Hotfix Flatback Crystals

Hotfix Crystals & Rhinestones from all four leading premium crystal brands in one place. Whether you need Swarovski for Austrian brilliance, Serinity for comparable quality without restrictions, Preciosa MAXIMA for Czech-made crystal or Estella for the most affordable option, find every size, colour and effect below. Genuine precision-cut glass crystal iron-on rhinestones, available in retail and wholesale packs with fast worldwide dispatch.

Shop Hotfix Crystals by Brand

Browse by brand to find the right hotfix crystals for your project: Swarovski hotfix crystals for the world's leading Austrian-made precision flatbacks available to approved customers, Serinity hotfix rhinestones for Austrian-made quality with no approval required, Preciosa MAXIMA hotfix flatbacks for premium Czech-made crystal without restrictions, or Estella hotfix rhinestones for the most accessible price point ideal for high-volume garment embellishment.

What Are Hotfix Crystals?

Hotfix crystals are flatback glass crystal rhinestones with a heat-activated adhesive pre-applied to the flat reverse of the stone. When heat is applied using a hotfix applicator wand, heat press or iron (steam off), the adhesive melts and bonds the crystal permanently to the fabric surface. Also known as iron-on crystals or heat-fix rhinestones, they are the fastest and most popular method for applying crystals to garments, dancewear, costumes and textile accessories at both small and production scale.

The key advantage over non-hotfix is speed. An applicator wand places a single stone in seconds; a heat press applies multiple stones simultaneously across a large area. For fabric applications on garments that will be washed regularly, hotfix provides a strong and reliable bond when applied at the correct temperature and pressure. Note that hotfix crystals are not suitable for nail art or any surface that cannot withstand the heat required to activate the adhesive.

Which Brand Is Right for You?

All four brands are glass crystal hotfix flatbacks but differ in origin, cutting technology, quality level and access requirements.

Swarovski — the world's leading crystal brand, manufactured in Austria with the patented Xirius 16-facet starburst cut for the highest possible brilliance. Available to approved customers only. Apply online to access.
Serinity — Austrian-made premium hotfix flatbacks created by Bluestreak Crystals, matching Swarovski's Xirius cut specifications and platinum foiling. No approval required, available immediately at around 10% below Swarovski pricing.
Preciosa MAXIMA — Czech-made precision hotfix flatbacks with the Chaton Rose Maxima cut (up to 18 facets). Excellent quality at an accessible price. Open to all buyers with no application needed.
Estella — created by Bluestreak Crystals; the most affordable hotfix option. Genuine glass crystal flatbacks ideal for high-volume garment embellishment and budget-conscious projects. No approval or application required.

What Size Hotfix Crystals Should I Use?

Hotfix crystals use the SS (stone size) system across all four brands, making cross-brand comparison and size mixing straightforward. SS6 (2.0mm) and SS10 (2.8mm) are among the most popular sizes for detailed garment embellishment and dancewear. SS16 (4.0mm) and SS20 (4.7mm) are widely used for all-over coverage on bodices, skirts and costumes. SS30 (6.4mm) and above are used as statement focal stones and for bold, high-impact patterns.

What Are Hotfix Crystals Used For?

Hotfix crystals are the professional choice for any garment or textile application where fast, secure crystal placement is needed. They are not suitable for nail art or heat-sensitive surfaces.

Dancewear and performance costumes
Bridal and occasion gowns
Fashion garments, T-shirts and knitwear
Accessories including bags, shoes and hats
Soft furnishings and home décor

Apply using a hotfix applicator wand for individual stone placement, or a heat press for large-scale production work where multiple stones can be set simultaneously.

Hotfix vs Non-Hotfix: Which Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on your surface, application method and the level of durability required.

Hotfix crystals — heat-activated adhesive pre-applied to the reverse. Bond to fabric when heated using a wand, press or iron. The fastest method for fabric and textile embellishment. Strong bond on most woven and knitted fabrics.
Non-hotfix crystals — no pre-applied adhesive; bonded using jewellery glue, fabric adhesive or nail glue depending on the surface. More versatile: suitable for glass, metal, plastic, leather and nails as well as fabric. Browse non-hotfix flatback crystals.
Sew-on crystals — pre-drilled holes for permanent stitching onto fabric. The most durable long-term fixing for high-movement performance costumes. Browse sew-on crystals.

Design with Hotfix Crystals

Hotfix crystals combine beautifully alongside non-hotfix flatbacks and sew-on crystals within the same design, using multiple fixing methods across different areas of a garment or costume. To complete your toolkit, browse our full range of tools and accessories including hotfix applicator wands, heat presses and tweezers. For project ideas and step-by-step application guides, visit the Bluestreak Craft Studio.

