Hot Glue Guide: 19 Tips and Crafts You Can Do With Your Hot Glue Gun

Let’s go on a hot glue adventure — from low-temp to high-temp, basics to advanced and even ways to clean up those pesky hot glue wisps. Then grab a glue gun and make these nine easy DIYs, including the cutest little cactus push-pins and a party-ready balloon arch.

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November 15, 2021

By: Rachael Jones and Danielle Boaz

Show: HGTV Handmade

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Photo By: Sarah Busby

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

Photo By: Sarah Busby

Hot Glue Rules

At HGTV, we think hot glue is the unsung hero of the crafting world, leaving a lasting (or temporary) bond on countless DIY projects — and we’ve got the tiny burns to prove it. Check out our roundup of need-to-know basics, a handful of our favorite hot glue crafts and hot hacks to safely up your glue game.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Low-Temp or Hot-Temp?

Glue guns sold at the craft store come in two varieties: cordless and corded. Many of them also feature a switch that flips from low temperature, 260 degrees Fahrenheit, to high temperature, 383 degrees Fahrenheit. Low-temp glue guns are best for small projects and perfect for everyday use. High-temp glue guns are used for stronger adhesive bonds. For most DIY projects, we recommend the basic, corded hot glue gun as they cool quickly and there's no need to charge between projects.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

All the Colors

Clear glue sticks are pretty common. But you'll be surprised to know there are a wide variety of colors on the market, from bright rainbow hues to glamorous glitter.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Try It: Jute-Wrapped Jar

Now that we've covered most of the hot glue rules, try making some temporary decor using hot glue. Glass is a slick surface which makes it difficult for hot glue to create a permanent bond, which can be a good thing for temporary projects. Dress up a simple glass jar for a party with some twine. Layer jute around the glass, securing it with dabs of hot glue. Then, when the party is over, simply pull the twine from the jar. Tip: Avoid tiny burns by wearing a silicone finger guard.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Try It: Wax Seal the Deal

Hot glue can do that! These bronze wax seal sticks are great for wedding and party invitations, especially if you have hundreds to do. First, place your stamps in an ice bath while you wait for the glue gun to heat up. Then, wipe off any water from the stamp. Add a little dab of the wax seal to the envelope and place the metal stamp on it. Let it sit for about 10 seconds.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Try It: Mini Cactus Push-Pins

Craft up the cutest little cactus push-pins this side of the desert. Put one green hot glue stick into a low-temp glue gun. Once hot, fill the cactus silicone mold with melted green glue. Add a push-pin to the center, pin facing up. Once dry, pop the cacti out of the mold and add a mini pom-pom to each with a hot glue gun. Enjoy!

Get the How-To: Make These Cute Cactus Push-Pins With Hot Glue

Try It: Confetti Cake Topper

Make this quick confetti cake topper with hot glue, a wooden skewer and some confetti. Start by layering hot glue in your desired letter or number on a silicone mat. For this project, Danielle makes the letter "C." Add enough glue so the letter is thick enough to place a wooden skewer in the center. Then add another layer of hot glue over the wooden stick. Next, add generous handfuls of confetti to the hot glue before it dries. Once dry, flip the letter over and repeat the steps above to add confetti to the other side. Shake off any excess and use as a cute birthday cake topper.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Try It: Hot Glue Balloon Arch

One of our favorite ways to use balloons is to make a fun balloon arch. It’s a really affordable way to make a really big, graphic statement at a party. Simply use a low-temp hot glue gun to adhere balloons together in an arch shape. Tip: Make sure to use a low-temp glue gun; high-temp glue guns will pop the balloons immediately.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Try It: Graduation Cap Details

Add this Surebonder Glue Skillet to your crafting supplies kit. HGTV Handmade's Gabriela Hardan adds floral details to a simple graduation cap. "This makes hot-gluing small materials and crafts easier; all you need to do is dip and stick," she says. "It's also fun to watch the glue melt and dip stuff in it. I didn't even burn myself using it like I usually do with a hot glue gun."

