What Is a Wax Seal Stamp and How to Use It?

8 minute read

Wax seal stamps have become an enduring symbol of elegance and craftsmanship in the paper crafting world. Whether you're a cardmaker, scrapbooker, or stationery enthusiast, adding wax seals to your projects can elevate their aesthetic and make them look elegant. 

A handmade greeting card with leafy details, gold splatters and a 'so grateful' sentiment next to a wax seal

In this guide, we'll dive into the history and uses of wax seal stamps, as well as a step-by-step guide to using them. If you’ve never used these tools for your paper crafting projects before, we think you’re going to love them! Here’s a rundown of the topics we’ll discuss in this guide: 

Table of Contents

What Are Wax Seal Stamps?

Wax seal stamps are tools designed to create embossed impressions on melted wax. They often showcase intricate designs like florals, initials, or symbols. Their origins trace back to ancient Rome, predating the invention of paper itself! What did people seal before paper even existed? These were used on clay tablets to mark records and establish authenticity! 

Historically, wax seals have been symbols of rank, class, and power. Individuals often had their own custom wax seals to serve as a signature, an emblem of authority, or a mark of authenticity. While these purposes have evolved, wax seal stamps remain popular today, primarily for creative applications.

An image of Altenew's sapphire wax beads

Originally used to secure letters and validate their authenticity, wax seals have transitioned into a beloved art form in modern crafting. They now emphasize aesthetic beauty and personalization! You can use them as letter seals, decorations, and so much more for all of your paper crafting needs. 

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Types of Wax Seal Stamp Designs

Below are some popular wax seal stamp designs crafters typically use for their projects:

Florals

Florals are timeless when it comes to decorative elements. Their delicate and intricate designs make them an excellent choice for wax seal stamps, offering aesthetic charm and sophistication.

Flowers carry their own unique symbolism or message. For instance, using a tulip stamp conveys deep love and affection—an ideal inclusion for a project meant for a loved one. Whether you're enhancing a personal card or adding a heartfelt touch to your crafting, florals make every creation bloom with meaning and beauty.

A handmade greeting card featuring florals and leafy details alongside burgundy wax seal

Words, names, or phrases 

Another fantastic design approach is incorporating words and phrases. These elements are ideal for adding personalized touches to your cardmaking projects. For example, a stamp featuring the phrase 'With Love' serves as a perfect detail for a card meant for someone special.

Although size limitations may restrict the number of letters or words on a stamp, they remain excellent for creating accents or subtle, personalized embellishments that elevate your design.

A flat lay image of a black envelope with a blue wax seal on top of it, surrounded by a warmer spoon and  a wax seal stamp

Nature or greenery 

If you enjoy adding nature-inspired touches to your crafts, wax seal stamps featuring plant or greenery motifs are an excellent choice! Infuse your projects with sophistication and charm using elegant leafy patterns and subtle floral accents.

A staged image of mixed media materials like foliage, wax sticks, and wax stamps

Symbols like hearts or bows 

Historically, stamp seals symbolized authenticity and served as signatures. They often featured icons or symbols that denoted rank or represented a family insignia. While their purpose today is less formal, they add a whimsical touch to creative projects. Modern designs include charming motifs like bows and hearts, perfect for embellishing your cardmaking creations.

Choose symbols that resonate with your project’s theme. For instance, a heart wax seal stamp would beautifully complement a Valentine’s Day or anniversary card, making it both thoughtful and stylish.

A staged image of Altenew's wax beads, wax sticks, wax stamps, and seals

What Is Included in a Wax Seal Stamp Kit?

Getting a kit to help you with wax stamping is easy and doesn’t take up a lot of space in your craft room either! It’s quite compact, and you can easily store it after use. Here are the different inclusions and essentials you need to get started: 

Tool 

Features

Wax Seal Stamps 

Stamps that crafters can use to press on melted wax to imprint an intricate image

Wax Warmer

A small tool crafters can use to melt wax 

Wax Warmer Spoon 

A small, metal spoon to be placed on the wax warmer. Small pieces of wax beads are to be placed on top of it for melting. 

Wax Beads

Small beads or sticks of solid wax. Once melted, they can be poured on crafting projects and pressed with stamps

Tealight Candle 

A small, circular candle that will be lit and placed inside the warmer to melt wax

Rose gold wax beads placed inside a warmer spoon

How to Use a Wax Seal Stamp for Cardmaking Projects

If you haven’t used wax seal stamps before, don’t fret! The process is super fun and simple. Follow this step-by-step guide to make your first stamp impression like a pro: 

Step 1: Place a Lit Tealight Candle Inside Your Wax Warmer

A tealight candle is perfect for working with wax seal stamps and paper crafting projects. Simply light the candle and place it inside the designated slot of your wax warmer. That small flame will provide more than enough heat to melt the wax! Handle fire carefully, and be sure to put it off when not in use.  

