Wax seals are a great way to add a personal touch to letters, invitations, or gifts or products you sell in the shop. We use them to give our wax melt gift boxes a real luxury feel for our customers while also showcasing our brand (and it's super fun to do!)
However, traditional wax sealing can be messy and time-consuming (especially if you run a business like we do). What if you could create your own wax seal stickers—clean, easy to use, and still packed with personal charm for your brand? In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to make your own wax seal stickers from scratch! We outsourced them for so long, paying a lot of money... until we realised how easy it was to do!
Disclosure- we have access to a laser machine. This obviously does make this a little simpler for us! If you have access to a laser machine, great! If you don't, this guide can still help you. Once you have your design cut into a stamp, you are away. You will just need someone to make this for you and there are plenty of services available online.
What You’ll Need:
- Laser Cut Acrylic Circles (around the size of a pound coin) No laser machine? You can purchase customised wax seal stamps online, so once you have it, you can use it time and time again. However, if you have access to a laser machine, this is the most cost effective and simple way of making your seals!
- Glue Gun Wax Sticks (not glue gun glue- it will be bendier and a range of colours)
- Wax Seal Stickers (these will make the process much easier and mess-free!)
- Silicone Mat
- Hot Glue Gun
How is it done?
1. Laser Cut Your Design
Start by laser cutting your design into an acrylic circle that’s roughly the size of a pound coin. The acrylic will serve as your seal mould and give your wax seals a crisp, professional finish. If you don’t have access to a laser cutter, you can purchase your design online that will come in a stamp form that can be re-used.
2. Get the Right Wax
Next, purchase glue gun wax sticks. These sticks are available in a variety of fun colours, and they have a unique bendy texture to the sticks. This is the fun bit as there are so many colours to choose from! We get ours from Amazon for ease.
3. Prepare Wax Seal Stickers
Have your wax seal stickers ready. These stickers will be used to stick the finished seals to your envelopes, gifts, or stationery.
4. Pump the Wax onto a Silicone Mat
Place a silicone mat down on your workspace. Take your glue gun and pump one full pump of the wax onto the mat. The silicone mat ensures that the wax won’t stick to the surface, and you’ll be able to peel the wax off easily later.
5. Press the Acrylic Design into the Wax
Once you have a nice, round blob of wax, quickly press your acrylic circle (with the design facing down) into the wax. Apply a little pressure and give it a slight twist. This will help the wax fill the details of your design, creating a perfect impression.
6. Make Multiple Seals at Once
If you’re making several wax seals, repeat this step and create around 3-4 blobs of wax with the acrylic designs pushed in before you start to peel any off. This will speed up the process but also ensures the wax has just the right amount of time to set.
7. Peel the Wax from the Mat
Once the wax has had time to cool (roughly 3-5 blobs of wax at a time), gently peel it off the silicone mat. Be cautious—if you wait too long before removing the wax, it may tear. Experiment to find the perfect amount of time to wait before pulling the wax away—3 to 5 seals at a time seems to be just right for us.
8. Apply Your Wax Seal Sticker
Once your wax seals are removed, you can apply the finishing touch: a wax seal sticker! Place the sticker on the back of your wax seal, then peel off the protective film. You now have a fully functional and beautiful wax seal sticker ready to be used on your projects or products!
Tips for Perfect Wax Seal Stickers:
- Experiment with Colours: Don't be afraid to mix and match different wax stick colours for a unique, multicoloured design. What works for your brand?
- Work Quickly: The glue gun wax cools fast, so work quickly once you've pumped it onto the silicone mat. You still want the wax to feel a little warm.
- Use a Silicone Mat: This is key to ensuring your wax seals don’t stick to your work surface and can be easily peeled off once they’ve cooled.
- Make Extra Seals: Creating a batch of wax seals at once can save you time later, especially when you need them for multiple projects. This method means it is quick so you can create lots at once.
Now you’re all set to start creating your own stunning wax seal stickers. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or just someone looking to add a personal touch to your letters and gifts or products, this technique will elevate any project. Happy crafting!
