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Mother and daughter smiling in a kitchen while crafting with Prestik, next to Bostik mascot Tacky

Explore our range of craft glues and stationery adhesives including our Hobby Craft PVA Glue, Glu Sticks, Glu Dots and our best-selling adhesive tack, Blu Tack®. Carefully designed by experts, our craft and stationery glues are safe and easy to use, and offer a permanent or flexible solution for all craft activities.

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Step-by-step tutorials

Watch our stationery adhesives and craft glues in action. Discover hints and tips for how to use each product and get your hands on our craft ideas and step-by-step guidance to inspire your next creative project.

We’ve got plenty of #CraftWithBostik video tutorials to keep you or your little ones entertained!

DISCOVER TUTORIALS

Frequently asked questions

Are glue gun sticks toxic?

No, Bostik Hot Glue Sticks are non-toxic and suitable for a wide range of craft, hobby and DIY applications.

Although Bostik Hot Glue Sticks are non-toxic, the melted adhesive and glue gun nozzle can become very hot during use. Always follow the product instructions and take care when handling hot adhesive.

Can I use any glue sticks with my glue gun?

No - using the wrong glue sticks could block and damage your Bostik glue gun. We have two variations of glue gun, HG3 Hot Melt Glue Gun and Mini Hot Melt Glue Gun and each of our glue guns have specific glue sticks that are available.

Can I use Blu Stik with my photos?

Bostik Blu Stick is acid-free so it's safe to use with your photos.

Does Hobby Craft PVA Glue dry clear?

Bostik PVA Glue is white when applied and dries clear, also referred to as drying transparent or opalescent. 

Can PVA glue stick to leather and fabric?

Yes, Bostik PVA Glue can bond to leather and many fabrics, making it suitable for light-duty repairs, crafts and hobby projects. 

For stronger, more flexible and longer-lasting bonds, use Bostik Leather Glue for leather and imitation leather, or Bostik Fabric Glue for fabric repairs and textile applications.

Can you buy Blu Tack® in different colours?

Blu Tack® is also available in a 5 colour pack - pink, green, blue, yellow & orange.

Does Blu Stik dry as a blue colour?

Bostik Blu Stick is a great way to show you where you've applied your glue, but it actually dries totally clear!

Should you remove a Glue Stick from a glue gun?

No, a partially used Glue Stick is usually best left inside the glue gun until you need it again. Attempting to remove the adhesive may interfere with the internal feed mechanism and could affect the performance of the tool.

If part of the Glue Stick extends beyond the back of the glue gun, it can be trimmed carefully. When the remaining Glue Stick becomes too short to feed properly, simply insert another Glue Stick and continue working as normal.

How do I know how to stick two materials together?

Discover our new Bostik Glue Guide to discover what product to use.

How do you get Blu Tack® off wallpaper?

Blu Tack®'s adhesiveness increases over time so take extra care if it's been on there a while. We'd recommend rolling it gently as you can then using what you can get off to dab any remaining bits.

How do you get Blu Tack® out of hair / clothes / carpet?

HAIR: Pour a decent amount of baby oil onto the area where the Blu Tack® is stuck. Work the baby oil into the Blu Tack, but don't try and pull it out yet! Leave the baby oil to soak in for about 5 minutes, then you should be able to pull the Blu Tack® out.

CLOTHES: Try freezing the Blu Tack® to scrape as much off as you can, then dab any remaining with a cotton ball dipped in vegetable oil.

CARPET: Trodden on Blu Tack® can really stick. Remove it by heating the area with a hairdryer - warmed up Blu Tack® is easier to pry off. Still needs work? Blot it with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of washing-up liquid and 1 cup of warm water. You can find step for step information in our dedicated How to:

How long does it take for Bostik PVA glue to dry? 

Drying time depends on the material being bonded. Like most craft glues, Bostik PVA Glue reaches full cure on paper and card in around 12 hours. On wood, full cure takes around 24 hours. For the neatest finish, leave the project flat and avoid handling it while the bond develops.

How much weight can Blu Tack® hold?

0.5 grams of Blu Tack® will hold an approximate 105 gram load, but Blu Tack® is not designed to hold heavy objects.

How do you remove Spray Adhesive?

Spray Adhesive can usually be removed by gently dabbing the residue with a clean cloth lightly dampened with white spirit. This helps soften the adhesive and makes it easier to remove from the surface.