Get the How-To: The HGTV Handmade Crew's Favorite Home Craft Essentials

Try It: Dressed Up Gift Bag

Have a plain paper gift bag that needs a little something extra? Simply cut out a fun paper shape and affix it to the bag with hot glue. Hot glue works best with paper because it bonds permanently, doesn't get your material wet and won't leave a stain.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Try It: Wood Block Stamp

You can even use hot glue to make a custom ink stamp. Grab a small block of wood. Use a low-temp hot glue gun to add rows of glue in the desired shape. Once dry, place the wood stamp design into ink and spruce up a gift bag, letter or box with custom decorations.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Try It: Felt Shapes

Felt works fabulous with hot glue. Try layering felt to make kid-friendly shapes like the moon, stars or flowers. Tip: If you’re gluing felt to felt, it’s important to use a high-temp hot glue gun.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Try It: Pom-Pom Pillow

Fabric hot glue is something we use often at HGTV — and it’s great because it’s washable. We hot glued pom-poms to this pillow, put it in the wash on cold and tumble dried on low for 30 minutes.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Hot Glue Hack: Hair Dryer

One of the worst parts about crafting with hot glue, besides minimal burns, are the little glue strings and wisps that get everywhere. Simply use a hair dryer to make them quickly disappear.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Hot Glue Hack: Heat Gun

We all make mistakes when crafting with hot glue. If this happens to you, grab a heat gun, hover over the area that needs adjusting and then reposition while the glue is warm. Simple as that!

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Hot Glue Hack: Crafting Coils

Speed up any hot glue project with a hot glue coil. These glue loops are five feet long and make adding glue sticks between projects a thing of the past.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Hot Glue Hack: A Dab Will Do

For an extra-strong hold when working with paint, add a few dabs of hot glue to the back of your DIY project and affix it to a silicone mat. Once the paint is dry, the hot glue will peel right off. If you don't have a silicone mat, you can do the same thing with a sheet of paper.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Hot Glue Hack: Faux Clamp

While hot glue works for smaller wood projects like balsa wood or particle board, we recommend using wood glue for larger DIY crafts. But, we discovered a great hack that allows hot glue to act as a clamp while wood glue dries. Start by adding a row of wood glue first. Then add hot glue around the edges and middle of the wood. Hold the pieces in place for about 20 seconds until the hot glue dries. Once secure, let the wood glue dry for 24-hours.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Hot Glue Hack: Ice Bowl

When working with hot glue, we've found it's best to keep a bowl of ice water close by just in case you do happen to burn yourself. The ice water quickly relieves the pain.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

P.S. You Can't Hot Glue Rocks

Last, but not least: rocks. We don’t recommend hot glueing rocks, especially if you're hot glueing them to other rocks. Rocks are not porous and don't bond well with hot glue. If you must glue rocks, try using epoxy.

Watch The Video: Your Hot Glue Gun Can Do WHAT?!

Hot Glue Guide: 19 Tips and Crafts You Can Do With Your Hot Glue Gun

Related To:

Shop This Look

Hot Glue Rules

Low-Temp or Hot-Temp?

All the Colors

Try It: Jute-Wrapped Jar

Try It: Wax Seal the Deal

Try It: Mini Cactus Push-Pins

Try It: Confetti Cake Topper

Try It: Hot Glue Balloon Arch

Try It: Graduation Cap Details

Try It: Dressed Up Gift Bag

Try It: Wood Block Stamp

Try It: Felt Shapes

Try It: Pom-Pom Pillow

Hot Glue Hack: Hair Dryer

Hot Glue Hack: Heat Gun

Hot Glue Hack: Crafting Coils

Hot Glue Hack: A Dab Will Do

Hot Glue Hack: Faux Clamp

Hot Glue Hack: Ice Bowl

P.S. You Can't Hot Glue Rocks

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