This article outlines the broad principles involved in compounding polyvinyl acetate emulsion for adhesive applications. To facilitate an understanding of the concepts to be dealt with, the author first surveys adhesives in general and discusses the significance of their properties. Although it is not possible to present more than a small fraction of the background which exists in the adhesive field, the precepts described here should act as guideposts along the path to the formulation of successful polyvinyl acetate emulsion adhesives.