For best results, clean adhesive residue as soon as possible after application. Before treating a larger area, test the cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous section of the surface to check compatibility.

How do you clean up Glu Stik?

If you get Bostik Glu Stik on a surface by accident, remove as much of the adhesive as possible and clean the area as soon as possible.

Because Bostik Glu Stik is water-soluble, it can be cleaned away using water. The most suitable cleaning method may vary depending on the surface or material involved, so test on a small area first where appropriate.

Is Blu Tack® tested on animals?

No, Bostik Blu Tack® is not tested on animals and does not contain ingredients made from animal by-products.

This makes Bostik Blu Tack® a reusable adhesive option for users looking to avoid animal testing and animal-derived ingredients.

Is Bostik Spray Adhesive flammable?

Most solvent-based adhesives are flammable. When using Spray Adhesive always work in a ventilated area and do not breathe in vapours. Avoid exposing the product to any ignition sources. Do not smoke when working with adhesives.

Is Glu Stik safe for school projects?

Yes, Bostik Glu Stik is a non-toxic adhesive designed for school activities, craft projects and everyday creative use and safe for children. 

Its water-soluble formula allows for easy cleanup, making it suitable for classrooms, homework projects and arts-and-crafts activities. As with any adhesive, use the product according to the instructions and provide appropriate supervision where needed.

Is PVA glue a liquid?

Yes. Bostik PVA Glue is supplied as a liquid glue in an easy-to-use plastic bottle with a resealable cap. It is ready to apply straight from the bottle and can be used for arts and crafts projects, modelling, woodworking, school projects and other simple creative tasks.

Is swallowing Blu Tack® dangerous?

Blu Tack® is a non-toxic, non-harmful substance and will not cause any problems if swallowed, only mild discomfort. If any discomfort experienced continues, we recommend seeking medical advice.

Is glue gun glue waterproof?

Yes, glue gun glue is highly water resistant and can withstand exposure to moisture in many everyday applications. Once fully cooled and cured, the adhesive forms a durable bond that can also resist temperature fluctuations and general wear.

For the best results, always ensure surfaces are clean and dry before applying glue gun adhesive.

What should I do if glue stick gets in a child's eye?

If glue stick gets in a child's eye, rinse the affected eye immediately with plenty of clean water. Continue rinsing thoroughly to help remove any residue.

If irritation, discomfort or redness continues after rinsing, seek medical advice or professional healthcare assistance as soon as possible.

What age range is Blu Tack® suitable for?

Blu Tack® is great for both children and adults, however we advise not giving it to children under the age of three.

What are Glu Dots used for?

Bostik Glu Dots are removable adhesive dots designed for arts, crafts and creative projects. They provide an instant bond and are commonly used for scrapbooking, card making, collages and model making.

They are particularly useful for attaching embellishments such as beads, sequins, rhinestones and wiggly eyes without the need for liquid adhesive.

Glu Dots can be used on a variety of materials, including paper, wood, plastic, metal and glass, making them a practical choice for hobby, school and craft applications.

What are the recommended uses of Glu Dots? 

Bostik Glu Dots Removable are ideal for arts & craft, scrapbooking, card marking, collages and model making. Bostik Glu Dots Removable are the perfect size to allow for precise and accurate placing of small objects such as sequins, beads, rhinestones, wiggly eyes and many other craft embellishments. Bostik Glu Dots Removable stick to almost anything, including paper, wood, plastic, metal and glass.

How does viscosity affect adhesive performance?

Viscosity refers to how thick or fluid an adhesive is. Lower-viscosity adhesives flow more easily, while higher-viscosity adhesives are thicker and provide greater control during application.

The viscosity of an adhesive can influence how it spreads, fills gaps and performs on vertical surfaces, making it an important factor when selecting the right product for a project.

What is PVA Glu?

Bostik PVA Glue is a solvent-free, general-purpose adhesive that dries clear and is commonly used for arts and crafts, school projects and creative activities.

It is suitable for materials such as paper, card, wood and fabric, making it a popular choice for scrapbooking, card making, modelling and other hobby and craft applications.

What is the shelf life of the adhesive I have bought and where can I store it?

The shelf life of adhesives varies from product to product, but typically ranges between one and two years from the date of manufacture when unopened and stored correctly in dry conditions - usually between +5°C and +25°C. Once opened, the life of the product will be more limited – this is dictated by variables including the type of adhesive, how it is stored, and how much adhesive is left unused. For more information, refer to the product’s Technical Data Sheet.

