Staples

Upholstery Staples for Furniture, Fabric and Frame Work

Shop upholstery staples for furniture manufacturing, reupholstery, restoration, automotive trimming and general workroom fastening.

Livedale supplies fine-wire upholstery staples, hand-tacker staples, heavy-duty furniture-frame staples, stainless-steel staples and black staples in a range of leg lengths.

Upholstery staples may also be known as:

• Furniture staples
• Staple-gun staples
• Fine-wire staples
• Pneumatic upholstery staples
• Fabric staples
• Tacker staples
• Frame staples
• Furniture-making fasteners

The correct staple must match the staple gun, series, crown width, wire gauge and permitted leg length.

Staples that look similar are not necessarily interchangeable. A staple with the correct leg length may still have the wrong crown width or wire profile for the tool.

Shop Upholstery Staples by Series

The Livedale range includes:

• 71-series fine-wire staples from 4mm to 14mm
• 13-series hand-tacker staples in 6mm, 8mm and 10mm
• 14-series heavy-duty furniture-frame staples
• Stainless-steel 71-series staples
• Black 71/10 upholstery staples

71-Series Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples

The 71 series is one of the most widely used staple types in professional furniture upholstery.

These fine-wire furniture staples have a narrow 10mm crown and are available in leg lengths from 4mm to 14mm.

Potential applications include securing:

• Upholstery fabric
• Vinyl and leathercloth
• Hessian
• Calico and interliner
• Platform cloth
• Corovin and base cloth
• Polyester wadding
• Upholstery felt
• Piping tails
• Concealed fabric edges
• Automotive trim
• Headboard coverings
• Suitable lightweight webbing

The narrow wire creates a relatively discreet fixing while the staple crown spreads the holding force across the material.

71/4 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 4mm Leg

The 71/4 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 4mm Leg are the shortest standard 71-series staples in the current range.

They may suit lighter and more detailed work, including:

• Thin upholstery fabric
• Labels
• Lightweight lining cloth
• Delicate material
• Shallow timber sections
• Temporary positioning
• Areas where deeper penetration is unsuitable

The short 4mm leg helps reduce the risk of a staple emerging through thin furniture components.

It may not provide sufficient penetration for thick folds or several upholstery layers.

71/6 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 6mm Leg

The 71/6 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 6mm Leg provide a useful short staple for general lightweight upholstery work.

Potential uses include:

• Upholstery fabric
• Lightweight vinyl
• Calico
• Lining cloth
• Thin wadding
• Base cloth
• Furniture labels
• Automotive trim
• Detailed furniture sections

The 6mm leg provides more timber penetration than the 71/4 while remaining suitable for relatively shallow work.

71/8 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 8mm Leg

The 71/8 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 8mm Leg are a versatile general-purpose option for furniture and upholstery work.

They may be suitable for:

• Upholstery fabrics
• Vinyl
• Hessian
• Calico and interliner
• Platform cloth
• Polyester wadding
• Light fabric folds
• Automotive interior trim
• Headboards and upholstered panels

The 8mm leg provides a balance between useful penetration and control, making it suitable for many everyday upholstery applications.

71/10 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 10mm Leg

The 71/10 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 10mm Leg provide additional penetration for thicker materials and layered upholstery work.

Potential applications include:

• Heavier upholstery fabric
• Thicker vinyl
• Folded fabric edges
• Hessian
• Wadding and felt layers
• Suitable elasticated webbing
• Platform and base cloth
• Automotive upholstery
• Furniture manufacturing

The 10mm leg is commonly selected where shorter staples do not penetrate sufficiently through the material and into the timber frame.

71/12 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 12mm Leg

The 71/12 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 12mm Leg are available in BeA and Livedale-branded options.

They may be used where thicker materials or several upholstery layers require deeper penetration.

Potential uses include:

• Heavy fabric folds
• Layered upholstery materials
• Hessian and felt
• Thick platform cloth
• Suitable webbing applications
• Automotive trim
• Furniture and panel production

Check the available timber depth before using a 12mm staple.

71/14 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 14mm Leg

The 71/14 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 14mm Leg are the longest standard fine-wire upholstery staples in the current range.

