For over 70 years, Elmer’s® has been providing crafters, artists, and DIY enthusiasts with the highest-quality adhesives and craft supplies. Our story began in 1947 when Elmer Gross created the first white glue formulated specifically for use in schools. This innovative product revolutionized arts and crafts projects for generations of students and teachers.
Since those early days, Elmer’s® has grown into a leading manufacturer of adhesives, arts and crafts supplies, and DIY products. While our selection has expanded over the decades, our commitment to quality, reliability, and creativity remains unchanged. We still operate out of our headquarters in Columbus, Ohio and take pride in being an American company dedicated to American creativity.
Our Mission
The mission of Elmer’s® is to inspire creative minds and enable makers and DIYers to bring their projects to life. We strive to develop innovative products that fuel imagination and allow anyone to make their creative vision a reality. Our adhesives, craft supplies, and DIY tools open up limitless possibilities for crafters and encourage skill development at any age.
We aim to make creativity accessible, easy, and fun. Our products are specially formulated for everyone from school-age kids doing their first crafts to adult makers taking on ambitious DIY projects. With a solution for every application and material, we enable makers to create memorable keepsakes, express their personal style, decorate their living spaces, learn new skills, and experience the joy and sense of accomplishment that comes with making something with your own two hands.
Our Values
Since Elmer’s® early days, we have operated according to a core set of values that guide every aspect of our business. These long-held principles are instrumental to our continued growth and success.
Quality
We aim for excellence in everything we make. Our adhesives undergo rigorous testing to ensure superior adhesion, durability, and versatility across a wide range of materials and applications. Our craft supplies are carefully formulated using top-grade materials selected for optimal performance. We pay close attention to every detail because we know creators rely on our products to bring their handmade visions to life.
Innovation
Pushing boundaries and bringing new ideas to life has been at the heart of our business from the beginning. Our founder Elmer Gross was an innovator who developed the first white glue specifically for use in arts and crafts. We carry on his spirit of innovation by continuously improving our products and developing solutions for unmet needs. We listen closely to our creative community and let their ambitions guide us toward the next groundbreaking product.
Education
Enabling makers of all ages to gain new skills has always been central to our educational mission. We create products and content aimed at making arts, crafts, and DIY projects more engaging and educational. Our online Inspiration Center provides tips, techniques, and project ideas to help both kids and adults learn while creating. We also partner with schools and organizations across the country to donate supplies and foster art education.
Community
Builders, crafters, and creators drive us, inspire us, and give purpose to our work. We aim to support our creative community in any way we can. That’s why we maintain an active social media presence with engaging content and host an annual “Make It Stick” contest to recognize and promote up-and-coming crafters. We also value our employees and treat one another with care, collaboration, and respect.
Our Evolution
While Elmer’s® has grown significantly over the past seven decades, our commitment to empowering makers and creators through quality adhesives has been constant. Here are some key milestones that have shaped our evolution from a fledgling school glue business into the leading brand we are today:
- 1947: Elmer Gross launches the Elmer’s Products Company in his garage workshop in Borden, Indiana. His first product is white glue formulated specifically for arts and crafts use in schools. Prior to this, only wood glues existed which dried glossy and were difficult to use.
- 1950s: Elmer’s white glue quickly becomes essential for arts and crafts projects in schools across America. The famous Borden cows are incorporated into Elmer’s branding and packaging.
- 1960s: Elmer’s relocates to Columbus, Ohio to expand production. The Elmer’s glue formula is enhanced to be more resilient and prevent yellowing. New products like rubber cement and glitter glue are launched.
- 1970s: With arts and crafts supplies in high demand, Elmer’s continues growing its product line with markers, crayons, and playdough. The company’s educational focus expands through partnerships with schools and children’s hospitals.
- 1980s: Elmer’s launches colored glues and glitter glues. Sponsorship of nationwide school art contests begins. The company also gives back to the community by donating supplies to schools and children’s charities.
- 1990s: Elmer’s marks a major milestone, selling its 1 billionth bottle of white glue. New quick-dry formulas are launched alongside neon colors and scented varieties to meet evolving consumer needs.
- 2000s: Elmer’s expands globally with sales throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. More specialty glues are launched including no-run glues and glow-in-the dark. Washable school glues and slime products debut.
