A glue gun is a versatile tool that can help you in almost any craft project, and it is especially useful when you are working with fabric since sewing can take more skills and time.
However, glue guns come in such a wide range of shapes, sizes, and technical specifications, it may be difficult to identify the right one for your project.
So what is the best kind of glue gun to use on fabric? The best glue gun for fabric is a low-temp gun or a dual-temp gun with a low setting. You will want a gun with a trigger feed and a glue stick size that is convenient and affordable for your needs. For fabric, lower wattage and smaller glue guns are more than enough.
In this article, we’ll walk you through five of the highest-rated glue guns for fabric, as well as a detailed buyer’s guide so you’ll know what to look for when you purchase a glue gun for your project.
Fabric Glue Guns – Buyer’s Guide
With all the technical specifications attached to glue guns’ instruction manuals, it can be intimidating to select which is the best tool for your project.
This buyer’s guide will help you identify the most important features you will need to consider when buying a fabric glue gun.
Temperature
The temperature that the gun will use to melt your glue, and will affect the strength of the bond.
Higher temperatures mean a stronger bond, but it’s not always a good thing because it may destroy delicate materials like fabric. High-temperature glue guns are usually used for heavy-duty materials like wood or metal.
For fabric, you can choose a low-temp glue gun, or the low-temperature setting in your dual-temp glue gun, which will ensure that you have a strong enough bond without damaging the material.
Dual-temp glue guns are a great choice if you want versatility in your crafting tools.
Wattage
Similar to the temperature, wattage is also an important factor in deciding how seamless the gluing process will be.
Think of wattage as how efficient the melting process is. The higher the wattage, the less time the gun will take to melt the glue, and the melted glue will be distributed more evenly.
However, for smaller craft projects, you don’t need to invest in a high-wattage glue gun simply because you will not need that much glue in your project.
A 40-watt glue gun is enough to work with fabric while saving energy at the same time. However, you can often get away with less, depending on how serious your project will be, whether it will support any weight, etc.
Warm-up time
You will need to pay attention to the warm-up time when you start using the glue gun. Warm-up time is the time it will take for your gun to start melting glue.
Most glue guns take less than five minutes to warm up. When you wrap up your project, you should also allow some time for the gun to cool down to prevent any damage. So consider paying attention to bonding or cooling time as well.
Feed
Feed refers to how the glue stick is fed through the gun in the melting process. The more convenient option is the trigger feed, where the glue stick is automatically pushed through the nozzle when you push the trigger of the glue gun.
In a manual glue gun, you will need to feed the glue yourself through the gun by continuously applying pressure to the glue stick while you work, which is much less convenient.
Size
For lighter materials and smaller craft projects, a mini glue gun is the better choice, since it is much smaller and lighter and therefore easier to work with.
Industrial-sized glue guns are more recommended for heavy-duty projects with stronger materials that require a strong bond. However, if you plan to use your glue gun for other projects, you may not mind dealing with a larger size.
Glue Stick
If you’re going to be patching your favorite pair of jeans using glue or creating your very own, no-sew hand puppets, or whatever it is your heart desires, you may need plenty of strong glue around.
Before you buy your gun, you should check what kind of glue stick that the glue gun would be compatible with.
This means checking the melting temperature and the diameter of the glue stick to make sure that the stick would fit properly, and the glue would melt seamlessly with the gun you buy.
Some glue sticks are more expensive than others, so you should factor in the cost of the glue sticks while buying your glue gun. Certain brands also make glue sticks that work best with their models. So you can consider getting the brand glue sticks to ensure a smooth experience.
The Best Glue Guns For Fabric
Now that we know more about what to look for in a glue gun, let’s look at some of the top options out there:
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Gorilla Dual Temp Hot Glue Gun | Cord, 14W |
| 2. | FL Mini Hot Glue Gun | Battery, 10W |
| 3. | Elmer's Craft Bond Dual Temp Hot Glue Gun | Cord, 40W |
| 4. | AdTech Dual Temp Hot Glue Gun | Cord, 40W |
| 5. | Surebonder Ultra Dual Temp Hot Glue Gun | Cord, 60W |
We have more on each of these great glue guns below, so keep reading to learn all about these great choices – and happy gluing!
