Wet-bonding water-based adhesives are those that cure through evaporation, including dispersion systems, emulsion systems, and primarily wet-bonding aqueous solution adhesives. In this bonding process, the water-based adhesive is applied to either one or both substrates. The substrates come into contact with each other before the adhesive dries, hence the term "wet bonding".

      Since curing relies on evaporation, it is crucial that at least one substrate is porous to absorb moisture and facilitate faster moisture removal from the water-based adhesive system. If neither substrate is porous, curing and hardening may take an excessively long time. Wet-bonding water-based adhesive systems are mainly used in paper and packaging lamination processes, as well as in the furniture and mattress industries.