They may suit suitable work involving:

• Thick fabric folds
• Several layers of upholstery material
• Heavier webbing
• Substantial hessian and padding layers
• Deep timber frames
• Furniture production
• Automotive and commercial trimming

The longer leg should only be used where sufficient timber depth is available.

An unnecessarily long staple may:

• Bend in hard timber
• Fail to drive fully
• Pass through thin frame sections
• Strike hidden metalwork
• Create a sharp exposed point
• Damage the furniture or upholstery

Choosing a 71-Series Staple Length

Choose a shorter 71-series staple where:

• The material is thin
• The timber is shallow
• A discreet fixing is required
• There is a risk of penetrating another surface
• Detailed fabric positioning is being completed

Choose a longer 71-series staple where:

• Several layers are being fastened
• Thick fabric folds must be secured
• Deeper timber penetration is required
• Suitable webbing is being attached
• The shorter staple does not hold securely

The shortest staple that provides reliable penetration and holding strength is normally the most appropriate choice.

Stainless-Steel 71-Series Upholstery Staples

The 71-Series Stainless-Steel Upholstery Staples are intended for applications where ordinary staples may be exposed to damp or moisture.

Available sizes include:

• 71/6 – box of 35,000
• 71/8 – box of 28,000
• 71/10 – box of 25,000
• 71/12 – box of 17,500

Potential applications include suitable:

• Marine upholstery
• Boat cushions
• Campervan interiors
• Automotive trimming
• Outdoor furniture
• Furniture in damp environments
• Commercial seating exposed to regular cleaning
• Projects where increased corrosion resistance is required

Stainless-steel staples may also be described as marine staples, corrosion-resistant staples or rust-resistant upholstery fasteners.

They must still be used with a compatible 71-series staple gun.

Stainless fasteners alone will not make unsuitable fabric, foam, timber or furniture construction suitable for permanent outdoor exposure.

Black 71/10 Upholstery Staples

The Black 71/10 Fine-Wire Upholstery Staples – 10mm Leg provide a darker alternative to a standard bright metal staple.

They are supplied in:

• Boxes of 20,000
• Cases of 200,000

Black upholstery staples may be useful where the staple crown could remain partly visible against:

• Black base cloth
• Corovin
• Dark platform cloth
• Automotive carpet
• Black vinyl
• Dark upholstery fabric
• Concealed furniture undersides

The dark finish makes the crown less conspicuous against suitable materials.

The finish does not change the staple dimensions or tool requirements. These remain 71/10 staples and must be used with a compatible 71-series gun.

13-Series Fine-Wire Hand-Tacker Staples

The 13 series is commonly used with compatible manual upholstery tackers and selected electric staple guns.

These fine-wire hand-tacker staples are available in three leg lengths:

• 6mm
• 8mm
• 10mm

They may suit:

• Furniture repairs
• Lightweight upholstery
• Fabric and lining cloth
• Small workroom projects
• Occasional stapling
• On-site repairs
• Jobs where compressed air is unavailable
• General fastening with a compatible hand tacker

Each size is available in boxes of 5,000 or cases of 50,000.

13/6 Fine-Wire Hand-Tacker Staples – 6mm Leg

The 13/6 Fine-Wire Hand-Tacker Staples – 6mm Leg are suitable for compatible 13-series manual tackers.

Potential uses include:

• Thin upholstery fabric
• Lining cloth
• Lightweight base cloth
• Labels
• Small repair work
• Shallow timber components

13/8 Fine-Wire Hand-Tacker Staples – 8mm Leg

The 13/8 Fine-Wire Hand-Tacker Staples – 8mm Leg provide additional penetration for general upholstery and workshop fastening.

They may suit:

• Furniture fabric
• Calico
• Hessian
• Lightweight wadding
• Platform cloth
• Small upholstery repairs
• General hand-tacker use

13/10 Fine-Wire Hand-Tacker Staples – 10mm Leg

The 13/10 Fine-Wire Hand-Tacker Staples – 10mm Leg are the longest 13-series staples in the current range.

