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Stationery Times

How to Glue Paper Without Wrinkling: What Makers Say

By · Published · 9 min read

Compiled from 7 sources; we haven't tested these products ourselves yet. How we research

Quick answer

Use a glue with little water and spread it thin. Tombow's Shiwa Nashi PiT stick has a low-water alcohol glue, KOKUYO makes wrinkle-free Gloo sticks and liquid glue, and KOKUYO says tape glue needs no drying wait, so paper wrinkles less. Pull tape slowly and test thermal or glossy paper first.

On this page9 sections
A Tombow Shiwa Nashi PiT glue stick, a KOKUYO Gloo glue stick, a KOKUYO Gloo liquid glue bottle and a KOKUYO Dot Liner tape glue side by side
Four glues for thin paper: two sticks, a liquid glue and a tape glue. Drawn at one scale by eye, not to the real sizes. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Products compared

  1. Tombow Shiwa Nashi PiT wrinkle-free glue stick with its green cap, uncapped, the smaller capped sizes, and a sheet glued flat without wrinklesNo. 1Tombow Shiwa Nashi PiT glue stick$Read the guide →
  2. Three KOKUYO Gloo square glue sticks in front of their type colors, orange wrinkle-free, teal color-disappearing and gray strong, beside a glued sheetNo. 2KOKUYO Gloo glue stick$Read the guide →
  3. KOKUYO Gloo liquid glue bottles with the square sponge head, the 30 ml and 50 ml bodies and the 250 ml refill, beside a sheet glued into its cornerNo. 3KOKUYO Gloo liquid glue$Read the guide →
  4. KOKUYO Dot Liner glue tape applicator beside a strip of dotted glue, with an inset of the dot patternNo. 4KOKUYO Dot Liner standard tape glue, firm adhesive (Ta-DM400-08N), refill Ta-D400-08N$$Read the guide →
ProductBrand originMade inPrice range
Tombow Shiwa Nashi PiT glue stick (PT-TAS, PT-NAS, PT-GAS)TombowJapanNot stated*Price range: $under $5 per item
KOKUYO Gloo glue stick (wrinkle-free, disappearing color, strong; about 10 g, 22 g, 40 g)KOKUYOJapanNot stated*Price range: $under $5 per item
KOKUYO Gloo liquid glue (strong 50 ml, wrinkle-free 30 ml; swap-in bottles; 250 ml refill)KOKUYOJapanNot stated*Price range: $under $5 per item
KOKUYO Dot Liner standard tape glue, firm adhesive (Ta-DM400-08N), refill Ta-D400-08NKOKUYOJapanThailand*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
Notes on these facts
  • Tombow Shiwa Nashi PiT glue stick (PT-TAS, PT-NAS, PT-GAS): Made by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture 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. Price: example listing.
  • KOKUYO Gloo glue stick (wrinkle-free, disappearing color, strong; about 10 g, 22 g, 40 g): Made by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.. Country of manufacture not stated: KOKUYO's Gloo series pages list types, sizes and prices but no country of manufacture, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
  • KOKUYO Gloo liquid glue (strong 50 ml, wrinkle-free 30 ml; swap-in bottles; 250 ml refill): Made by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.. Country of manufacture not stated: KOKUYO's Gloo series pages list types, sizes and prices but no country of manufacture, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
  • KOKUYO Dot Liner standard tape glue, firm adhesive (Ta-DM400-08N), refill Ta-D400-08N: Made by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.. Made in 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. Price: example listing.
  • How we test and disclose samples: How we test stationery.
  • Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).

Key takeaways

  • Tombow says its Shiwa Nashi PiT glue has low water content from an alcohol base and that you can reposition a piece for about 1 to 2 minutes after joining.
  • Tombow says to wind the stick out only 3 to 4 mm, because pushing it out further can stop it from winding back.
  • KOKUYO sells the wrinkle-free Gloo stick in about 10, 22 and 40 g (170, 320 and 500 yen, about US$1.08, US$2.03 and US$3.16) and the wrinkle-free liquid in 30 ml for 220 yen (about US$1.39).
  • KOKUYO says tape glue needs no drying wait and is less sticky, so the paper is less likely to wrinkle; its standard Dot Liner lays 8.4 mm by 16 m for 510 yen (about US$3.20).
  • Tombow and KOKUYO both warn against pulling tape glue fast, which can tear the paper, and KOKUYO lists glossy, coated, thermal and oily papers as ones that may not take it.

Can you glue paper without wrinkling it?

Usually yes, if the glue carries little water and you lay it on thin. The makers’ own answer is a choice of glue: a low-water stick, a wrinkle-free liquid or a dry tape glue.

