A glue stick applicator comprising a casing receiving a glue stick, the glue stick being extendable through a mouth of the casing between a retracted position wherein the glue stick is entirely housed in the casing and an extended position wherein the glue stick extends at least in part from the mouth of the casing, and a grid fitted around the glue stick at least when the glue stick is in the extended position, the grid being made of a material having higher gluing capability than the material of the glue stick.