They may be used where:

• Thicker material is being fixed
• Several layers are present
• Deeper timber penetration is required
• An 8mm staple does not provide sufficient hold
• The compatible hand tacker accepts a 10mm leg

Check the capacity of the hand tacker before ordering. Some 13-series tools accept only a limited range of leg lengths.

14-Series Heavy-Duty Furniture-Frame Staples

The 14-Series Heavy-Duty Furniture-Frame Staples – 19mm to 50mm are 16-gauge chisel-point staples designed primarily for furniture-frame manufacturing and repair.

They have:

• A 10mm crown
• Heavy 16-gauge wire
• Chisel-point legs
• A choice of four leg lengths
• Boxes of 10,000

Available sizes include:

• 14/19
• 14/25
• 14/38
• 14/50

These heavy-duty frame staples may also be known as framing staples, furniture-construction staples, heavy-wire staples or timber-assembly staples.

Potential applications include suitable:

• Furniture-frame construction
• Sofa and chair frame assembly
• Timber-frame repairs
• Fixing suitable frame components
• Commercial furniture production
• Wooden furniture manufacturing

They are not intended for an ordinary fine-wire upholstery gun.

Use only with a compatible 14-series frame stapler capable of driving the selected leg length.

14/19 Frame Staples

The 14/19 option has a 19mm leg and may suit lighter frame assembly where a shorter heavy-duty fastening is required.

14/25 Frame Staples

The 14/25 option provides a 25mm leg for suitable furniture-frame and timber-assembly work.

14/38 Frame Staples

The 14/38 option provides deeper penetration for substantial timber components and compatible frame construction.

14/50 Frame Staples

The 14/50 option has a 50mm leg and is intended only for suitable heavy frame work using an approved stapler and sufficiently deep timber.

Always check for hidden fixings and mechanisms before driving long framing staples.

Fine-Wire Staples or Heavy-Duty Frame Staples?

Choose fine-wire upholstery staples where:

• Fabric is being secured
• Vinyl is being fitted
• Hessian or lining cloth is being attached
• Wadding or felt is being fixed
• A discreet fastening is preferred
• A 71-series or 13-series tool is being used

Choose heavy-duty 14-series staples where:

• Furniture-frame timber is being assembled
• A structural timber fastening is required
• The work requires heavy 16-gauge wire
• A compatible frame stapler is available
• The original furniture construction uses heavy staples

Do not use heavy frame staples as a substitute for fine-wire fabric staples.

Their heavier wire and longer legs may unnecessarily damage covering materials and require a completely different tool.

Matching Staples to the Staple Gun

Before ordering, check the label on the stapler, magazine or manufacturer’s instructions.

Confirm:

• Staple series
• Crown width
• Wire gauge
• Minimum leg length
• Maximum leg length
• Magazine profile
• Recommended fastener type
• Whether the gun accepts galvanised or stainless steel fasteners

Browse Pneumatic Staple Guns, Upholstery Tackers & Frame Staplers for compatible fastening tools.

The Livedale tool range includes:

• 13-series hand tackers
• Pneumatic 71-series upholstery guns
• Electric 71-series staple guns
• Long-nose upholstery staplers
• Heavy-duty 14-series frame guns

Do not force a staple into a tool magazine.

An incorrect staple may cause:

• Repeated jams
• Double firing
• Incomplete feeding
• Damage to the driver
• Magazine wear
• Poor penetration
• Unsafe operation

Standard-Nose and Long-Nose Upholstery Staplers

A standard-nose staple gun is suitable for open and easily accessible fixing areas.

A long-nose upholstery gun can help reach:

• Deep furniture channels
• Tight corners
• Recessed frame sections
• Areas behind piping
• Automotive trim details
• Narrow spaces within upholstered furniture

Both tool types must still accept the selected staple series and leg length.

A long nose does not change the staple specification required by the gun.

Selecting Staples for Upholstery Fabric

Fine-wire 71-series or compatible 13-series staples are commonly used to secure fabric to timber frames.

