Introduction

The manufacturers description
Xyron manufactures innovative adhesive and laminate application products designed for use in the enhancement of creative output and document preservation. Currently, eight different systems are produced ranging in size from 1.5" to 12" for consumers and 12" to 44" for the professional market. Xyron also produces over 100 different types of adhesive, laminate and magnetic cartridges for use with these systems.
Xyron is a registered trademark.

Card Inspirations comment

Card Inspirations do not stock Xyron products - mainly on the grounds of cost.
Our tutors and staff prefer the following adhesives for making greetings cards:

• Double sided self-adhesive tape for and mounting acetate, card, etc. on greetings cards and closing greeting card flaps.
• Double sided self adhesive sheet for mounting fabric on card and paper.
• Double sided foam pads and Silicone glue for 3-D work.
• Stick adhesives such as Pritt Stick for general paper and card work.
• Sticky Dots for mounting delicate items such as skeleton leaves.
• P.V.A adhesive for quilling.

Reader's messages

These messages were first posted in the Card Inspirations Card Craft Forum. Some messages have been shortened.
Legal note: The views expressed are those of the individual authors. Card Inspirations do not endorse these views by reproducing them here.

Xyron 850
AUTHOR: Carol
DATE: 20 Apr 01

Hello Everyone

I've just bought a Xyron 850 machine - does anybody else out there have one? I'm beginning to wonder if it was an expensive mistake. I could do with some inspiration. Please let me know if you have one and what you do with it.

Thanks
Carol Battell :O)

Re: Xyron 850
AUTHOR: Rena
DATE: 8 May 01

Hi,

I recently also bought a Xyron 850. So far I have only used it a few times. I enjoy scrapbooking, and it does make a good job of adding glue to precious pictures without the sticky mess!

Re: Xyron 510
AUTHOR: Kathie
DATE: 17 Nov 01

I got one recently, it is my Xmas present from my Son, but I got it early so that I could make my Xmas cards with it. I have found loads of uses for it. It is great if you do parchment work, as it doesn't show through the back.

Also if you use punches, run scraps of card etc through the Xyron and then punch out shapes (before peeling off the backing sheet) then you have loads of little stickers to put on your cards, without having to glue each individual piece. Also I have made cards using wrapping - paper - that goes through the Xyron great (although the thinner paper sometimes doesn't work so great).

Re: Xyron
AUTHOR: margaret
DATE: 20 Nov 01

I have the 510 which I think is great for card making. As it is a dry glue system you do not get stretching of paper. It also makes magnets and laminates. However it only takes things up to about 5 inches wide. I have used mine for paper, card, vellum, skeleton leaves and silk flowers.

Re: Xyron (again)
AUTHOR: Eve Scott
DATE: 30 Nov 01

If you want the mulberry paper to keep the lovely torn or ragged edge look then the Xyron can work very well. However, if you want the edges to stand slightly proud then don't use the Xyron as the work will be flat. Remember, where possible, to glue the card not the mulberry paper (it sticks to the glue!).

It is also excellent for gluing skeleton leaves but do take care as these are very fragile and can tear when you try to remove the backing paper.

Re: Xyron
AUTHOR: Pat
DATE: 11 Jan 02

Jo

Got my Xyron 510 just before Christmas, and love it to bits, don't know what I did without it. It really is so useful, especially for delicate bits, skeleton leaves, mulberry papers etc., also for die cuts and ribbons. I use it all the time, and it saves so much time and gives a really professional finish to cards.

I also put shapes through the Xyron, peel off backing sheet and cover with glitter, the adhesive holds really well, and is really easy, my twin Grandsons of 10 make some lovely cards.

Kind regards,
Pat

Re: Xyron
AUTHOR: Kathleen Frost
DATE: 11 Jan 02

Hi Jo,

I have the Zyron 850 and use it mainly for the adhesive in making cards, use the lamination too. My machine gets a lot of use.

Kathleen.

Re: Xyron
AUTHOR: Val
DATE: 14 Jan 02

Hi Pamela.

Re the Xyron being cost effective for your cards, no it isn't. You would have to make an awful lot of cards and sell them at a GOOD price to make it so. I have had the big and the small for years and use them sparingly and gone back to using glues for some things. I am lucky that I teach in a craft store and get 25% off what I buy and many times 40%, otherwise I would really be out of pocket as I go through the refills so fast.

