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Gum Arabic
660000100
€2.50
3,03 € Tax incl.
3,03 € Tax incl.
100% natural Gum Arabic in powder form. Non-toxic plant-based adhesive, water-soluble. Ideal for crafts, restoration, gilding and artisan bookbinding.
Gum Arabic is a natural adhesive obtained from the acacia tree (also known as robinia), completely non-toxic and water-soluble. In powder form, it dissolves easily to produce an adhesive solution with adjustable viscosity, ideal for artistic work, restoration, bookbinding and gilding techniques. It is the go-to natural adhesive when you need a safe, reversible adhesive of 100% plant origin.
Technical specifications
| Origin | 100% natural (acacia exudate) |
|---|---|
| Format | Powder |
| Solubility | Water-soluble |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
| Colour | Off-white/yellowish (powder) / transparent (solution) |
| Reversibility | Yes — water-soluble once dry |
What it is used for
Gum Arabic has a wide range of applications in artistic, craft and educational settings. Its natural, non-toxic and reversible character makes it especially valued wherever a clean and safe adhesive is required:
- Glue for paper, card and lightweight fabrics in crafts and collage
- Artisan bookbinding and restoration of old books and documents
- Mordant for applying gold leaf and silver leaf in gilding work
- Adhesive for postage stamps and gummed labels
- Safe glue for school and children's use
- Binder in watercolours and artistic inks
- Simple models and mock-ups where a reversible adhesive is needed
How to use it
- Measure the required amount of powder. A common ratio is 1 part Gum Arabic to 2–3 parts water, depending on the desired viscosity: more gum for a stronger adhesive, more water for more fluid solutions.
- Add the powder to warm (not boiling) water gradually, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Leave to rest for 15–20 minutes and mix again until a smooth, particle-free solution is obtained.
- Strain through a fine sieve if necessary to remove any impurities or residual lumps.
- Apply with a brush, spatula or dropper to the surface to be bonded or treated.
- Press the pieces together and leave to air dry. Drying time varies depending on layer thickness and ambient humidity.
- Store any leftover solution in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Add a few drops of water if it thickens over time.
Usage tips
Adjust the concentration to suit the application
For bookbinding or thick paper, a more concentrated solution (1:1 or 1:2) gives greater bonding strength. For watercolours or artistic inks, dilute further (1:4 or 1:5) so it acts as a fluid binder without altering the colour. For gilding with gold leaf, a 1:3 solution is usually sufficient: apply a thin coat, wait until it loses its shine (tacky stage) and lay the leaf.
Storage and shelf life of the solution
An aqueous Gum Arabic solution can develop mould over time if stored at room temperature. Always keep it in the refrigerator and use it within 2–4 weeks. If you notice an acidic smell or colour change, prepare a fresh batch. The dry powder, on the other hand, keeps indefinitely in a dry, moisture-free location.
Reversibility: an advantage in restoration work
One of the most valued properties in the restoration of old documents and books is that Gum Arabic is completely reversible: once dry, simply apply warm water to soften it and separate the pieces without damaging the original support. This makes it the right choice when the intervention must be minimal and reversible.
Frequently asked questions
Can it be used as a paper glue?
Yes. Gum Arabic in aqueous solution works perfectly as a glue for paper, card and lightweight fabrics. It is not as strong as an industrial adhesive, but for artistic uses, bookbinding and crafts it offers sufficient bonding with the advantage of being non-toxic and reversible with water.
Is it safe to use with children?
Yes. Gum Arabic is a 100% non-toxic natural adhesive, making it suitable for school activities and children's crafts. Always with adult supervision when preparing the solution with hot water.
What mixing ratio is recommended?
The most common ratio is 1 part Gum Arabic powder to 2–3 parts warm water. For more adhesive uses (bookbinding, gilding) use less water; for a binder in watercolours or more fluid solutions, increase the amount of water up to 1:4 or 1:5.
How should it be stored once prepared as a solution?
The liquid solution should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator and used within 2–4 weeks. The undissolved powder keeps indefinitely in a cool, dry location away from moisture.
Can it be used to apply gold leaf?
Yes, it is one of its classic uses. Apply a thin coat of Gum Arabic solution to the surface, wait until it loses its wet shine and reaches a tacky stage, then lay the gold or silver leaf. The finish is natural and the technique is reversible.
Is it the same as bookbinding gum?
Gum Arabic is one of the traditional adhesives used in artisan bookbinding and book restoration, but not all commercial "bookbinding gums" are pure Gum Arabic. The advantage of 100% natural Gum Arabic is precisely its purity, reversibility and absence of synthetic components.
Does it work on surfaces other than paper?
It works well on paper, card, lightweight fabrics and porous surfaces in general. Its adhesion to plastics, metals or non-porous surfaces is very limited. For those applications a cyanoacrylate adhesive such as Ciano Normal or Ciano Denso from Feroca is more suitable.
Can it be mixed with pigments or dyes?
Yes. The Gum Arabic solution accepts powder pigments and water-soluble dyes, making it possible to prepare homemade inks and watercolours. It is precisely the traditional binder used in high-quality artistic watercolours.
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