At the beginning of your wax seal journey, you'll need to decide which method you prefer - there are two that are easily available, being Wax Sticks or Wax Beads. We have outlined a few pros and cons below to help you decide, but for beginners we recommend testing the waters by using wax sticks first. This is a cheaper, less equipment intensive method, and perfect for trying out wax stamp designs! 

Wax sticks

Pros: Convenient and easy. No extra equipment or set up needed. 
Cons: Messier looking as you are allowing molten wax to drop straight onto the paper (although we like the character this gives, and it is more traditional looking!)

Equipment
Wax stick with wick
Lighter or matches
Seal stamp 

 

Method
1. Choose where you want the seal. If the seal is being used to seal an envelope, make sure the surface is flat - you don't want wax to be able to disappear under any edges. 
2. Light the wick and hold the stick just above where you want the seal. Don't let the flame touch the paper.
3. As the wax melts, allow it to collect on the paper. Only a few drops will be needed to make a good seal.
4. Once you have enough wax, extinguish the wick and now take your seal stamp. For best results, make sure the stamp head is cool, as heated stamps may cause bubbling. Place it gently into the pool of wax.
5. Allow the wax to harden. Gently remove the stamp. If there is resistance, leave it a bit longer.

Optional: If your stamp design has a lot of detailing that you'd like to emphasise, you can brush glitters, mica, or metallic marker pens gently over the top to highlight the peaks. 

 

Wax beads

Pros: Best if you are making a couple of seals at once. Cleaner looking seals that allow you to be more precise with the amount of wax you use. Ability to easily mix colours.
Cons: This is a slightly more involved and time consuming method with additional equipment needed. Additional clean up also required.

 

Equipment
Wax beads - single, or multiple colours
Tealight candle
Lighter or matches
Wax melting spoon
Wax melting stove / warmer
Seal stamp

Method
1. Prepare your equipment. Place the tea light into the wax melting stove and light it. Make sure that the seal stamp is cool.
2. Select your wax beads - usually about 3-4 beads is plenty for one stamp. You can use a single colour, or mix beads of different colours for a unique multicoloured marbled effect. Place your beads into the wax melting spoon.
3. Place the spoon into the hole on the stove, and allow it to fully melt the wax. While it is melting, ready the paper onto which you want the stamp to go. Make sure the edges are clean and flat.
4. When the wax is completely liquid, take the spoon and allow the wax to drip onto the paper surface using gentle circular motions.
5. Place the stamp into the wax. Allow it to harden. Gently remove the stamp. If there is resistance, leave it a little longer.
6. To clean any extra or unwanted wax out of the spoon, while the wax is still hot carefully wipe away with kitchen towel.

Optional: If your stamp design has a lot of detailing that you'd like to emphasise, you can brush glitters, mica, or metallic marker pens gently over the top to highlight the peaks. 

 

Now your hand written notes will have that extra special touch - what could be more magical than a note dropping through the letterbox finished with your friends own hand!