Glitter glue is a great way to add pizzazz to any crafty project. There are plenty of glitter glue options out there, especially for paper and plastic projects.
But we think one of the most fun activities for glitter glue is using it to customize shirts, hats, jackets, socks, Christmas stockings, and other items made of fabric.
So, what is the best glitter glue for fabric? The best glitter glue for fabric is non-toxic, dries clear so you can see the glitter, is easy to apply, and is either temporary or permanent depending on your project.
There are tons of crafts you can do with glitter glue. In this article, we’ll help guide you through using glitter glue on fabric, qualities to consider when looking for a good glitter glue, and our top 5 options when it comes to glitter glue for fabrics.
How To Get Glitter To Stick To Fabric
As anyone who has ever worked with glitter knows, it gets everywhere. Even if you think you’re being careful, you’ll still find it on the floor, on the table, on your face, in your hair. Maybe you used glitter in a project a month ago, and yet you still somehow find it under your area rug when you vacuum.
It’s just a truth of glitter that it will get everywhere. The question is, once you apply it, how do you get it to stay there?
When it comes to fabric, you definitely want to make sure your glitter stays where it is. It would be a nightmare to wash a t-shirt you decorated with glitter glue, only to open your washer or dryer and find that all of your clothes are now covered in loose glitter.
So, how do you get the glitter to stick to the fabric? You can use glitter glue specifically designed for fabric. We’ve included some of our favorite options below, but keep in mind that some of them are temporary.
If you want your glitter to stay, we suggest choosing one of the permanent glitter glue options. This will ensure the glitter glue stays right where it is, even if you run it through your washing machine.
Another option is to use a spray-on adhesive, like this one. This will ensure your glitter glue is properly sealed and stays on your fabric.
You could also go over your glitter glue design with Mod Podge for fabric. Mod Podge is a water-based sealer, glue, and finish intended to be used over top of your craft design. So whether you use fabric glue or paint, Mod Podge can be brushed on top for a solid seal.
Projects For Fabric With Glitter Glue
When thinking of a project to do using fabric and glitter glue, the first thing that often comes to mind is often t-shirts.
These are easy to decorate, offer a large space to work with, and are not only a fun activity but leave you with a fun reward to wear after you’re finished. Aside from t-shirts, though, there are other projects that can be fun to use glitter glue for on fabric!
A common project is to decorate baseball caps. The hats don’t have to go through the washing machine, so you can use temporary glitter glue without fear of your design being ruined. And they’re a smaller activity you can do in a shorter amount of time.
You can also use glitter glue to customize the back of a zip-up hoodie jacket, a wide headband, gift-wrapping ribbons, and tall tube socks. Truly, with glitter glue, the possibilities are endless.
Choosing Fabric Glitter Glue
When it comes to choosing a good glitter glue for use on fabrics, you have to be careful not to use one that’s mainly created for paper or making slime.
There are specific things you want to consider to find good glitter glue for fabric use, and we’ve detailed those below to help you in your search.
Clear-Drying Glue
Some glitter glues will dry white or cloudy, making the glitter difficult to see. But if you’re using glitter, you want all the sparkle and shine it’s created for.
The best glitter glues for fabric dry on the clearer side so you can see the colorful, vibrant glitter underneath.
Temporary Vs Permanent
For glitter glue, there are options that are both temporary and permanent.
Permanent is great if you want to customize a clothing item that you want to stay that way. Glitter glue that’s designed to be permanent will stand up against a good washing and stay on your fabric. There’s a time and place for temporary glitter glue too, though. For projects that don’t need to be washed, this will work just fine.
Temporary glitter glue is also a good idea when working on fabric other than clothes. If you’re decorating gift-wrapping ribbon, for example, you probably don’t want any glitter glue spills to stay on your clothes. It’s a good idea to use temporary, washable glitter glue for this project.
Ease Of Application
When imaging the design you’re going to create for your fabric craft project, there’s nothing more disappointing than not being able to fulfill that vision because the bottle is hard to hold or the nozzle doesn’t squirt well.
Good glitter glue will have an easy-to-hold bottle and a squirt nozzle that makes it a breeze to apply. Just beware of that nozzle getting clogged! Glue dries hard, after all, so be sure to clean out your nozzle with a toothpick at the end of your craft.
The 5 Best Glitter Glues For Fabric
Now that you’ve learned the best ways for applying glitter glue to fabric and the best qualities to look for when searching for the perfect brand, we’ve provided our top 5 fabric glitter glue choices below.
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | Elmer’s Classic Glitter Glue | 10 colors, non-toxic, washable |
2. | Bright Creations Washable Glitter Glue | 8 colors, non-toxic, large bottles, |
3. | Tulip Glitter Fabric Paint | 3 pack, several color options, peel-proof |
4. | KEILEOHO Glitter Glue Sticks | Hot glue, non-toxic, several colors |
5. | Scribbles Glittering Fabric Paint | 6 colors, glitter or iridescent, non-toxic |
1. Elmer’s Classic Glitter Glue
This set is excellent for those looking to do a temporary project, or work on fabric other than clothes.
It comes in a set of 10 different colors, squeezes easily out of the tube, and is easy to hold!
It’s also non-toxic, which makes it a great choice for those looking to craft with children or even pets around.
This set is washable, though, which means it will come out in the washing machine. For that reason, we recommend only using this on temporary projects or items that don’t need to be washed.
2. Bright Creations Washable Glitter Glue
We like this set because it comes with 8 vibrant colors in large-sized bottles, which means you can craft for longer!
This non-toxic glitter glue also comes with different bottle caps so you can apply it in whatever way is easiest for you.
Interchangeable caps also helps in case the nozzle gets clogged, making it easier to clean out so you can keep working.
This set is washable, though, so we recommend this for only temporary projects or items that don’t need to be washed, just like the Elmer’s set.
3. Tulip Glitter Fabric Paint
Tulip fabric paint is the best option for those hoping to do a permanent design project. It comes in this silver option, or in these multi-color options.
Compared to other brands on the market, Tulip is definitely the best when it comes to permanent applications. This is technically a glitter fabric paint instead of glue, but that’s what makes it permanent and machine washable.
It also dries clear and doesn’t crack or peel, making it ideal to show off on a custom t-shirt.
The nozzles on these bottles are much thinner than the competitors, which helps you create cleaner lines and clearer wording for your design.
These paints are even mixable, so you can create a custom color! Be sure to pre-wash the fabric and let the paint dry for the full 72 hours for best results.
4. KEILEOHO Glitter Glue Sticks
For a fun glitter glue option, you also have the choice of glitter glue sticks designed to be used with a hot glue gun!
This pack offers a large variety of colors to enable you to create whatever design you choose.
Also non-toxic, this glitter glue is safe and easy to use.
You get more control over application when using it with your own hot glue gun, making this a winner when it comes to application. It also comes in large packs of 140-280 so you’ll never be without your favorite colors!
5. Scribbles Glittering Fabric Paint
Although this is another fabric paint set, it’s an excellent choice when looking to decorate fabric with glitter.
Scribbles offers this glittering set, or the iridescent set for those looking for variety.
The bottles may be small, but this makes them easier to handle when applying the paint to your chosen fabric. It’s also one of the cheaper options, which means you can buy more of them without breaking the bank.
This non-toxic set is also permanent and machine washable, making it another great option for t-shirts and socks.
Up Next: How To Make Glitter Wall Paint