Adding Swarovski crystals to your designs is a brilliant way to bring sparkle and elegance to any project. Whether you're bedazzling dance costumes, customizing your clothing or accessories, or adding a touch of glamour to home décor, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing the right adhesive. In this guide, we'll explore what glue is best for Swarovski crystals, how to apply it, and what can go wrong if you get it wrong!
Why Choosing the Right Glue Matters
It might sound simple, but using the correct glue makes all the difference when it comes to keeping your Swarovski crystals securely in place. The last thing you want is to spend hours carefully applying your crystals, only for them to fall off a few days later.
Using the wrong adhesive can not only cause poor adhesion, but it can also damage the foil backing, damage the fabric, cause cloudiness, or even leave visible glue marks that dull the shine of the crystal. Whether you're working on fabric, plastic, glass or metal, knowing what glue to use for Swarovski crystals is key to a long lasting, professional finish.
What Glue is Best for Swarovski Crystals?
Here at Crystal Parade, we recommend two reliable and widely used adhesives for Swarovski crystal application:
- Best for: Fabric, card, paper, flexible plastics
- Dries clear
- Easy to use in syringe applicator
- Non-toxic and safe for use indoors
- Ideal for embellishing clothing, shoes, bridal accessories and more
- Best for: Harder surfaces like glass, metal, ceramic, plastic, wood and thicker fabrics
- Industrial strength with excellent hold
- Non-toxic
- Dries clear and flexible
- Waterproof and heat resistant
- Great for items that require movement such as shoes
These two glues are firm favourites with professionals and hobbyists alike. So, if you're wondering what glue is best for Swarovski crystals, you really can't go wrong with either of these – just make sure you choose the one suited to your project.
What Can Happen if You Use the Wrong Glue?
We've all been there – grabbing a random craft glue from the back of a drawer and hoping for the best. Unfortunately, this often leads to:
- Crystals falling off easily
- Discolouration or clouding on the stone surface
- Damage to the foil backing
- Glue soaking through delicate materials like fabric
- Sticky mess and wasted materials
To avoid the disappointment, it's always worth investing in the correct product for the job.
How to Glue on Swarovski Crystals: Step-by-Step
If you're new to embellishing, or just want a refresher, here's our tried-and-tested method for gluing Swarovski crystals to any surface using the Gem Tac or E6000+ glue.
You will need:
- Your chosen glue (Gem Tac or E6000+)
- A Crystal Katana pick-up tool
- Syringe with a fine applicator tip (for neat glue dots)
- A clean, dry work surface
- Non hotfix Swarovski crystals (Read our Hotfix Application Guide for tips on applying with heat).
Step-by-step guide:
- Prepare your surface – Make sure it's clean, dry, and dust-free.
- Apply the glue – Use the syringe with applicator tip to squeeze a tiny dot of glue where you want the crystal to sit. Apply up to 10 dots at a time and allow a few seconds to get tacky.
- Pick up the crystal – Use the wax end of your Crystal Katana to pick up your Swarovski crystal, shiny side up.
- Place the crystal – Carefully place it onto the glue spot. Adjust if needed using the pointed end of the tool.
- Lightly press down – Just enough to ensure the crystal is making contact.
- Let it dry – Leave your project flat and undisturbed for at least 24 hours.
Once you get the hang of it, you'll see how simple and satisfying gluing Swarovski crystals can be.
Top Tips for Best Results
- Work in natural daylight if possible
- Use a flipper tray to keep your crystals close by when stoning, the handy tray is also great for keeping your crystals shiny side up – ready for a quick an easy application.
- Avoid using too much glue – a small dot is all you need
- Store and maintain your tools properly so they're ready for next time.
In Summary
When it comes to how to glue Swarovski crystals, the key is using the right adhesive for the surface you're working on. Both Gem Tac and E6000+ have proven to be reliable and easy to use, giving your creations long lasting sparkle and durability. Remember – the better the glue, the better the results.
Ready to get started? Browse our full range of glues, tools, and Swarovski crystals at Crystal Parade – and if you need help choosing the crystals for your project, we're always happy to advise.