1.Plug in the glue gun. Be sure the glue gun is sitting in an upright position and is over a nonburnable surface. Have something under the glue gun so that if glue drips from it, you aren't ruining your work surface with hot glue. 2.Place a hot glue stick into the back of the gun where indicated. Only put in sticks that will fit inside the glue gun and only use sticks designed for the gun 3.Turn the switch of the glue gun to "On" if there is one. Otherwise, wait for the gun to heat up. This may take a few minutes. 4.Take the glue gun in your hand, by holding the handle and having you finger on the trigger. On a scrap piece of cardboard, or other thick craft material, push down on the trigger to test the glue gun. If glue isn't coming out, put more pressure on the trigger. If glue still isn't coming out, it may need to sit for a few more minutes. 5.Test the glue gun until you're comfortable with the flow of the glue. Then get started on what you need to glue. 6.Refill the glue gun as necessary. 7.Turn off the glue gun and return to an upright position over a nonburnable surface. Let the glue gun cool completely before putting it away.