How do you hide staples in upholstery?

Author: Prof. Haskell O'Connell  |  Last update: Saturday, June 28, 2025

Gimp Braid To use gimp trim to hide staples or tacks, simply attach the trim over the staples or tacks with fabric glue, hot glue, or gimp pins. The trim will not only cover the staples or tacks but will also add a decorative element to the piece.

What can I use to cover staples?

To get the best results, use tack-strips when there is still a bit of upholstering work to do. For example, suppose a corner of your piece has already been stapled down, but another in the same area still needs attention. If so, this is the perfect time to pull out a tack strip.

What can I use instead of upholstery staples?

Tack strips are the secret to clean, professional-looking upholstery projects. They are used underneath the fabric to create crisp edges and to secure the fabric in place without visible staples.

What is the best staple gun for DIY upholstery?

The BeA 71/16-421 or 401 is basically the gold standard for upholstery staple guns. I own an upholstery business and we have a dozen of them. My gun is 20+ years old. You cab usually pick up a used one on ebay for around $100ish.

How to cover upholstery edges?

Lay a piece of fabric, reverse-side up, over the edge that you need to cover, with an inch or two of excess to fold underneath. Push the tack strip as far into the seam's edge as possible, and attach with tack pins or staples.

Upholstery Tack Strip Demo - How to Use

How do you cover fabric edges?

Use Binding

This method covers the edges with a neat fabric strip. Choose your binding: You can buy ready-made bias tape or make your own from a piece of fabric. Cut the binding: If you're making it, cut strips on the bias (diagonally) so it stretches around curves.

What is edge roll in upholstery?

An edge roll creates the firm base to support a seat, the top edge of a seat back, or a firm sofa arm. It's quite a particular feel, since it is strong enough to retain a shape once sat on, but not so hard to be uncomfortable. Just firm, horsehair does this perfectly whilst being able to withstand years of use.

Do you need a special staple gun for upholstery?

There are pneumatic staple guns, electric staple guns, and hand-held staple guns. Any of those could work, but the ones that I feel work best for upholstery are the pneumatic staple guns. The difference is the pneumatic staple guns have more power.

Are there special staples for upholstery?

Almost any fine wire and medium wire staples can be used for upholstery, depending on your fabric. 20 and 22 gauge staples are the most common staples for upholstery. #7 series staples 22 Gauge, #8 (80) series staples 20 Gauge, and T-50 series staples 20 Gauge are commonly used for these applications.

How to hide upholstery staples?

To use gimp trim to hide staples or tacks, simply attach the trim over the staples or tacks with fabric glue, hot glue, or gimp pins. The trim will not only cover the staples or tacks but will also add a decorative element to the piece.

What are the most common upholstery staples?

Fine wire staples are the most common type for upholstery and framing because it has a minimal effect when attaching fabric (textiles) to wood or plastic. And it is the go-to wire when you work with breathable membrane or vinyl.

What can I use instead of staples?

Not a fan of paper clips? Wish your stapler had an infinite supply of staples? The Paper Fix is a stapler-substitute that binds paper together using just the paper itself.

What do you put over staples?

After you wash your stitches or staples, pat them dry and put an antibiotic ointment on them. Cover your stitches or staples with a bandage or gauze, unless your doctor or nurse tells you not to.

How to attach upholstery trim?

Attaching Upholstery Braid with Glue:

Make sure to apply pressure for a few seconds to ensure the glue binds with the fabric. Continue the same process, working on a few inches on gimp braid at a time. Once you have finished one side, trim the excess braiding leaving 1-2cm to fold over and hide the joint.

What is a good stapler for upholstery?

A pneumatic staple gun is the best staple gun for heavy-duty DIY projects like carpentry, flooring, and upholstery. They use compressed air to powerfully push staples into materials like hardwood, and they are known for both speed and accuracy.

Can you staple fabric to couch?

You can reupholster many pieces of old furniture yourself with new fabric. This is both easier and more efficient to do using a staple gun. You always have one hand free so you can do the job quickly and achieve lasting results.

What size are upholstery staples?

This type has a crown of 10.6mm a leg length 6mm – 12mm and is has a flat gauge wire. This helps the staple to rest on the material and not guillotine or break it.

What kind of staple gun is best for upholstery sofas?

The Short Nose Staple Gun (#121410) is the industry standard. An upholsterer can do a majority of stapling with the standard shorter nose. It's suitable for small, simple projects and novice upholsterers. It's also lighter weight than the long nose.

What gauge staples to use for upholstery?

Fine wire staples range from 20-22 gauge. These staples are ideal for upholstery projects, cabinets, fine wood trim, batten strips, picture frame fitting, wood baskets, plastic parts, molding and furniture assembly.

What is the difference between a stapler and a staple gun?

Unlike office staplers, some staple guns lack an anvil, the metal plate with curved slots that office staplers use to bend the legs of the staple inwards or outwards and flatten them against the paper. Other staple guns have integral anvils.

What is the edging on upholstery called?

Welting: A cord enclosed by the fabric used to outline the seams of upholstery fabric on furniture is called welting. In Upholstery Glossary Welting is done to outline the edges and define the silhouette of the upholstery.

What is fluting in upholstery?

Fluted upholstery is a very old style which became incredibly popular after deep buttoning. Fluted upholstery has a simple yet elegant design, characterised by its shallow curves and grooves.

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