As you feel more confident in your wax sealing abilities, you shouldn’t need to do this. It will provide a good guide, but isn’t needed to complete the sealing process.
While regular candle wax can work for sealing, it will be more brittle and may break open if not handled carefully. Use sealing wax where you can for a much more durable and flexible wax seal. [4] X Research source You may be able to find sealing wax candles at your local craft store. Otherwise, you can find them online in a huge array of colors and types. Sealing wax candles can come with wicks built into them, or without a wick at all. If your candle does not have a wick, use a lighter, torch, or another source of heat to melt the wax over the letter.
Don’t worry if your wax doesn’t form a perfect circle in the middle of your paper. Pressing the wax seal into it will spread the wax around, and any extra wax around the edges will only give your seal more character![6] X Research source
This may be easier if you extinguish the other end of the candle first. If you need more wax to complete the seal, you can always relight it. Once you stop adding wax, it will start solidifying. While you do not need to work at an incredible pace, make sure you do not let the wax set before you can press the seal into it.
Seals designed for wax can be found online and even custom-ordered with your own designs. If you don’t want to shop online, you could try asking at antique stores to see if they have any seals for sale.
If lifting the seal off is particularly difficult, it may be a sign that the wax has not hardened enough. Leave the seal to sit for another 30 seconds or so and try again.
You may be able to find a melting spoon for sealing wax at your local craft store or at some antique stores. If not, there are plenty available online.
Using a melting spoon gives you the ability to melt multiple colors of wax at once. Try combining two or more types of wax for some cool marbled wax seals. Melted wax should be around the same consistency as a thick honey. Give the wax a slight stir to check this consistency if you are unsure. [15] X Research source
Keep the spoon around 1 in (2. 5 cm) away from the paper to give you more control as you pour the sealing wax. The poured wax should be around the same size as the face of your wax seal.
If the seal is difficult to lift away from the paper, let the wax harden for another 30 seconds before trying again.
Make sure you let the spoon cool fully before putting it away. This is especially important if you are storing it with your wax.
Sealing wax tubes may be available at your local craft store. If not, you should be able to find a selection online. Using a sealing wax tube in a glue gun won’t produce a wax seal with the same handmade, organic look as a traditional wax seal. However, it will melt and harden a lot faster and is much easier to use.
Keep an eye on your hot glue gun as it heats up. If the heating element or nozzle comes in contact with any paper, it may catch on fire. A little smoke coming from the nozzle is OK, especially if it is a new glue gun. For the best results, use a glue gun that does not have any hot glue residue anywhere on or in it. This could also melt and mix into your sealing wax, which could stick to your seal or fasten too tightly to the paper.
To be extra certain with the amount of wax you will need, you can trace around the edge of the seal with a pencil to give you a rough guide of the seal’s shape.
Sealing wax from a tube should harden slightly quicker and more uniformly than traditional sealing wax. If you find it difficult to lift the seal away, let the wax harden a little more and try again.
