If protein-based adhesives are to become a competitive bio-based alternative to synthetic adhesives, the preparation and application methods have to be considerable improved to reduce process time and thereby improve the economy of the adhesive system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the temperature during preparation and application on the shear-bond strength of an adhesive based on vital gluten for use in wood applications. Vital gluten was used in its natural form and mixed with water of different temperatures (preparation temperature 0 °C or 20 °C), and applied on beech veneer at different temperature (application temperature –10, 20, 60 and 100 °C). Tensile shear-bond strength samples were prepared and tested according to EN 205. The results showed that an increase in veneer temperature during application of the adhesive led to a decrease in the shear-bond strength, but that the preparation temperature of the adhesive had no influence on the strength.