Applying flat back rhinestones.
Correct application of your rhinestones will determine if they will stay attached to your project!

HOW TO APPLY YOUR RHINESTONES: The Rhinestones used to attach to garments, whether glue-on or iron on, are flat on the back side. There are two basic types of Flatback Rhinestone. One is the Regular Flatback, more commonly known as the glue-on rhinestone. The other is the Hot Fix Flatback, more commonly known as the iron-on rhinestone. These two types of Flatback have no difference in colors. The only difference is in the method by which they are placed, applied or attached to the fabric or to whatever surface you may want to attach them on to. The weakest link in the rhinestone system is its mirror backing, the coating on the back of a rhinestone is a mirror bonded to the glass. This mirror does not have a very strong bond with the glass and can be pulled free of the glass over time. This is why you may see a silver spot where a rhinestone used to be. When you use heat set rhinestones, only the backing is glued to the fabric. These stones will come loose over time in a washing machine and/or dryer. It is highly advised to hand-wash any items with glued rhinestones, regardless of how they are put on the garment.You will find the setters, glues, settings and Bejeweler here on our website under supplies. 

REGULAR FLATBACK RHINESTONE: Regular Flatback Rhinestones are usually glued to the fabric or surface where you would like to put them. They are flat on the back and are silver foiled. This simply means that the foil used at the back of the rhinestone is silver in color. There are different types of fabric glue that you can use. We recommend glues like E6000 or Aleans Stretchable Glue. They are very good and they dry clear. 

ATTACH RHINESTONES TO PROJECT USING GLUE: 1. Using a cotton swab (I like to use a the ball end of a straight pin) - dab a small amount of glue, the same size as the rhinestone you are using, to the surface of where you want to apply to rhinestone. 2. Pick up the rhinestone with a pair of tweezers, and gently place the rhinestone onto the glue. There should be a small amount of glue around the edges of the rhinetone (this creates a setting for the stone). Be careful not to use to much glue. 3. Lay flat to dry. It may take several hours to dry completely. I use flat back rhinestones with a good quality glue to attach rhinestones to products with a smooth surface - like plastics, metal and glass. 

USING METAL PRONG SETTINGS: The nice thing about this glue-on rhinestone is that it can also be set on the fabric by using a metal setting, usually a Tiffany Setting or a Rim Setting. After you have positioned your rhinestone to your setting, you can then attach it to your fabric by using a setter. Do not dry clean any garment that has any kind of glued stones on it, be it glue or heat fix. Regardless of the manufacturer, the cleaning fluids can denature the glue, cause it to become yellow and brittle, or just plain dissolve it.