Boil vinegar in a pan, add gelatin, and stir until dissolved.Let it cool, then brush a thin layer on stamp sheets and let it dry.Store any leftover glue in a sealed container.
White Elmer's glue and vinegar
Mix equal parts white Elmer's glue and white vinegar in a bowl until it's a thin, milky liquid.Use a brush to apply a thin layer to the back of paper, let it dry, and then apply a second coat.
Milk, gelatin, and water
Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over water in a bowl and wait five minutes.Microwave milk until almost boiling and add it to the gelatin, stirring until dissolved.Brush the warm glue onto labels, and it will solidify into a gel when it cools.You can re-liquify it by heating it for about 15 seconds.
Flour, sugar, and water
Mix flour and sugar in cold water, then briefly boil it.This is a water-soluble glue that's inexpensive to make.
All-purpose flour and water
Whisk flour into water in a pot over medium-high heat until the mixture thickens and bubbles.Remove from heat when it reaches your desired consistency.You can add vinegar to extend its shelf life.Store leftover wheat paste in a clean glass jar in the fridge
Here's what you'll need to make a flour-based glue:
Flour
Water
Bowl
Spoon or whisk
Cooking pot
Optional: Sugar
Instructions:
Mix a part flour with two parts cold water in a bowl until smooth.
In a separate pot, bring another part water to a boil.
Slowly whisk the cold flour mixture into the boiling water, constantly stirring to avoid lumps.
Keep stirring until the mixture thickens to a paste consistency.
Remove from heat and let it cool. You can add a little sugar at this point for better preservation.
Important notes:
This glue won't be as strong as store-bought PVA glue and may not be suitable for all applications.
It's also non-waterproof and will not hold for long if exposed to moisture.
This homemade glue is best for temporary fixes or kid-friendly crafts where a strong bond isn't essential.
For best results with PVA glue, it is recommended to buy some from the store.