What's better? Hotfix or Non-Hotfix?
Back to topThere's a few ways to look at hotfix vs non-hotfix....
1. Hotfix can be tidier if anyone finds that mastering a tidy adhesion with glue is difficult.
2. Hotfixed garments are also more suited to manufacturing for onselling/retail, as hand/machine-washing isn't an issue with stone adhesion when you've used Hotfix stones of a reputable quality. Glue however has quite specific washing needs and needs more attention when washing. Many in the manufacturing industry who glue their rhinestones get around the washing issue by ensuring their clients know of the limitations of wear and tear on such specialist garments with glued rhinestones before they buy. Specific washing instructions according to the glue manufacturers' recommendations are very important to know and pass on in these situations. (All garments with rhinestones should be treated as specialist garments in our opinion. A garment bag at the very least for hotfixed items, or hand-washed at room temperature for glued items, or avoiding washing altogether if unsure. They are crystals after all!)
3. Hotfixing can be more expensive if you plan on using Swarovski, as the Swarovski Hotfix stones are most expensive than Swarovski non-hotfix stones. If you plan to use the Hotfix Arabesque stones though - it's a cheap and clean way, but the sizes and colours are limited and you don't get that 'special' look of the Swarovski and Preciosa. When deciding between hotfix vs non-hotfix you also need to weigh up the cost of the Hotfix Applicator against the glue cost. The Applicator has a long life - the glues get used up of course and need to be replaced.
4. And finally there's the time factor - hotfixing individual stones is more time-consuming than dabbing several spots of glue in one go on your fabric, and then stoning as you go. We find that it's a ratio of about 8 stones gluing vs 1 stone hotfixing.