When fastening upholstery fabric:

1. Position the material accurately.
2. Check the grain and pattern direction.
3. Apply controlled tension.
4. Begin at a central or reference point.
5. Work outwards gradually.
6. Keep the staple line even.
7. Avoid large folds beneath the crown.
8. Check the visible surface regularly.

Shorter staples may suit thin fabrics and shallow timber.

Longer staples may be required for heavy material, folds or several upholstery layers.

Browse Upholstery Vinyl & Fabric for furniture coverings and automotive materials.

Staples for Hessian, Calico and Lining Cloth

Upholstery staples are also used to secure furniture-foundation materials including:

• Hessian
• Calico
• Interliner
• Platform cloth
• Base cloth
• Corovin
• Needle punch
• Stretch polyester
• Polyester wadding
• Felt

Browse:

• Upholstery Hessian
• Platform, Base and Lining Cloths
• Polyester Wadding
• Upholstery Felts

The staple must hold the material firmly without cutting unnecessarily through the weave or passing through the furniture frame.

Staples for Upholstery Webbing

Suitable staples may be used to fix certain elasticated, polypropylene or synthetic webbing directly to a sound timber frame.

Browse Upholstery Webbing for elasticated, polypropylene, jute and rubber furniture-support systems.

The correct fixing method depends on:

• Webbing material
• Webbing thickness
• Fitted tension
• Furniture-frame timber
• Original construction
• Staple series and length
• Staple-gun power

Traditional jute webbing may be fitted using upholstery tacks or suitable staples according to the furniture construction and restoration method.

Rubber webbing may require clips, hooks or frame slots rather than direct stapling.

Testing Staple Length and Penetration

Before fastening the finished furniture:

1. Use a piece of comparable scrap timber.
2. Add the same number of fabric or material layers.
3. Fit the selected staple.
4. Check that the crown sits correctly.
5. Confirm sufficient timber penetration.
6. Check that the staple has not emerged through the rear.
7. Adjust the tool pressure or depth where possible.
8. Repeat the test if the materials change.

A staple driven too shallowly may remain proud and fail to hold the material securely.

A staple driven too deeply may:

• Cut through fabric
• Crush the material
• Damage the furniture frame
• Leave an unnecessary recess
• Reduce the effective holding area of the crown

Removing Upholstery Staples

Browse Staple Removers, Tack Lifters & Ripping Chisels for tools used to remove old furniture fasteners.

Suitable removal tools include:

• Staple lifters
• Tack removers
• Ripping chisels
• Pincers
• Side cutters

A typical removal process is:

1. Lift the staple crown carefully.
2. Grip the raised staple with suitable pincers.
3. Pull in the direction of the staple legs.
4. Avoid tearing reusable fabric.
5. Collect the removed fastener immediately.
6. Inspect the timber before fitting a replacement staple.

Do not leave removed staples inside loose fabric, padding or workshop waste.

Wear suitable eye protection because old or broken staples can move suddenly during removal.

Safe Use of Staple Guns

Staple guns drive sharp metal fasteners at high speed.

Before use:

• Confirm tool and staple compatibility
• Wear suitable eye protection
• Inspect the tool
• Check air hoses or electrical cables
• Stabilise the furniture
• Keep hands away from the fixing path
• Check for hidden metalwork
• Test the penetration depth
• Use the recommended operating pressure

Disconnect the air or electrical supply before:

• Loading staples
• Clearing a jam
• Inspecting the nose
• Changing components
• Carrying out maintenance
• Leaving the tool unattended

Never point a staple gun towards yourself or another person.

Trade Upholstery and Furniture Staples

Livedale supplies fine-wire staples, hand-tacker staples, stainless-steel fasteners, black upholstery staples and heavy-duty frame staples to professional upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, automotive trimmers, repair workshops and training providers throughout the UK.

Choose from:

• 71-series staples in 4mm to 14mm leg lengths
• 13-series staples in 6mm, 8mm and 10mm
• Stainless-steel 71/6, 71/8, 71/10 and 71/12 staples
• Black 71/10 staples
• 14-series frame staples in 19mm to 50mm lengths

Approved trade customers can access preferential pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.

Match the staple series, crown, wire gauge and leg length to the tool and fastening application before ordering.