Step 2: Heat Your Wax Beads

To achieve the desired seal size, place 2-3 wax beads into your wax warmer spoon and position it over the circular opening of your warmer. The spoon should rest securely on its own, eliminating the need for you to hold it as the wax melts.

Step 3: Pour the Melted Wax on Your Project

Once you no longer see solid remnants of the wax beads, it’s ready to use! The melting time will vary depending on your location's temperature—colder environments may require more time, while warmer ones speed up the process. Be cautious not to overheat the wax too; you'll notice bubbles forming if this happens.

When ready, carefully pour a small circle of wax onto your chosen surface and let it set. Make sure your crafting table is level to prevent the wax from moving or dripping unevenly as well. 

Step 4: Apply Your Wax Seal Stamp

Now for the fun part! Carefully position your wax seal stamp over the poured wax circle and press gently. Leave it in place for about 20–25 seconds to achieve a flawless imprint.

Don’t be discouraged if you think your first few attempts are misaligned or look a little wonky. These quirks add to the charm of handmade seals, giving your project a delightful, authentic touch. Embrace the beauty of imperfection!

Step 5: Gently Remove Your Stamp and Allow the Wax to Dry

Once 20–25 seconds have passed, gently remove your stamp from the wax and leave it to dry for a few minutes. Try not to touch the wax or place anything on top of it during the drying process to ensure it doesn’t get deformed. 

After a while, you’ll have successfully made your own wax seal stamps! Use it for your handmade cards, scrapbooking projects, and even sending out mail! 

Why You Should Use Wax Seal Stamps for Paper Crafting

Still unsure whether or not you should use wax seal stamps for your upcoming projects? Here are some advantages you can expect: 

Tactile, Interactive Details

Wax seal stamps bring a delightful sensory experience to paper crafting and your recipient! The raised design of the wax creates a tactile element, making cards and invitations irresistibly interactive. Simply touching the wax is also enjoyable! 

Breaking a wax seal also has a ceremonial feel, turning every piece of correspondence into a fun experience. Whether you’re sealing envelopes or embellishing handmade cards, this old-world technique infuses your projects with a unique touch of charm. Plus, the process of melting and stamping wax is as enjoyable for the crafter as it is impressive for the recipient.

An image of Altenew's rose gold wax beads

Customizable Elements 

With wax seal stamps, you have a bunch of customization options. Choose from a variety of designs and stamp sizes to personalize your projects. Pair your seals with different wax colors, metallic highlights, or even layered stamps to reflect a certain style or theme! 

This level of customization makes wax seals a fantastic choice for handmade cards, wedding invitations, birthdays, or branded stationery, elevating your craft to a professional level!

Altenew's wax seals alongside other products such as pigment inks and embossing folders

Versatile Use 

Wax seals are not just for sealing envelopes; they have a variety of uses! You can decorate gift tags, add flair to memory-keeping layouts, or even embellish your handmade cards

Combine them with other materials like pearl dots, die-cuts, or other embellishments for a layered, luxurious look. They’re also a great way to add a vintage-inspired touch to any project. The creative possibilities are endless, making wax seals a must-have tool in any crafter’s arsenal.

Tools every cardmaker needs

Aesthetic Appeal 

Last but certainly not least, you can never overlook the beauty of using wax seal stamps in crafting. They are synonymous with elegance and sophistication thanks to their glossy finish, and when combined with intricate designs, they can enhance the visual appeal of any project. 

Whether you're aiming for a rustic, vintage look or a minimalist, modern aesthetic, wax seals adapt beautifully to any style. Adding these to your project instantly elevates it, making it look timeless and beautifully handmade.

A handmade greeting card folded within an envelope and a wax seal

Take Your Crafting Experience to the Next Level With Wax Seal Stamps!

Wax seals add a touch of artistry and charm to any project, making your creations unique. Now that you know how to use wax seal stamps, this is your chance to make projects that are beautiful and uniquely yours. 

Ready to try it out? Explore Altenew’s collection of wax seal stamps, wax beads, and warmer kit, to elevate your upcoming projects! 

Try wax seal stamping!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

We’re here to answer all of your questions about wax stamping! 

Place a lit tealight candle inside your wax warmer and put some wax beads on the warmer spoon. Let the wax melt on top of your warmer and wait until there are no solid wax remnants. After fully melting, pour some onto your project and stamp!
A wax seal stamp is a tool crafters can use to place wax seal impressions on their projects. These can be used as embellishments, envelope seals, and more!
As the name suggests, you can use it to seal letters or envelopes, but that’s not all! You can also use it as an added element to your crafting projects to make them more unique and personalized.
It’s best to use tealight candles to melt wax. They’re easy to control, and their size is perfect for fitting inside wax warmers.
Yes! When extra wax has dried up and solidified, you can always try to break it into smaller pieces and place it back on your wax warmer. Once it melts again, it’s ready for stamping!

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