Paper Mache Paste with No Flour. Easy, Gluten-Free, and Cheap!

Paper mache paste is usually made with flour and water, and that's the paste I normally use - but many paper mache artists can't use that recipe. They may be super-sensitive to gluten (yes, that's a thing) or they live in a very humid environment. That means they can't get paper mache paste to dry fast enough to keep mold from growing on their sculptures.

Another group of people who might be able to use an alternative to the cheap flour and water paper mache paste are teachers who want to mix up a gallon or more of paste at one time and use it over the course of a week. Unfortunately, yeast will move in, and the paste can turn into a stinky bowl of sourdough starter. Great for bread. Bad for paper mache.

But there is an easy and cheap option for paper mache paste. Elmer's Art Paste will make a gallon of paste for under $6, and it will keep a very long time with no worries about mold, yeast, or critters. And it only takes about 30 seconds to make.

DISCLAIMER: This video and description may contain affiliate links. If it does then it means that if you click on any of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support my channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this one. Thanks in advance for your support!

[allisonjarrett]

Elmers just discontinued this paste!! :( I was using it every year in my art class, and I loved that it could be mixed and stored over time, and that it was safe for kids with gluten allergies. I'm heartbroken. Please let us know if you find any substitutes!

[claun_the_clown]

Thank you so much! I have Celiac Disease(I have horrible reactions to gluten, wheat, etc) and a ton of paper mache recipes had it, so it was a relief to find this!

[JanineMKartist]

I have a box. Didn’t realize it makes so much. Good to know

[xavierbastida]

Love your videos! Fun fact: in Mexico they add lime and salt to keep it from molding. I've seen recipes that add vinegar, while smelly it works and doesn't stink when dry.

[christinahartz]

I love your videos! Thank you for all the great tips and tricks!

[Chihirios]

Thank you so much!! Because of COVID, all the kids I care for won’t be able to go trick or treating, so I wanted to make them jack o lantern piñatas! But one of the boys will go into anaphylactic shock if he comes in contact with gluten. Thank you for sharing and letting me still make this happen<3

[sunflower]

You are very talented.. I Love your and the way you explain thank you so have a nice

[kstari]

Thank you so much...I’ve been wanting to try paper mache but am gluten free 😊

[carriehenry]

Jonni have you made anything with it yet? Is it sandable like the regular paste is? Can we use it in your recipies? What about the making mask book method...where you use the shop towels? Exciting stuff, thanks for sharing!

[lawoflifekids]

Thank you!! This is really good information! thanks for your joyful, informative, creative videos, very inspiring!

[GuiltyPleasure]

Thank you so much for sharing! My son has celiacs disease and I can tell you that there's no way id use the alternative flours that are Gluten-free.. Idk if it would work, but it's too expensive for crafting with. I'm doing some fun Christmas projects and this will work great!

[risusrules]

Love your videos. They make feel like a kid again. Wondering how well this hardens and if once hardened if it is water resistant. I ask because I am currently redoing the floors in my house with "paper bag" flooring which uses a LOT of Elmers Glue that I have been ordering by the gallons off line. BTW, can't wait to see you make something with this! As others asked, I'm curious if it is sandable and what the finish looks like - if different at all from flour.

[seanohaimheirgin]

Have you tried rice glue? Just boil rice in a load of water for an hour or so. I'm just trying it on a large dragon head and it seems good.

[kayleighvixen]

I love the videos.
Is there a difference between this and wallpaper paste as they are made from the same ingredient?
I can get a bag of cheap Wallpaper paste for £1 in the UK so would work out more cost effective.

[lisajohnson]

I just love watching you, you explain everything so well.... Do you think you will ever do a Moosehead or a Deer Buck? I would like to see that and try it, I live in a cabin and I would never kill one or any other animal to hang on the wall.... Thank you for your time and kindness. Lisa

[shimazoku]

Yay now I can do prosthetics and makeup!! <3

[dominiquevandroogenbroek]

J’ai pas trouvé les produit que vous nous montrer en Belgique.

[lisaquan]

I've been loving your videos. I appreciate your experimenting with various recipes. I have a son with severe food allergies and wheat is among them. With the application of flour I wasn't sure how some have concerns that bugs would find it appealing, since it would most likely be sealed. But, was wondering if you had tried plaster of paris in place of flour? I was thinking of using your recipe to try, but figured I'd asked if that was something considered previously and I just hadn't come across it yet. Keep up your creative endeavors and thanks again, for all your work and sharing

[calaboose]

Hi, I have tried Art Paste several times (with newspaper) and while I love how it handles and that you can pre-mix it, it generally dries very weak and peels back up, all the reviews I see rave about this product so I'm not sure what is going wrong here, instructions are simple so I feel pretty confident that I am not messing that part up, any other factors? anyone else have similar issues or suggestions?-Thanks

[mrguppy]

THANK YOU NOW I CAN DO. MY BASS FISHH
😂👍🏻