Copydex has been discontinued by the manufacturer — production has stopped for good. Larger sizes went first, and the 50ml bottle was the last one still being made before the whole range ended. We’re one of the few UK stockists with genuine stock still on the shelf, at just £6.99. Once what’s left across the UK sells out, there won’t be any more — not from us, not from anyone.
If you’ve used Copydex for years and have only just heard the news, you’re not alone — crafters, modellers, dressmakers and soft toy repairers across the UK have all been asking the same question: where can you still actually buy it? Below you’ll find why it was discontinued, how to grab what’s left, and every genuine use for the bottle once you’ve got your hands on one.
- Status: Discontinued by the manufacturer — no further production, ever
- What’s left: the 50ml bottle, the last size still being made before the range ended
- Price: Copydex Adhesive — £6.99, real stock, while it lasts
Why Has Copydex Been Discontinued?
Production Has Stopped For Good — Here’s What We Know
The manufacturer has discontinued Copydex entirely. Larger sizes — the 125ml and 500ml bottles — were phased out first, with the 50ml bottle the last size still in production before the whole range came to an end. This isn’t a temporary shortage or a supply chain delay — once the stock already sitting in warehouses and on shelves across the UK is gone, there will be no further production.
That’s left a lot of longtime Copydex users — model makers, dressmakers, upholsterers and soft toy repairers among them — searching for wherever real stock still exists. We can confirm we hold genuine stock of the 50ml bottle right now.
What Is Copydex and How Does It Work?
A Natural Latex Adhesive That Dries Flexible, Not Rigid
Copydex is a rubber latex-based adhesive, not a PVA or solvent glue. That’s the whole reason it’s stuck around for so long: because it’s water-based and solvent-free, it’s safe to use for craft, textile and household jobs without the strong fumes of a contact adhesive. Once it cures, the bond stays flexible and slightly elastic rather than setting hard, which means glued fabric can still stretch and fold, glued carpet edges can still flex underfoot, and a repaired seam won’t crack the next time it’s handled. It’s also genuinely washable once fully dry, which is what makes it so popular for anything that needs to survive a wash cycle — clothing repairs, soft toys, appliqué and hemming among them.
9 Genius Uses for Copydex Adhesive
These are the uses Copydex has been bought for, again and again, across UK homes, workshops and craft rooms — and exactly why so many people are determined to track down the last of it.
Carpet Repairs — Loose Edges, Seams & Curling Carpet Tape
This is the classic Copydex job. A loose carpet edge lifting away from the gripper, a seam between two rooms starting to fray, or carpet tape that’s curled up at a doorway — all of these are a five-minute fix with Copydex rather than a call-out to a fitter. Because it dries flexible instead of rigid, the repaired section keeps moving naturally with foot traffic instead of becoming a stiff, brittle patch that cracks again within weeks. Apply a thin, even layer to both surfaces, let it go tacky for a few minutes, then press together firmly and weight it down while it cures.
Dressmaking — Hemming, Appliqué & Repositionable Fabric Bonding
Dressmakers use Copydex as a genuine alternative to pins and tacking stitches. Applied thinly to a hem or an appliqué patch, it stays workable long enough to reposition the fabric before it sets, then cures to a soft, flexible bond that survives normal washing. It’s especially popular for holding trims, patches and appliqué shapes in place before the final stitching goes in, and for quick no-sew hems on fabrics that don’t fray easily.
Soft Toy & Teddy Bear Repairs — Invisible Mending
Anyone who repairs or makes soft toys professionally will almost certainly have Copydex in their kit. It’s the go-to for reattaching loose fur seams, mending a split at a joint, or fixing backing fabric on a well-loved teddy without leaving a hard, visible glue line. Because the bond stays flexible, repaired joints can still be posed and handled the way a soft toy is meant to be, and because it’s washable, the repair survives the inevitable trip through the washing machine.