- 2010s: Innovation continues with new light technology glues, double-sided adhesives, and super-strength epoxies. Sustainability initiatives commence like recycled packaging and solar energy in facilities. Our product line grows to over 200 SKUs.
- Today: Elmer’s celebrates over 70 years as an iconic American brand empowering the builders, crafters, and creators of today and tomorrow. We look forward to continuing Elmer Gross’ legacy of innovation and enabling every creative vision to become a reality.
Our Products
With over 200 specialty adhesives and craft supplies, Elmer’s® offers solutions for every creative need. Our product line includes the following categories:
Glues
As the original Elmer’s product, glues continue to be our specialty. Our white school glues set the standard for clean, safe and long-lasting adhesion. We offer acclaimed wood glues, specialty glues, and innovatory options like holographic, glow-in-the dark, and double-sided adhesives.
Rubber Cements
Elmer’s rubber cements have been beloved by crafters for decades thanks to their extra-strong yet removable bonding power. Our classic rubber cement formula provides tacky adhesion for papercrafts and scrapbooking, while our specialty rubber cements bond trickier materials like foam, fabrics, and wood.
Spray Adhesives
Elmer’s spray adhesives provide wide surface coverage and fast-drying adhesion ideal for temporary or permanent arts and crafts applications. Our extra-strong spray adhesive formula bonds foam, paper, felt, wood, and more.
Craft Supplies
Beyond adhesives, Elmer’s® offers essential arts and crafts accessories including paint pens, crayons, safety scissors, and poster boards. These high-quality supplies inspire creativity in kids and adults alike.
Slime & Putty
Elmer’s® is the premier brand for slime and putty. Our Borax-free slime formulas make stretchy, satisfying slime in a rainbow of colors. Our Scented Silly Putty lineup brings the classic putty experience infused with pleasing scents.
Wood Fillers
For flawless wood repairs, Elmer’s wood fillers expertly fill nail holes, cracks, gouges, and imperfections in wood. Available in multiple wood shades, our lightweight wood fillers blend seamlessly with natural wood for an invisible fix.
With our diverse range of adhesives and accessories, makers can find the perfect Elmer’s® solution for every arts, crafts, school, office, and home project. We offer superior adhesion and reliability across all applications and surfaces. Discover why creative minds have trusted the Elmer’s® brand for over 70 years!
Our Manufacturing & Development
Product quality begins with our meticulous manufacturing process. All Elmer’s® products are proudly made in the USA at our state-of-the-art production facilities in Ohio and Illinois.
We carefully formulate our adhesives using high-grade raw ingredients selected for optimal bonding strength and flexibility. Our proprietary manufacturing methods blend these premium materials under precise temperatures and conditions to achieve the ideal adhesive consistency and performance properties.
Extensive testing is conducted across all product lines to ensure they meet our strict quality standards for adhesion, drying time, flexibility, and longevity across multiple surfaces and conditions. We simulate years of aging on our products by exposing them to extreme temperatures, humidity, and UV light. Only the adhesives that pass all tests with flying colors earn the Elmer’s® name.
In addition to our production facilities, we operate a dedicated research and development lab at our Ohio headquarters. Our expert chemists are continuously innovating and perfecting our adhesive formulas based on consumer feedback and emerging creative trends.
Recent breakthroughs from our R&D team include UV-activated glues, extra-strength epoxies, and mess-free, no-run glue sticks. We proudly invest around 4% of annual sales into product development in order to stay ahead of maker’s needs and take creativity to the next level.
Our People
The creative builders and crafters who use our products motivate everything we do. We also recognize that our greatest asset is our talented and dedicated workforce.
Elmer’s® employs over 500 people worldwide who collectively bring centuries of experience across manufacturing, chemistry, engineering, marketing, and distribution. Many employees have been part of the Elmer’s family for over 20 years, exemplifying their passion and belief in our mission.
We foster an engaging, collaborative workplace where every employee has a voice and impact. Ongoing training, leadership development, and growth opportunities empower our people to advance their careers. Above all, we value the care, creativity, and human touch our employees infuse into their work each day.
Our diverse crew includes accomplished professionals in these areas:
- Researchers: Our PhDs, chemists, and product developers mastermind our adhesives innovations.
- Production: We have dedicated teams overseeing safety, quality control, machinery, and each stage of the manufacturing process.
- Sales & Marketing: This group connects with retailers and consumers to share our brand story and engaging product content.
