-fading Gloo stick does something similar. ### Which of these are refillable? The PiT Air, PiT Power D, MONO Adhesive Permanent, Dot Liner and Aqua PiT, plus KOKUYO's Gloo liquid glue, which swaps its bottle. ## Sources - [Tombow PiT Air Tape Runner guide, with maker sources, on this site](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-air-tape-runner/) - [Tombow PiT Power D Tape Runner guide, with maker sources, on this site](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-power-d-tape-runner/) - [Tombow MONO Adhesive Permanent guide, with maker sources, on this site](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-mono-adhesive-permanent/) - [KOKUYO Dot Liner guide, with maker sources, on this site](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-dot-liner/) - [Midori XS Tape Glue guide, with maker sources, on this site](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/midori-xs-tape-glue/) - [Tombow Aqua PiT Liquid Glue guide, with maker sources, on this site](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-aqua-pit-liquid-glue/) - [Tombow PiT Multi 2 Liquid Glue guide, with maker sources, on this site](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-pit-multi-2-liquid-glue/) - [KOKUYO Gloo Liquid Glue guide, with maker sources, on this site](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-gloo-liquid-glue/) - [KOKUYO Gloo Glue Stick guide, with maker sources, on this site](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-gloo-glue-stick/) - [Elmer's Disappearing Purple Glue Stick guide, with maker sources, on this site](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/elmers-disappearing-purple-glue-stick/)