3 Expert Tips for Perfecting Your Wax Seals Every Time
Want to take your wax seals from drab to fab?
As a wedding invitation designer and wax seal lover for nearly 8 years, I’ve picked up a few tricks to help you achieve that perfect, professional wax stamp. Wax seals add a touch of elegance to invitations, packaging, and other stationery projects, but getting them just right can be tricky.
These three pro tips will elevate your wax seals from amateur to expert level.
Whether you’re creating wedding invitations, decorative packaging, or just adding a unique touch to your stationery, this guide will save you time and help you achieve flawless results every time.
Let’s dive into the secrets that make all the difference.
*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. I only recommend products I personally use and love.
Tip #1: Keep your Wax Stamp Cold
Put your wax stamp on ice between uses.
Using a cold wax stamp is key to a clean, crisp seal. I recommend placing your stamp on whiskey ice blocks, such as these, because they melt slower, keeping your stamp cool throughout your stamping session.
Why is this important? When your stamp is cold, it releases from the wax more easily, preventing smudges or irregularities. The result is a sharper impression, even if you make multiple seals in one sitting.
Pro Tip: Wipe off excess moisture from the stamp before each use to avoid water mixing with the wax.
Tip #2: Use a Low Heat Glue Gun for Wax Sticks
The temperature of your wax plays a significant role in achieving a smooth finish. When wax is too hot, it bubbles and creates an uneven surface.
Using a low-heat glue gun helps maintain the perfect temperature for dispensing your wax, making it easier to achieve clean, crisp impressions.
Tip 3: Choose a Silicone Mat Over Parchment Paper
Using a silicon mat rather than parchment paper behind your wax is a huge game changer. The wax peels off effortlessly from the silicone surface, and with parchment, it gets sticky—you can even get torn parchment paper stuck to the bottom of your wax. Plus, the non-stick properties allow for better stamping results with a cleaner finish.
Also, the silicon will last you forever, and parchment paper you generally need to replace after a few uses.
Curious why you might need to use a silicon mat?
For Wax Seal Belly Bands: When sealing belly bands around invitations, you don’t want the wax sticking to the invitation or paper underneath. A silicone mat ensures your seals remain intact.
For Standalone Wax Seals: Making seals in advance and adding adhesive stickers to the back allows you to apply them later on envelopes, menus, branding and packaging, or place cards. Using a silicone mat helps you produce uniform seals quickly, saving you time and effort.
Take it from me—these tips are truly life-changing when it comes to creating perfect, professional-quality wax seals.
They make the process smoother and the results more refined, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced wax seal enthusiast.
Want more help with wax seals? Check out these resources:
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. I only recommend products I personally use and love.