Glue type What the maker says Maker
Wrinkle-free stick Low-water alcohol glue; reposition for about 1 to 2 minutes Tombow Shiwa Nashi PiT
Wrinkle-free stick A wrinkle-free type among three KOKUYO Gloo
Wrinkle-free liquid Original formula that dries without waves; square sponge head KOKUYO Gloo liquid
Tape glue No drying wait and less stickiness, so less wrinkling KOKUYO Dot Liner

How do you glue paper without wrinkling using a glue stick?

Choose a wrinkle-free stick, wind out only a little glue and swipe it on in an even, thin layer. Tombow says its glue is meant to be used on thinner paper too.

  1. Pick the wrinkle-free stick. Tombow’s Shiwa Nashi PiT comes in 10, 21 and 39 g. KOKUYO’s Gloo sticks come in three types (wrinkle-free, color-fading and strong) in about 10, 22 and 40 g.

    Three capped glue sticks in a row, the middle one with a green cap and a tick above it
    Wrinkle-free type, not strong. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

  2. Wind the glue out only 3 to 4 mm. Tombow says pushing it out further can stop it winding back. Cap it afterwards, and keep it out of heat.

    An uncapped glue stick standing up with a short length of glue showing and a red twist arrow at its foot
    A few millimeters is enough. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

  3. Swipe a thin layer from edge to edge and into the corners. KOKUYO’s stick page starts from the complaint that corners of glued paper curl up. Tombow says to apply more glue only when your paper peels off easily.

    A hand drawing bands of glue-stick glue across a sheet of paper from edge to edge, with a double arrow beside it
    Edge to edge, corners included. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

  4. Press the sheets together and line them up within two minutes. Tombow says its glue lets you peel and reposition for about 1 to 2 minutes. KOKUYO makes no such claim, so with a Gloo stick place the piece carefully the first time.

    A finger pressing on a tilted sheet laid on another, with a red double arrow showing it can be slid into line
    Adjust early, then leave it. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

How do you glue paper without wrinkling using liquid glue?

Pick a wrinkle-free liquid glue, use the square head to reach the corners and spread a single even coat. KOKUYO’s Gloo liquid glue has a wrinkle-free type that it says finishes without a wave-like undulation.

  1. Pick the wrinkle-free liquid. KOKUYO’s wrinkle-free body is 30 ml for 220 yen (about US$1.39), against 50 ml for the strong type at the same price. Its bottles can be swapped, and the head is kept.

    Three liquid glue bottles in a row, the shorter middle one with a tick above it and the right one with a red cross
    Wrinkle-free, not strong. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

  2. Use the square sponge head to reach the corners. KOKUYO designed the square head so glue reaches the corners of paper without squeezing out onto your hands and the desk.

    A liquid glue bottle with a square sponge head laying glue right into the corner of a sheet
    Glue goes right to the corner. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

  3. Spread one even coat and stop. KOKUYO does not publish a coat thickness; we suggest a single pass, since a wet layer is what makes thin paper ripple. Tombow’s Aqua PiT has a fine tip for small areas and a wide tip for large ones.

    A liquid glue bottle drawing a single even band of glue across a sheet, with a red arrow showing the direction
    One pass, edge to edge. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

  4. Join the sheets and press flat. Lay the second sheet down squarely and press from the middle outward with your palm. None of the makers we read gives a drying time.

    A finger pressing down on a sheet laid squarely on top of another, with a red arrow pointing down
    Square down, then press. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

How do you glue paper without wrinkling using tape glue?

Wipe the paper, pull the tape slowly and lay the second sheet on. KOKUYO says tape glue needs no wait for drying and is less sticky than other glues, so the paper is less likely to wrinkle.

  1. Wipe away dirt, damp and oil first. Tombow says dirt, damp or oil on the area to be glued weakens the bond, so wipe it clean before use.

    A cloth wiping across a sheet of paper with a red double arrow and two blue damp spots beside it
    Clean and dry first. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

  2. Press the head on and draw the tape in a slow, steady pull. Tombow and KOKUYO both warn that a sudden pull can tear the paper and roll it into the head, and KOKUYO adds that you should avoid extreme curves or wavering lines.

    A hand pulling a tape glue runner in a slow straight line across a sheet, leaving a dotted line of adhesive
    Slow and straight. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

  3. Lay the other sheet on and press. There is no wait, per KOKUYO. Our suggestion is to press from the middle out; neither maker gives a pressing step.

    A finger pressing a sheet down onto a dotted line of tape glue on another sheet
    No waiting, just press. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

  4. Test a scrap first on glossy, coated, thermal or oily paper. KOKUYO says tape glue may not hold on oily paper (color-copy printing, sticky-memo surfaces) or specially treated paper such as thermal or coated paper, and asks you to test valuable pieces first.

