How to Bond Cardboard

Staple the cardboard together. This is normally necessary only if you are assembling a large, heavy-duty cardboard box to carry a heavy load. There are a number of specialty cardboard staplers available on the market, both handheld and mounted; these are somewhat expensive, however, and should only be purchased if there is a need to staple a large number of boxes. Otherwise, a heavy-duty staple gun should do the trick. Make sure that the backs of the staples are bent inward to help hold the box together and avoid damaging its contents.

Tape the cardboard together. You can use duct tape, but cardboard is typically taped together with packing tape, and there are several varieties available. Brown packing tape is the traditional tape for cardboard packages; however, clear packing tape is just as strong and doesn't obscure any marking on the box. Filament tape, also known as strapping tape, contains filaments of fiberglass for extra strength and durability, and is often used for holding heavy-duty boxes together.

Glue the cardboard together. Glue is useful in more delicate operations, such as small crafts where tape and staples are too large or unsightly to be used. The glue you choose should be based on how strong of a bond you need and whether excess glue is a problem. Wood glue is effective at bonding cardboard, although it is thick and dries to a yellowish color. Craft glue is a lighter and thinner glue that is suitable for crafts and other projects involving paper or light cardboard, but it takes 24 hours to dry. Hot glue is a strong and effective adhesive for cardboard, although it often leaves behind hardened clumps of glue.