Paper Crafts, Card Making & Photo Mounting
Unlike PVA, Copydex doesn’t soak into paper and cause it to wrinkle or cockle, which makes it a favourite among card makers and scrapbookers for mounting photos, layering card and paper elements. It also has a genuinely useful trick: because the bond stays slightly peelable rather than fully rigid, a misplaced piece of card can often be lifted and repositioned cleanly, something a PVA or glue stick won’t allow once it’s grabbed.
School & Kids’ Craft Projects
Being water-based and non-toxic, Copydex has long been a staple of school craft cupboards and kids’ project boxes for jobs a standard glue stick can’t handle — fabric collages, felt work, and sticking down slightly heavier paper or card elements that need a stronger hold than a basic children’s glue can provide.
Costume, Cosplay & Theatrical Prosthetics
Because it’s a natural latex adhesive that’s safe for skin contact and peels away cleanly afterwards, Copydex has a strong following in the costume, cosplay and amateur theatre world. It’s commonly used to secure wig caps and lace fronts, attach latex prosthetic pieces for special-effect makeup, and hold costume trims in place for a single performance without leaving residue. Anyone with a known latex allergy should avoid direct skin contact and patch-test on a small area first.
Leather & Suede Repairs
Copydex bonds leather and suede well for lighter repair jobs — a lifting edge on a leather bag, a loose seam on a slipper, or reattaching a suede patch — where the flexibility of the finished bond matters more than maximum strength. For structural leatherwork joins under real load, a dedicated leather and shoe care product is still the better choice, but for everyday repairs Copydex is more than capable.
Cork Tiles, Cork Boards & Small Flooring Edge Repairs
Copydex was originally developed with cork bonding in mind, and it still handles cork tiles, cork noticeboards and lifted edges on cork flooring cleanly, without the strong solvent smell of a dedicated cork or flooring adhesive. It’s a handy option for small, contained repairs rather than laying an entire new cork floor.
Dried & Silk Flower Arranging
Florists and hobbyist flower arrangers use Copydex to secure dried and artificial stems into foam or wire frames and to reinforce delicate petals and leaves that have come loose, since it holds lightweight materials firmly without the stiffness or visible shine of a hot glue gun join.
Tip: Always replace the cap tightly and store the bottle upright. Copydex is water-based and will slowly thicken, then eventually go solid, if left exposed to air — a well-sealed 50ml bottle will comfortably last several months of occasional use.
How to Use Copydex — A Quick Application Guide
For a Permanent Bond (Carpet, Leather, Cork, Card)
Apply a thin, even layer to both surfaces you’re joining and leave for a few minutes until it turns from white to a translucent, tacky finish. Press the two surfaces together firmly and hold or weight them in place while the bond cures. Working thin is more effective than working thick — a heavy layer takes far longer to cure and is more likely to show at the edges.
For Repositionable Fabric Work (Dressmaking, Appliqué)
Apply a thin layer to one surface only and allow it to go tacky before positioning your fabric or trim. In this semi-dry state the fabric can still be lifted and repositioned if needed, before pressing down for the final, permanent bond.
Removing Dried Copydex
Dried Copydex peels away cleanly from skin and most non-porous surfaces — simply rub it between your fingers rather than trying to wash it off. On fabric or carpet fibres, any excess is easiest to remove while it’s still tacky, using a damp cloth before it fully cures.
Buyer’s Guide: Getting the Most from Copydex
Why the 50ml Size Makes Sense for Most Households
Because Copydex is applied in a thin layer, a 50ml bottle goes much further than its size suggests — it’s the right amount for regular household repairs, dressmaking and craft use without a large bottle drying out before it’s used up. For a professional workshop getting through it constantly, larger sizes are available, but for everyday use 50ml is the sensible, cost-effective choice.
Copydex vs Other Adhesives — Which Should You Use?