1. Gorilla Dual Temp Hot Glue Gun
This dual-temp hot glue gun from Gorilla is a great option if you are looking for a versatile tool that can work with fabric as well as heavier materials like glass, wood, or metal.
The wattage is 14 watts, allowing the gun to heat up quickly and efficiently while saving energy. It is so easy to use, thanks to its lightweight and sleek design, allowing the glue gun to fit comfortably in your hand while you work.
The precision nozzle and trigger feed also allow for easy and precise application, which is perfect if you are a beginner.
There’s also a built-in safety stand, so it’s easy for you to pick up or put down the gun with ease, without leaving traces of glue all over your craft table.
Some may find the long cord – 56 inches – a bit burdensome, but it’s still a great value for your money if you are looking for a cost-effective and highly efficient glue gun for your project.
2. FL Hot Glue Gun
This 10-watt mini glue gun is surprisingly effective when working with fabric. Thanks to the lower wattage and temperature, it will not damage light materials while providing a good bond for your craft project.
The glue gun can heat up in three minutes, and the built-in rechargeable battery allows you to work cordlessly, reducing much of the hassle when you work with a long cord.
This is a mini glue gun, so it is very lightweight and easy to use, especially for beginners and those who just need it to glue fabric.
We love this glue gun’s design, which comes with anti-dripping features to prevent messes while you work with hot glue. Since it’s a mini glue gun with low wattage, we don’t recommend using it for heavier materials like wood or glass, but it’s the perfect gun for fabric and lighter crafts.
3. Elmer’s Craft Bond Dual Temp Hot Glue Gun
This 40-watt craft bond glue gun from Elmer’s is designed for dual temperature, meaning that there’s a low heat setting when you work with fabric and a higher heat setting when you need stronger bonds for heavy-duty craft projects.
The Elmer’s Craft Bond dual-temp glue gun is beloved by the craft community because it prevents glue dripping and stays hot for a long time while you work. So it’s extra convenient.
Compared to glue guns from other brands, this one comes with more safety features, including an insulated nozzle and a safety fuse, which cuts off the hot glue if there’s electricity short.
The Elmer’s hot glue gun comes with a flip-down stand, which makes it easier to put the glue gun to rest when you need to. This model has options for a minigun and a cordless gun. So depending on your budget and needs, you can get the same features with more suitable options.
4. AdTech Dual Temp Hot Glue Gun
This dual-temperature glue gun also has two settings that you can use to work with every kind of craft project. The wattage is only 40 watts, so it would work best with low-temperature settings for bonding fabric and other delicate materials.
The gun is designed to preserve energy, which means that it will reduce energy consumption when the gun reaches the right temperature. The gun’s precision nozzle also makes it super easy to use and quite handy for small projects.
However, you should consider some minus points when buying this gun. First, the AdTech glue gun comes with a five-foot cord, which is very long for smaller craft projects.
Secondly, the stand sets the gun to rest at an angle, so there may be some glue dripping that you will need to clean up after your work. Overall, thanks to its inexpensive price, you will definitely get your money’s worth with this versatile glue gun.
5. Surebonder Ultra Dual Temp Hot Glue Gun
This glue gun from Surebonder is a bit more heavy-duty than other models. This 60-watt tool offers more power that will work best with wood or glass, but its dual temperature setting allows it to work comfortably with fabric as well.
It takes only four minutes to heat up to the correct temperature, and its design also prevents dripping, which will save a lot of glue. The gun is designed for industrial use, with an insulated nozzle, rubber-covered handle, and trigger.
The best feature built into this glue gun is that it will turn off automatically after 30 minutes of idle time, so you don’t have to worry about safety while working on your project.
When laying the gun to rest, the side fins allow the gun to lay comfortably on its side, preventing glue back-up and allowing you to pick up more easily when you resume crafting.
The 60-watt is fairly powerful if you are just using this gun to work with fabric, but it’s still a product worth considering if you’re looking for a more versatile option that allows you to work seamlessly with a wide range of materials.
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