Stamping on Candles ~ Tutorial

Wouldn’t it be great to make any candle look the way you want it to? Well, here is a simple, step by step tutorial on how to make your very own hand stamped candles. 

They are great for home decoration, gifts to family and friends, house warming gifts, the list goes on and on. 

However if you simply don’t have the time, or the touch, you can purchase them from my Etsy shop (and of course I’m open to custom orders)

Glitter Tart Designs

Supplies

White Tissue Paper

Candle (White words best but any candle that you can get a matching tissue paper for will work as long as it’s not so dark the stamping won’t show up)

Ink (I like Archival ink because it dries fast)

Stamps

Scissors

Heat Gun

Wax Paper

Rhinestones (optional)

Step 1:  Measure Tissue Paper

Note:  You only need to do this step if you want a stamped image to wrap around the candle.  If this doesn't apply to you please skip to step 2. 

Wrap tissue paper around candle until it meets, mark and cut tissue paper. 

It's okay if there is a bit of overhang it can be trimmed later. 

Step 2: Stamp Images

Ink your stamp and stamp directly onto the tissue paper making sure to press evenly.  If doing a wrap around (like my words) you might want to draw a line to keep images straight.

If you wanted to at this point you can color your images using permanent markers or colored pencils, don't use something that will run when heated/dampened. 

Step 3:  Cut Images Out

Using a sharp pair of scissors trim your stamped images closely.  It doesn't have to be precise. 

Step 4:  Add Bling

Note:  If you prefer your candles blingless skip to step 5

Place any rhinestones where you would like them on the tissue paper.  Make sure that they are stuck on well.

Step 5:  Place Images

This is where things get a bit complicated and you might wish you had a third or fourth hand.  Place your trimmed images where you would like them on the candle and press them down as best you can (this picture was taken before I pressed, the wax in the candle will grab portions of the tissue paper).

Step 6:  Wrap candle in wax paper

Tear off a piece of wax paper, make sure it is large enough that you can grab a portion and pinch it together tightly around the candle.  This is what you will hold onto while heating to prevent burning your fingers.

Step 7:  Heat

 I apologise that there are no pictures of me heating the candle, I needed that extra hand :)

Turn on your heat gun and let it get hot. 

Holding the gun about 12 inches from the candle, heat, moving the gun (or the candle whichever is more comfortable for you) constantly.

You can tell when it is done when the image gets darker (kind of like embossing powder).  As soon as it is done remove from heat, don't want to melt the candle!

Pull the wax paper away slowly, if you find spots that are not fully adhered to candle, reheat them. 

Done!

I love the way these make my dinning room look!  They are such a subtle but perfect addition. 

Please share with me any creations you come up with, I love seeing other's art. 

Again, if you just aren't crafty you can purchase these from my Etsy shop, HERE is a direct link.