Copydex isn’t the right glue for every job. Here’s how it compares to the other adhesives most UK households already have in a drawer somewhere.
| Adhesive | Best For | Dries | Washable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copydex | Fabric, carpet, paper, cork, leather | Flexible, clear | Yes, once cured |
| PVA (wood glue) | Wood, porous rigid materials | Rigid | No |
| UHU / all-purpose glue | General household, plastics, ceramics | Rigid, fast | No |
| Contact adhesive | Structural bonds, laminates, heavy leather | Rigid, instant grab | No |
Is Copydex Safe to Use? Non-Toxic and Solvent-Free
Copydex is water-based, solvent-free and non-toxic, which is why it’s considered safe for school craft use and for the skin-contact costume applications mentioned above. As with any latex product, anyone with a known latex allergy should avoid prolonged skin contact and patch-test first.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Copydex
Applying Too Thick a Layer
The single most common mistake is squeezing on a generous blob rather than a thin, even layer. Copydex cures by the water in it evaporating out, so a thick layer takes far longer to go tacky, is more likely to show at the edges of the join, and wastes product that a 50ml bottle otherwise stretches a long way.
Joining the Surfaces Too Soon
Pressing two glued surfaces together straight away, before the adhesive has gone from white to a translucent, tacky finish, gives a weaker bond than waiting the few extra minutes it needs. This is especially true for fabric and carpet repairs, where a rushed join is the most common reason a repair fails again within days.
Leaving the Cap Off or Loose
Copydex is water-based, so any time spent with the cap off or not fully sealed lets it start drying out in the bottle. Left long enough, it thickens and eventually goes solid and unusable — always replace the cap tightly straight after use and store the bottle upright.
Using It as a Wood Glue or Structural Adhesive
Copydex is brilliant for fabric, carpet, paper, cork and leather, but it isn’t designed for structural wood joints or heavy load-bearing bonds. For furniture repairs or anything that needs to take real weight, a dedicated wood glue or contact adhesive is the better and stronger choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Copydex been discontinued?
Yes. The manufacturer has discontinued Copydex entirely. Larger sizes were phased out first, with the 50ml bottle the last size still in production before the whole range ended. Once existing stock sells out nationwide, no more will be made.
Can I still buy Copydex in the UK?
Yes, while stock lasts. We’re one of a small number of UK stockists still holding genuine stock of the 50ml bottle. Availability elsewhere varies, and once remaining stock nationwide is gone, it won’t be restocked.
What is Copydex glue used for?
Copydex is a natural latex adhesive used for bonding fabric, carpet, paper, card, cork and leather. It stays flexible when dry, is washable once cured, and is a favourite for dressmaking, soft toy repair, carpet fitting, paper crafts and costume or cosplay work.
Is Copydex adhesive washable?
Yes. Once fully cured, Copydex forms a flexible, washable bond, which is why it’s widely used in dressmaking and soft toy repair where the finished item needs to go through a normal wash cycle.
Does Copydex work well on carpet?
Yes, Copydex is a long-standing favourite for carpet repairs including securing loose edges, joining carpet seams and sticking down curling carpet tape, because it dries flexible rather than rigid so the carpet can still flex underfoot.
Is Copydex safe to use on skin, for example in costume or cosplay work?
Copydex is a natural latex adhesive, solvent-free and non-toxic, which is why it’s long been used by costume makers and cosplayers for securing wig caps and latex prosthetic pieces. Anyone with a latex allergy should avoid skin contact and always patch-test first.
How do you remove dried Copydex?
Dried Copydex peels away cleanly from skin and most non-porous surfaces by rubbing it with your fingers, since it doesn’t fully soak in the way a PVA glue does. On fabric or carpet fibres, any excess is best removed while still tacky with a damp cloth.
Can Copydex be used on leather, paper and wood?
Yes. Copydex bonds leather, suede, paper, card and cork very well. On wood it works for lightweight craft joins but is not a substitute for a proper wood glue on structural joints.
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