Glitter glue can be a great addition to any arts and crafts project because it works well on various materials such as paper, plastic, and even polymer clay. Knowing the drying time for glitter glue will help you achieve a mess-free result for your project.
How long does glitter glue take to dry? Depending on the brand of the glitter glue and the material used, it usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour to dry. However, if you’re working with some tricky materials, the glue can take up to a day to form a strong and secure bond.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about glitter glue’s drying time. If you’re in a hurry, we’ll also give you some tips on how to safely dry glitter glue faster!
What Is Glitter Glue?
Glitter glue is an adhesive, just like any other water-based glue that you often use in arts and crafts projects. However, glitter glue has a fun addition of small glitter particles suspended in the mix, so glitter glue can also be used to embellish sparkly details in a craft project.
On its own, glitter can be difficult to work with and messy to clean up. It’s too light, and it’s very hard to add exact details. For those who love the looks of glitter but don’t love working with traditional glitter, glitter glue or glitter glue pens are a great alternative.
Since the glitter is trapped inside the water-based solution, it won’t be super messy when you try to work. Glitter glue is also quite easy to apply, especially when you want to add small details.
When the water content in the glue evaporates and dries out, you’ll be left with all the shimmery effects of glitter, but without the big mess.
How Long Does Glitter Glue Take To Dry?
Glitter glue is considered dry when all the water content in the glue has evaporated, leaving a clear glittery effect where the glue is applied.
Glitter glue takes anywhere between 30 minutes to a full day to dry, and it’s largely dependent on the brand of glitter glue you’re using, what you’re using it on, and the conditions you’re working in.
Let’s take a look at each of these factors below.
Brand
Although most types of glitter glue have a similar water-based formula, there are some brands that formulate their glitter glue to dry faster than others.
If the glitter glue is formulated to be very durable (for example, if you’re using a washable glitter glue), then it will take much longer to dry. You will need to wait at least 24 hours for the glitter glue to form a strong bond before you can use and wash it.
However, if your glitter glue is designed to just be a top coat, like Mod Podge Extreme Glitter, it can take only a few minutes to dry, and you can safely use your creations after 30 minutes.
If you’re wondering about the drying time of your glitter glue, it’s best to check the brand’s specifications on the label or on the brand’s website.
Use
Because glitter glue is such a versatile product, it can be used on various substrates, including paper, cardstock, plastic, wood, and even non-porous materials like glass and plastic.
The general rule is if the glitter glue is applied on a lightweight and porous material like fabric or paper, it will take less time to dry.
This is because the pores of the material will be able to absorb and dissipate the water content in the glue much faster, so it usually takes no more than an hour for the glue to dry.
However, if you’re using washable glitter glue on fabric, then the glue’s formula will still be the deciding factor for the drying time. As we’ve mentioned, washable glitter glue can take up to a day to dry completely, even if it’s applied on a porous material like fabric.
For non-porous surfaces like glass and plastic, glitter glue can take a long while to dry, and even after it’s dry, the glue may not be able to adhere properly to the non-porous surface. The glue can be easily peeled off these smooth surfaces even after it’s dry.
When working with glass or plastic, you should find a glitter glue formula that works well with these materials (such as Mod Podge Extreme Glitter). It is also best if you wait for at least 24 hours for the glue to dry completely before using your finished product.
Application
There are so many ways to use glitter glue, and depending on the application, it may take more or less time to dry.
For example, if you spread it out thinly on a big surface, the glitter glue will be spread into a thin, even layer, and it will take much faster to dry.
However, if you use glitter glue as an embellishment, and apply it in big clumps, then the glue will be quite thick and will take longer to dry.
Temperature And Humidity
Water will evaporate faster when it’s hot and dry, which is why glitter glue will take much faster to dry if you’re working in a warm, dry area. The water content in the glue will dry out faster, which means it will take less time for the glue to be completely dry.
On the other hand, if you are working in a humid or cold area, you can expect that your glitter glue will take much longer to dry compared to the manufacturer’s indication.
Fortunately, knowing that these factors can affect glitter glue’s drying time can also help you adjust where and when you’re working so that the glue will take less time to dry.
When working with glitter glue, it’s best to work in a dry and warm area so that the glue will dry faster. If you live in a humid area, it’s a good idea to use a dehumidifier so that the glue is not affected by the moisture in the air.
How To Make Glitter Glue Dry Faster
If you are in a bit of a hurry and would like your glitter glue to dry faster, here are some things that you can do to help the water content in the glitter glue evaporate.
Use A Hairdryer
You can use a hair dryer at medium heat to dry the glue faster. Don’t use a high heat setting because there’s a chance that you can scorch the glue and cause it to become yellow.
Then, you can hold the hairdryer about 10 inches from your glitter glue and go over the glue with medium heat. The hairdryer can warp the glue, so make sure that you’re not holding it too close to the glue, and move continuously so that the glue can dry evenly.
When the glue is dry, it will turn clear, with the glitter remaining intact. It will only take a few minutes for the glitter glue to dry, so you can check on it continuously to see if it’s dry.
Fan
If the heat from the hair dryer is a bit intimidating, then you can safely use a fan to air out the glitter glue.
If you’re using a fan, make sure that your paper, fabric, or another substrate won’t move when the fan is blowing on it. You can do this by pining or holding your substrate on a sturdy surface.
Then, position the fan about 20 inches from the glitter glue, and turn it on to a low to medium speed. After about 10 to 15 minutes, you can come to check on the glue to see if it’s dry. The wind from the fan should allow the glitter glue to dry much faster than leaving it on its own.
Sunlight
Sunlight is also a very strong force that can help glitter glue dry super quickly. If it’s sunny outside, you can leave your material out in the sun for about 10 minutes, and the heat from the sun will dry out the glue very quickly.
However, you should know that sunlight is not great for every type of substrate. Dyed fabrics can fade under intense sunlight, so you should not use this method if you have used glitter glue on dyed fabric.
Also, don’t use this method if the weather in your area is humid or if it’s rainy or snowy outside. The humidity will do more harm than good, and the glitter glue may end up taking much longer to dry.
Heater
If you have a heater on in your home, placing your material in front of the heater will also help glitter glue dry much faster. The heat from the heater will allow the water content to evaporate in 10-15 minutes.
Make sure not to place your material directly on the heater because it can scorch your material. Instead, place it about 5 inches away from your heater, and turn the heater to medium warm heat.
Then, you can check back on the material after 10 minutes, and it will likely be already dry!