They are great for so many things, as you have read on the mail, but are really one of those toys we feel we need and you wonder how you managed without it. If you buy one get the large one as then you can get all the different refills, laminate and stick combo. There are about 13 in all.

Don't let me put you off Pamela but just being truthful when one has to take costs into account.

Val.

Re: Xyron
AUTHOR: Margaret
DATE: 15 Jan 02

I have had a Xyron 510 since early November 2001 and love it. Yes the refills do seem expensive. When I purchased mine I got 18 feet of adhesive, 15 feet laminate and 7 feet of magnet. I do not use the Xyron every time but for anything needing edge to edge glue it is wonderful. Perfect for skeleton leaves and mulberry paper etc. material can be stuck onto card and it does not fray. I made dozens of Christmas cards and a few birthday cards since I have had the Xyron although I did not use it on every card. I Xyroned lots of things at the same time to avoid waste.

Card making is just a hobby so I do not worry about resale value of my cards as I give them all to friends and family. I do think it would be expensive to use the Xyron if you wanted to make cards and sell them for profit. I am so slow anyway my hourly rate would be awful.

I am pleased I purchased the Xyron and although I have used it a fair amount I still have plenty of my original cartridge left. It is very easy and non-messy to use.

Re: Xyron
AUTHOR: Pauline
DATE: 26 Jan 02

I have both machines and they are great for card making, laminating photos and bookmarks and putting edge to edge sticky on delicate things like skeleton leaves. No not just a gadget.

Re: Free Xyron
AUTHOR: Pamela
DATE: 11 Mar 02

Having been the one not remotely interested in buying a Xyron have now received my free one 'cos of my subs to Crafts Beautiful magazine.

However - and dare I say this in such enthusiastic Xyron company - I cannot see me using it much. You obviously need to push through as many bits as you can otherwise you waste masses of the roll of adhesive.

I suppose I might use it for making children's card as I like to make big animals so this might be a use but I am glad it was a free one as I cannot see I would have bought one.

Wish you luck with your Xyrons though ( and I will await the deluge of protests about my anti-Xyron comments !!!)

Re: New Toy
AUTHOR: Lorraine
DATE: 15 Mar 02

I have the 510 and it has come in very handy for sticking thinks on to cards that needs stronger glue than a glue stick. What I was finding if I has to use wet glue my card was buckling where as now with the Xyron it doesn't .

Lorraine

Re: Okay - I give in
AUTHOR: Pamela
DATE: 18 Mar 02

I am afraid I am one of the unenthusiasts! Didn't want one, got the free one, tried it, didn't like it, don't think I'll use it much. Just don't think I make the sort of cards I need it for but as it was free will just let it sit there til I get more inspiration. There have been lots of suggestions I know but just doesn't seem to be for me!! So yes life exists without a Xyron.

Re: Okay - I give in
AUTHOR: Sandie
DATE: 18 Mar 02

Yes, I tend to agree with Pamela. I've had my Xyron for quite a while now and haven't used it much. I use double-sided tape mostly for sticking card and paper, including mulberry paper, to my cards. The only thing I have found the Xyron useful for is for sticking fine fabric - I run a whole length of fabric through the machine and cut it afterwards. Tape and glue stick weren't good for this but the Xyron works very well. Life will definitely go on without one!

XYRON
AUTHOR: jan
DATE: 2 Apr 02

Have just bought a Xyron and although am pleased with the result I am getting 'sticky edges' around images. Does anyone else have the same problem or am I doing something wrong?

Re: XYRON
AUTHOR: SHEELAGH
DATE: 2 Apr 02

Hi Jan,

Have you the Series 500 or 510 Xyron? The 500 that I have does not seem to have the film over the top, just the undersheet to peel off. This leaves - as you say a sticky edge to bits put through the machine, I have dusted talc onto fingers and brush round edge, this seems to have solved it. If it is a coloured card I use powdered blusher or powder eye shadow nearest to the colour card.

But if you have the 510 I understand this has a film over the top of the craft put through the machine, and as demonstrated by Dawn Bibby on QVC. She always smoothes down the top sheet around each piece before removing, which I presume takes off the sticky residue.

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