What’s the Difference between Hotfix and Non-Hotfix Swarovski Flat Back Crystals?

Are you trying to figure out whether it’s best to buy hotfix or non-hotfix crystals?

When you’re just starting out using crystals to enhance your clothing, it can be difficult knowing which ones to opt for. The advice online can be confusing for beginners, leading them to make the wrong purchase. If you want to save time and money, and ensure your designs look perfect, it’s important to understand the difference between the two.

To help, below you’ll discover the main differences between hotfix crystals and non-hotfix crystals.

What’s the main difference?

The main difference between hotfix and non-hotfix crystals is the way they’re used on clothing.

Hotfix crystals come with an adhesive which activates through heat. This means that, to apply them, you will need to use a hot object such as an iron (without steam) or hotfix applicator, to stick the crystals to your clothes. Of course, if you need to create a lot of clothing to sell to your customers, using an iron isn’t going to be time-efficient! Instead, a hotfix applicator would be good to have on hand. This will speed up production and ensure plenty of heat is used to secure the crystals into place.

Non-hotfix crystals, on the other hand, need to be secured with glue. You’ll need a Wax Pencil or Crystal Katana to make adding them to your clothing cleaner and easier. The lack of heat means they’re easier to work with, but you will need to pay attention to the glue you’re using. Remember, the clothes will typically be washed in a washing machine. So, if you don’t use the right type, the crystals could easily become loose and even fall off entirely. Of course, you can buy the glue and other supplies you need from Bluestreak!

How do you know which ones to use?

So, now you know the main difference between hotfix and non-hotfix crystals, the question is which should you buy?

Well, it largely depends upon how many pieces of clothing you’ll be attaching the crystals to. If you have a lot of clothes to add crystals to, you’ll want to opt for the hotfix crystals. This is because using heat to secure the crystals onto the clothing is much quicker than using tweezers and glue! Non-hotfix crystals are somewhat fiddlier, so are best suited for smaller craft projects.

Overall, there are pros and cons of both hotfix and non-hotfix crystals. However, it is important to be aware of the differences between them before deciding which to use to decorate your clothing. The above advice should help you to make the best choice!