Why I Prefer Liquid Pallet Adhesives (and Use Aerosols Sparingly)

If you spend enough time around a press, you’ll eventually land on your own preferences when it comes to pallet adhesive. For me, I’ve come to believe that most shops should be leaning heavily toward liquid pallet adhesives—whether that’s solvent-based or water-based.

The biggest reason? Air quality and cleanliness.

Aerosol adhesives—sprays and webs—might be convenient, but they put a lot of unnecessary chemicals into the air. Over time, that adds up. It’s not great for your lungs, and it’s definitely not great for your shop environment. On top of that, overspray builds up fast. Your press, dryer, floors, and even nearby equipment can end up coated in sticky residue that’s a pain to clean.

That’s why I prefer using a solvent-based liquid adhesive applied with an ink card. It gives me control, keeps things cleaner, and does the job consistently.

Now, I’m not completely anti-spray. I’ll still use a light mist when I’m running fleece or tougher garments that need a little extra hold. But the key word there is sparingly. A quick mist goes a long way without creating the mess or buildup you get from constant aerosol use.

As for web adhesive—I know a lot of shops swear by it, especially for fleece—but I tend to steer away from it. Yes, it holds well, but it can leave a noticeable residue inside the garment. If you’re aiming for a retail-quality finish, that tacky feel on the inside just doesn’t cut it.

For me, the goal has always been to produce work that feels clean and professional—something that could sit on a retail shelf without question. Using a solvent adhesive paired with a light mist when needed has helped me get there. You still get the hold you need, without sacrificing the final feel of the garment.

There are also newer options out there like Print Grip and Print Gel. These create a sticky surface that you can reactivate with water, which is a pretty interesting approach and worth exploring depending on your setup.

At the end of the day, a lot of this comes down to personal preference and what works best for your workflow. But if I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this:

Limit your use of aerosols as much as you can.

You’ll keep chemicals out of the air, your shop will stay cleaner, and your finished garments will have a more professional, retail-ready feel.