How to Seal a Letter With Wax: Two Easy Methods

1. 1

   Step 1: Light the Wick on a Sealing Wax Stick

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   Set a tea light on the table so you always have a flame nearby. Pick up a sealing wax stick that has a wick inside, and light the wick from the candle. Hold the stick over a sheet of scrap paper, not your envelope. The first few seals are practice. You will learn how fast the wax drips before you try it for real.

   Tip:

   Keep a damp paper towel nearby to pinch out the wick when you finish.

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   Used in this stepsealing wax sticks with wickunscented tea light candles

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2. 2

   Step 2: Drip Sealing Wax Onto the Paper

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   Tilt the lit stick down toward the paper and slowly turn it in your fingers. The flame heats the wax and it begins to drip. Keep the tip low and let the drops land in one spot. It is a slow, calm process. Be patient and let the wax build up rather than rushing it.

   Tip:

   Hold the stick at a steep angle so the drips fall in one place.

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   Used in this stepsealing wax sticks with wick

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3. 3

   Step 3: Shape the Sealing Wax Into a Round Pool

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   Use the tip of the wax stick to rub the warm drips and coax them outward into a circle. Aim for a pool about the size of your stamp head or a little bigger. It does not need to be perfect. Once the puddle is round enough, set the stick aside on a heatproof spot and pick up your stamp.

   Tip:

   A slightly larger pool gives the seal a soft, rounded edge.

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   Used in this stepsealing wax sticks with wick

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4. 4

   Step 4: Press the Wax Seal Stamp Into the Wax

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   Hold the stamp upright over the wax and press it straight down. Firm, steady pressure is enough. You do not need to push hard. Keep the stamp still while the wax cools against the brass for a few seconds. Rocking or twisting smears the design. Shayda uses her bumblebee stamp, a classic design that suits almost any letter.

   Tip:

   Check which way the design faces before you press so it is not upside down.

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   Used in this stepbrass wax seal stamp with wooden handle

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5. 5

   Step 5: Lift the Stamp to Reveal the Wax Seal

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   When the wax has firmed, lift the stamp straight up. You should see a crisp design with a soft border. Shayda loves that no two come out alike, and every seal will look a bit different. Make a few more on scrap paper with other stamps until you like how they turn out.

   Tip:

   If the wax pulls up with the stamp, wait a few more seconds next time.

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   Used in this stepbrass wax seal stamp with wooden handle

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6. 6

   Step 6: Seal a Real Envelope Flap With Wax

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   Close your envelope first. Drip wax right over the point of the flap so the seal holds it shut. Shayda uses gold wax and a pineapple stamp here. Let the puddle settle for a moment, then press gently and lift. Even if you miss the edge a little, the result still looks lovely.

   Tip:

   Slide a scrap card inside the envelope so wax cannot seep through to the letter.

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   Used in this stepsealing wax sticks with wickA7 cream envelopes

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7. 7

   Step 7: Melt Sealing Wax in a Spoon Over a Tea Light

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   For the second method, use wax without a wick. Cut a small chunk from a plain stick with a craft knife, or use a few wax beads. Drop it into a wax melting spoon and hold the spoon over the tea light. Wait until the wax is completely liquid with no lumps.

   Tip:

   Rest the spoon handle on the table edge so your hand does not tire.

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   Used in this stepwax melting spoon for wax sealssealing wax beads assorted colorsunscented tea light candles

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8. 8

   Step 8: Pour the Melted Wax in a Circle

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   Tip the spoon and pour the wax onto the paper in a small circular motion. That builds a round puddle. Drips at the edge are fine. The stamp pulls the shape together. Then press the stamp, hold for a few seconds and lift, the same as before. The spoon gives you more control over size.

   Tip:

   Reheat the spoon and wipe it with a paper towel to clean it between colors.

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   Used in this stepwax melting spoon for wax seals

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9. 9

   Step 9: Seal the Envelope With Poured Wax

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   Melt a fresh batch, gray this time, and pour it in a circle over the flap of a sealed envelope. Press the stamp straight down, wait for the wax to firm and lift. Now you have both methods. Use the wick stick for a slow, cozy session, and the spoon when you want even, round seals.

   Tip:

   Let seals cool fully before stacking envelopes, or they can stick together.

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   Used in this stepbrass wax seal stamp with wooden handlewax seal stamp kit with sealing wax sticksmini glue gun sealing wax sticks

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