To wax seal an envelope with a candle, you will melt sealing wax directly over the envelope using the candle flame and then press a seal stamp into the melted wax.
Using a candle and wax stick is a traditional method for creating beautiful, old-fashioned wax seals on envelopes for invitations, letters, or special documents.
Materials Needed
Here's what you'll need to get started:
- Envelopes: The ones you want to seal.
- Sealing Wax Stick: Specifically designed for wax sealing, usually flexible to prevent cracking during transit.
- Candle: A standard tapered or pillar candle works well. Avoid scented candles if possible, as the scent might transfer.
- Lighter or Matches: To light the candle.
- Wax Seal Stamp: Choose a design you like.
- Optional:
- A small dish of ice or a damp cloth to cool the seal stamp between uses.
- Tweezers or pliers to hold the wax stick if it gets too short or hot.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to create a perfect wax seal:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Choose a flat, non-flammable surface. Position the envelope flap where you want the seal to go.
- Light the Candle: Light your candle and allow the flame to burn steadily.
- Melt the Wax: Hold the sealing wax stick at a slight angle (about 45 degrees) above the envelope, positioning the tip of the stick just above the candle flame (but not directly in it, which can cause soot).
- Allow the wax to melt and drip onto the envelope flap. Rotate the wax stick slowly as you melt it for even dripping.
- Continue dripping until you have enough melted wax to create a puddle slightly larger than your seal stamp's surface. The reference mentions getting enough for what it describes as a "20 centimeter wax coin," but for a standard seal, you'll need a puddle typically 2-3 cm in diameter and a few millimeters thick. You know when it's ready when the contents has all melted into a smooth puddle.
- Apply the Seal Stamp: Once you have the desired amount of melted wax, set the wax stick aside. Ensure your seal stamp is clean and cool.
- Hold the seal stamp firmly by the handle.
- Pop in your seal directly into the center of the melted wax puddle. Apply even pressure straight down.
- Wait and Remove: Keep the stamp pressed into the wax for a few seconds (typically wait a couple seconds) to allow the wax to cool and harden around the stamp design.
- Reveal Your Seal: Gently lift the seal stamp straight up and away from the wax. If the wax sticks to the stamp, it wasn't cool enough or you didn't wait long enough.
- Cool the Stamp (Optional but Recommended): And then remove it and place it into the cool. Between seals, dip the metal head of your stamp into ice water or press it onto a damp cloth. This cools the metal and helps prevent the wax from sticking to the stamp on subsequent uses.
Tips for Success
- Practice on scrap paper before sealing your final envelopes.
- Avoid holding the wax stick too close to the flame, as this can char the wax and leave black marks.
- Ensure you use enough wax; too little and the seal will be fragile or incomplete.
- Press the stamp firmly but not so hard that you cut through the envelope.
- Allow the seal to cool completely before handling or stacking envelopes.
By following these steps, you can effectively use a candle to create beautiful and classic wax seals on your envelopes.