    A glossy sheet crossed out beside a small plain scrap with a test line of tape glue, ticked
    Test a scrap before the real thing. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Where do the sources disagree?

On how they get a flat result, and on photos. Neither maker publishes a wrinkle test, so these are claims, not measurements.

Question Tombow KOKUYO
How does the stick avoid wrinkles? Low-water alcohol glue A wrinkle-free type; formula not described
Can you reposition? Yes, for about 1 to 2 minutes Not stated
Liquid glue Aqua PiT: acid-free, fine and wide tips Gloo: wrinkle-free formula, square head
Tape glue Wipe the surface; do not pull fast No drying wait, less sticky; do not pull fast
Photos Shiwa Nashi PiT may discolor them Tape glue uses a glue with less acid, by KOKUYO’s own standard

Our guides to the Tombow Shiwa Nashi PiT, the KOKUYO Gloo glue stick, the KOKUYO Gloo liquid glue and the KOKUYO Dot Liner cover each in detail, and best glues and tape runners compares ten.

What do these glues cost?

All four cost under $5 in Japan, so they fall in our $ band. Prices are Japanese list prices at 158 yen to the dollar.

Glue Size Japan list price
Tombow Shiwa Nashi PiT 10, 21, 39 g 154 to 440 yen with tax (about US$0.97 to US$2.78)
KOKUYO Gloo wrinkle-free stick about 10, 22, 40 g 170, 320, 500 yen (about US$1.08 to US$3.16)
KOKUYO Gloo wrinkle-free liquid about 30 ml 220 yen (about US$1.39)
KOKUYO Dot Liner standard 8.4 mm by 16 m 510 yen (about US$3.20) before tax

Frequently asked questions

Why does glue wrinkle thin paper?

Tombow ties its stick's low wrinkling to low water content: its Shiwa Nashi PiT glue uses an alcohol base with less water, which it says makes wrinkles less likely and suits thinner paper. KOKUYO describes its wrinkle-free liquid as an original formula that dries without wave-like undulation but does not publish what is in it.

Can you move a piece after you press it down?

Only Tombow says so: its Shiwa Nashi PiT lets you peel and reposition a piece for about 1 to 2 minutes after joining. KOKUYO's stick, liquid and tape pages make no repositioning claim, so assume a first press is final.

Is wrinkle-free glue safe for photos and receipts?

Not necessarily. Tombow warns that Shiwa Nashi PiT can discolor thermal paper such as receipts and fax paper, pressure-sensitive copy slips and photos, and can make writing on some thermal papers vanish. For photos KOKUYO says its tape glue uses a glue with less acid, to its own standard.

What if the edges of the paper lift after gluing?

Tombow says that for papers that peel off easily you should apply more glue. KOKUYO's stick page opens with the complaint that corners of glued paper curl up, and its liquid glue has a square sponge head meant to reach the corners.

Does tape glue work on every paper?

No. KOKUYO lists paper with oil on it, such as color-copy printed areas and the surface of sticky memo pads, and specially treated paper such as thermal or coated paper, as ones that may not take it. Tombow's PiT Air page adds that some copiers and printers leave a surface the glue will not hold to.

Do Tombow and KOKUYO publish wrinkle tests?

Not on the pages we read. Both describe the result in a sentence, so how flat your paper stays depends on its weight and on how much glue you lay down; our hands-on test is still to come.

Should you wait for glue to dry before pressing sheets together?

The makers give no drying time for sticks or liquid glue. KOKUYO says only that tape glue needs no wait, unlike other glues, and Tombow's 1-to-2-minute window is for adjusting a joined piece.

Sources (7)

  1. Tombow (Japan): Shiwa Nashi PiT, low-water alcohol glue, 1 to 2 minutes to reposition, wind out 3 to 4 mm, paper cautions (read November 3, 2026, translated from Japanese)
  2. KOKUYO (Japan): Gloo glue stick series page, wrinkle-free, color-fading and strong types and prices (read November 3, 2026, translated from Japanese)
  3. KOKUYO (Japan): Gloo liquid glue, square sponge head and wrinkle-free original formula (read November 3, 2026, translated from Japanese)
  4. KOKUYO (Japan): Dot Liner Q and A, tips for tape glue, handling cautions and papers it may not hold (read November 3, 2026, translated from Japanese)
  5. KOKUYO (Japan): Dot Liner standard, 8.4 mm by 16 m and price (read October 20, 2026, translated from Japanese)
  6. Tombow (Japan): PiT Air tape glue, wipe the surface first, slow pull and test warnings (read November 3, 2026, translated from Japanese)
  7. Tombow (Japan): Aqua PiT liquid glue, acid-free and twin tip (read November 3, 2026, translated from Japanese)

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