Why Buy Hotfix Crystals from Bluestreak?

Bluestreak Crystals is the only supplier stocking hotfix crystals from all four leading brands under one roof, as an official Swarovski Authorised Distribution Partner, official Preciosa Authorised Partner, and the creator of both Serinity and Estella. Every crystal is sourced directly and guaranteed genuine, with same or next working day dispatch on the majority of orders worldwide.

All brands are available in retail and wholesale packs with no minimum order. Buy a sample pack before committing to a large order, use our digital colour guides for confident colour matching, or apply for a Bluestreak trade account for discounted wholesale pricing on regular large-volume orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are hotfix crystals? ▾

Hotfix crystals are flatback glass crystal rhinestones with a heat-activated adhesive pre-applied to the reverse. When heat is applied using a hotfix applicator wand, heat press or iron (steam off), the adhesive melts and bonds the crystal permanently to the fabric surface. Also known as iron-on crystals or heat-fix rhinestones, they are the fastest method for applying crystals to garments and textiles at both small-scale and production volume. Available across four brands at Bluestreak: Swarovski, Serinity, Preciosa and Estella.

What is the difference between hotfix and non-hotfix crystals? ▾

Hotfix crystals have a heat-activated adhesive pre-applied to the flat back and bond to fabric when heat is applied, making them the fastest method for fabric embellishment. Non-hotfix crystals have no pre-applied adhesive and are bonded using jewellery glue, fabric adhesive or nail glue depending on the surface, making them more versatile across a wider range of surfaces including glass, metal, plastic, leather and nails. For performance costumes where maximum long-term security is essential, sew-on crystals provide the most durable attachment of all three methods.

What tool do I need to apply hotfix crystals? ▾

A hotfix applicator wand is the most widely used tool for individual crystal placement, using heat conducted through a metal tip to activate the adhesive on the reverse of each stone. A heat press applies heat and pressure simultaneously across a larger area, making it ideal for production-scale embellishment where multiple stones are applied in a single press cycle. A domestic iron (steam off, set to the correct temperature for the fabric) can also be used for smaller projects, though precision of placement is more difficult than with a dedicated applicator wand. Browse our full range of tools and accessories for the complete hotfix application tool range.

What fabrics are hotfix crystals suitable for? ▾

Hotfix crystals are suitable for most woven and knitted fabrics that can withstand the heat required to activate the adhesive, including polyester, cotton, lycra, chiffon, satin, denim and velvet. They are not suitable for very delicate heat-sensitive fabrics such as organza or certain silk types, or for surfaces that cannot accept heat such as leather, plastic, glass or nails. For these surfaces, non-hotfix crystals bonded with the appropriate adhesive are the correct choice.

Do I need to apply to buy hotfix crystals? ▾

Only for Swarovski. Serinity, Preciosa and Estella hotfix crystals are all available to purchase immediately with no application, approval or brand agreement required. Swarovski hotfix crystals require an approved application before purchase. If you are not yet approved for Swarovski, Serinity offers Austrian-made quality with comparable brilliance, available immediately with no approval required.

What is the difference between Swarovski, Serinity, Preciosa and Estella hotfix crystals? ▾

All four are glass crystal hotfix flatbacks but differ in origin, quality and price. Swarovski is Austrian-made with the patented Xirius 16-facet starburst cut for the highest brilliance, available to approved customers only. Serinity is also Austrian-made, created by Bluestreak Crystals to Swarovski-equivalent specifications, available to all at approximately 10% below Swarovski. Preciosa MAXIMA is Czech-made with up to 18 facets and excellent colour range at an accessible price, also unrestricted. Estella is Bluestreak's most affordable hotfix range, ideal for high-volume projects where cost efficiency is the priority.

What size hotfix crystals should I use? ▾

The right hotfix crystal size depends on the area being embellished and the scale of the design. SS6 (2.0mm) and SS10 (2.8mm) are ideal for detailed work and small-scale designs. SS16 (4.0mm) and SS20 (4.7mm) are the most popular sizes for all-over coverage on bodices, skirts and costumes. SS30 (6.4mm) and above are used as focal stones and for bold statement embellishment. Mixing sizes within a single design creates depth and a more professional finish. All four brands use the same SS sizing system for easy cross-brand comparison.

Can hotfix crystals be washed? ▾

Yes, when applied correctly at the right temperature and pressure, hotfix crystals provide a wash-resistant bond on most fabrics. For best results, turn the garment inside out before washing, use a gentle cycle at low temperature, and avoid tumble drying on high heat. Dry cleaning is safe for most hotfix applications. For performance costumes and garments subjected to intense physical use, sew-on crystals provide a more permanently secure attachment than hotfix and are generally recommended over hotfix for high-movement dancewear.