Essential Glue Pad: Foil and Glitter Stamping Without Heat
The Essential Glue Pad is Tsukineko's clear, water-based glue stamp pad: stamp, then add foil, powder or fine glitter, with no heat needed on absorbent paper. The set holds a pad and 15 ml of glue in a clear case, 138 × 70 × 20 mm, at 1,280 yen (about US$8.10) before tax.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- Tsukineko Essential Glue Pad set (GP-002) and refill glue (RP-002)
- Brand
- Tsukineko
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Not stated*
- Material
- Water-based glue on a pad in a clear case, with 15 ml of glue in the set
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
- Rate it
Notes on these facts
- Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Tsukineko's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Its company history lists a factory in Yoshikawa, Saitama (built 1986) and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington that began production in 1994, so check the label on your copy. 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
- Stamp with the glue pad, then lay foil, powder or fine glitter on the print; Tsukineko says no heating is needed on absorbent surfaces.
- The set (GP-002) is a pad and 15 ml of glue in a clear case, 138 × 70 × 20 mm, with a 76 × 47 mm inking face, at 1,280 yen (about US$8.10) before tax.
- Refill glue (RP-002) is 15 ml at 660 yen (about US$4.18) before tax; Tsukineko says to refill only with its own glue.
- The glue dries clear: about 15 minutes on absorbent paper and about 60 on paper that absorbs poorly; non-absorbent materials need 2 to 3 days or heat.
- Tsukineko's page gives no country of manufacture.
What is the Essential Glue Pad?
It turns a rubber stamp into a foil or glitter stamp without a heat tool. Tsukineko says the pad lets you show a stamp pattern in foil, powder, fine glitter and similar materials without heating, and that the glue dries clear. It uses water-based glue and dries naturally.
It sits next to the clear VersaMark pad in Tsukineko’s line, which also holds powder for embossing but needs heat.
What do you get?
A pad with glue in a clear case, and a refill bottle sold separately. Tsukineko lists these.
| Set | Refill glue | |
|---|---|---|
| Part number | GP-002 | RP-002 |
| Size | 138 × 70 × 20 mm | 37 × 19 × 67 mm |
| Content | pad and 15 ml glue | 15 ml |
| Inking face | 76 × 47 mm | n/a |
| List price before tax | 1,280 yen (about US$8.10) | 660 yen (about US$4.18) |
Prices are Japanese list prices at 158 yen to the dollar. Tsukineko makes the refill glue to order.
How do you foil with it?
Press the stamp in glue, lay foil on the print, press and brush off the extra. Tsukineko’s steps: first work a small amount of glue into the pad, about the size of a 500 yen coin, which you don’t need to repeat each time. Ink the stamp evenly and stamp. Place foil with tweezers that do not give off static, cover with a sheet of paper and press, wait, then brush off the foil that did not stick. For powder or glitter, sprinkle it over the glue and tap off the extra with a brush once dry.
How long does it take to dry?
About 15 minutes on absorbent paper and about 60 on paper that absorbs poorly. Non-absorbent materials need 2 to 3 days, or a hairdryer if the material can take heat. Tsukineko says to let the glue dry slightly before adding foil, and to test whether the material will take it first.
How do you care for the pad?
Shut both lids after use, and refill only with Tsukineko’s glue. Tsukineko says a pad that has dried hard should be washed, dried and then refilled with the dedicated glue. Keep the inner and outer lids closed to avoid drying out. Fine pearl powder works better than coarse glitter, which is hard to attach.
How does it compare with embossing?
It skips the heat tool but takes longer to dry. The VersaMark pad holds embossing powder too, and its ink needs about 5 to 10 minutes to dry on thin paper before heat is used. The glue pad needs about 15 minutes on absorbent paper, about 60 on paper that absorbs poorly, and 2 to 3 days on non-absorbent materials, but no heating on absorbent surfaces.
The pad face is 76 × 47 mm, like VersaMark L and Delicata L. Tsukineko says embossing with the glue is possible but the result may not be even.
Where is it made, and what does it cost?
Tsukineko’s page doesn’t give a country of manufacture. The company history lists a Yoshikawa, Saitama factory and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington. At 1,280 yen (about US$8.10) before tax the set falls in our $$ band ($5–20).
For other Tombow glues, see the Aqua PiT and PiT Multi 2 liquid glues.
Frequently asked questions
What is in the set?
A glue pad and 15 ml of glue in a clear case, per Tsukineko. The pad face is 76 × 47 mm.
Does it need heat?
Not on absorbent surfaces, per Tsukineko. Non-absorbent materials need 2 to 3 days to dry, or a hairdryer if the material is heat-resistant.
What can you add to the print?
Foil, powder, and fine glitter, per Tsukineko; it recommends fine pearl powder over coarse glitter, which sticks poorly.
How long does the glue take to dry?
About 15 minutes on absorbent paper and about 60 minutes on paper that absorbs poorly.
Can you emboss with it?
Tsukineko says it can, but the result may not be even.
Can you refill it?
Yes, but only with Tsukineko's dedicated 15 ml refill glue at 660 yen (about US$4.18) before tax. Refills are made to order.
How much does it cost and where is it made?
Tsukineko's list price before tax is 1,280 yen (about US$8.10) for the set, in our $$ band ($5–20). The page doesn't state a country of manufacture.