- Support: Our customer service heroes assist crafters and ensure every creative project sticks perfectly.
- Logistics: The distribution pros who enable our products to reach store shelves across the country via our 30+ shipping locations.
Elmer’s® is nothing without our passionate, chemistry-loving crew. As our company evolves, our workforce continues growing not just in numbers, but also in diversity, capabilities, and vision for the future.
Our Creative Community
The love of making is what bonds all Elmer’s® fans into one inspiring community centered around sharing creativity. We consider ourselves lucky to help enable makers of all ages pursue their dreams and turn imagination into reality.
Parents rely on us for safe, reliable kids craft supplies that make arts exploration fun and engaging. We take pride in sparking creativity and building fine motor skills in children.
Educators have depended on Elmer’s for over 70 years to stock their classrooms with quality adhesives that fuel students’ learning and development through hands-on projects. We cherish our long-standing partnership with schools.
Crafters consider us a staple on their desktops thanks to our sticky solutions for scrapbooking, card making, paper crafts, and DIY home decor. We help preserve memories, customize gifts, and add personal touches.
Builders & Makers trust our wood glues, epoxies, and super-strength adhesives to hold their ambitious projects together. We enable makers to build anything they can envision out of wood, metal, plastic, and more.
Businesses count on our commercial-grade adhesives and specialty cements to solve manufacturing and production challenges. We maintain supplier partnerships with leading brands.
No matter your creative medium, skill level, or project needs, Elmer’s® has the solution to bring your handmade vision to life. We consider it an honor to be creators’ go-to adhesive brand and give them the confidence to make it stick.
The passion of our community drives us to keep improving. We listen to feedback across social media, reviews, surveys, and conversations with retailers so we can deliver the products, inspiration, and support makers desire. When our consumers succeed and experience the joy of creation, we succeed.
We can’t wait to see what our fellow makers will create next using Elmer’s® products. The future is a wide-open canvas!
Giving Back
As makers ourselves, we feel it’s important to support arts education and empower young creators. That’s why giving back to our communities is fundamental to our mission.
Elmer’s® proudly partners with charities nationwide to donate adhesive and craft supplies to school classrooms, after-school programs, children’s hospitals, and community centers. We aim to make arts exploration possible for all youth, especially those with economic disadvantages or special needs.
Highlight initiatives include:
- Annual Heart Hands® Grant providing $1000 in Elmer’s products to K-8 schools needing arts program funding
- Sponsoring national student poster design contests awarding prizes and showcasing winners
- Donating craft kits to children’s hospitals through our partnership with Art with a Heart
- Working with character-building organizations like Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, and 4-H to provide supplies
- Supporting kids’ creativity through partnerships with the Crayon Initiative and other groups
We also make sustainability a priority to protect the planet future generations will inherit. We’ve taken steps to reduce manufacturing waste, use recycled materials, and minimize emissions. Our investment in solar energy powers 30% of our Ohio plant.
At Elmer’s®, we take pride in being a responsible corporate citizen and enabling youth to gain skills, confidence, and creativity to change the world. After all, today’s students are tomorrow’s makers!
The Future of Making
As Elmer’s® embraces our next era, we’re more excited than ever to continue fueling makers’ passion and creativity. While adhesives have always been our specialty, we plan to expand our offerings to become makers’ trusted one-stop shop for everything their projects require.
We’re also investing heavily in digital channels and content to inspire crafters. Our newly upgraded website Elmers.com features engaging project ideas, technique demos, and tutorials to educate and excite builders of all skill levels. Social media gives us a fun way to interact with our consumers and provide a nonstop source of inspiration.
Of course, product innovation remains paramount. Our R&D team is pioneering new formulas, technologies, and products tailored to current creative trends. Consumers demand more sustainable options, so we’re rising to the challenge. The future holds many exciting developments we can’t wait to unveil!
Most importantly, we plan to cultivate an even stronger community among Elmer’s enthusiasts worldwide. Makers and DIYers thrive when they can share ideas, collaborate, and inspire each other’s growth. We’ll create more opportunities for connection through both digital platforms and in-person events when it’s safe.
One thing that will never change is the magical feeling that comes from transforming an idea into a tangible, hand-crafted creation. As long as people keep making, we’ll keep providing the products and inspiration to make their dreams stick. We can’t wait to see the amazing things our community will make next!