What surfaces can Blu Tack® stick to?

Blu Tack® can be used on non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal and plastic, as well as painted surfaces and vinyl coated wallpaper.

When will Blu Tack® stick best?

Surfaces must be clean and dry, and free from grease or loose materials to work best. If a room or surface conditions are too hot (over 70°C), Blu Tack® will soften and become more difficult to secure items in place.

Where is best place to store Blu Tack®?

Pop it in a tightly closed container in a dry, cool and well-ventilated location.

Will Blu Tack® leave a stain?

On some surfaces, after a long period of time, Blu Tack® can leave a slight oily mark. This can be removed using removers like citrus oils and desolvers, but as per the guidance of the suppliers. Before using these products, we recommend you test on a small inconspicuous area.

Will Bostik Glu Dots stain fabric, walls or photos?

Bostik Glu Dots are acid and lignin-free and are non-toxic so they will not stain or leave a sticky residue behind when applied to fabric, walls or photos.

How long do glue guns last?

The lifespan of a glue gun can vary depending on how often it is used and how well it is maintained. In many cases, glue guns can provide reliable performance for years when used correctly and kept free from blockages.

One of the most common causes of glue gun problems is a jammed glue stick. Using the correct glue sticks for your glue gun can help prevent blockages and keep the tool working effectively for longer.

Is PVA glue the same as school glue?

Bostik PVA Glue is suitable for school projects and is ideal for both schools and home, but it is not described as “just school glue.” It bonds to fabric, but it is not described as the same as fabric glue. Information about leather glue is not available in the provided source.

Bostik PVA Glue is described as a multi-purpose, solvent free white glue and as a general purpose PVA glue, but the provided source does not state that all multi-purpose glues are PVA glues. 

What is Spray Adhesive and how to use it?

Spray Adhesive is a permanent contact adhesive in an aerosol format. It applies as a mist and is suitable for bonding a wide variety of materials including paper, card, foam, leather, rubber, plastic, metal, wood, stone and even concrete.

Simple and easy-to-use in a few seconds, our Spray Adhesive caters to all kinds of craft and DIY needs, whether that’s craft creations, furniture repairs, clothing repairs and more.

Simply shake to wake, spray from 15 to 20 cm, allow to dry for a few seconds, line up your surfaces and press together to stick.

What is the difference between a hot melt glue gun and cool melt glue gun?

The Bostik HG3 Hot Melt Glue Gun and Mini Hot Melt Glue Gun operates at a high temperature and is great for providing an ultra strong, long-lasting bond for challenging materials such as polypropylene, plastics, ABS, acrylics and even metals. 

Cool Melt Glue Guns operates at a lower temperature and is commonly used for bonding heat-sensitive materials such as styro-foam, ribbon and polystyrene, which a hot glue gun could melt. Plus, with being cooler, they can be safer to use, which is great for younger crafters or in school environments.

What is the difference between PVA glue and other glues?

Bostik PVA Glue is a water-based, general-purpose adhesive that dries clear and is commonly used for arts and crafts, school projects, paper, card, wood and fabric applications.

Unlike some other adhesives, Bostik PVA Glue is specifically designed for creative and hobby projects where ease of use and a clear finish are important. Different types of glue are formulated for different materials and applications, so the best choice depends on the project you are working on.

 

What is the shelf life of Glu Dots? 

24 months, unopened, from date of manufacture. Store in dry conditions between +5⁰ C and +25⁰ C

What materials does PVA Glue stick to?

Bostik PVA Glue is best suited to porous materials such as wood, paper, card and fabric. It is commonly used for DIY, craft and woodworking projects where a strong and reliable bond is required.

For the best results, apply Bostik PVA Glue to clean, dry surfaces. PVA Glue is generally less effective on non-porous materials such as glass, metal and many plastics.

When should you use PVA glue?

Use Bostik PVA Glue when bonding porous materials such as paper, card, wood and fabric. Its solvent-free formula makes it a popular choice for arts, crafts, school projects and general creative applications.

If you're working with leather or need a dedicated fabric repair adhesive, Bostik Leather Glue and Bostik Fabric Glue are designed specifically for those applications and materials.

Stuck on what glue to use?

Gary

Use this guide to find out what product to use for your job.

Start the Glue Guide