How to Use Sealing Wax
Before the advent of faxing and e-mail, sending letters has been the quickest and most reliable method of communicating over long distances. Only very few people use this method today, but many of them prefer to add a stylish and elegant flair to their mail by using sealing wax. This impressive and colorful accent is easy to use, as long as you know what to do.
What You’ll Need:
Sealing wax stick
Envelope or letter to seal
Flame source (a lighter, match or a candle)
Metal sealing stamp
Procedure:
Ready the letter for sealing. Place the paper inside the envelope, then close the flap, making sure it’s on a flat surface.
Get the flame source, and light it. This can either be a lighter or a match. If you plan on sealing more than one envelope though, it’s a good idea if you light a candle first, so you won’t have to keep relighting or waste matchsticks. It also allows you to use both hands freely, giving you better control when working on this task.
Hold the sealing wax stick in the flame, so it will melt. Move it in and out, until it’s soft, but not dripping or burnt.
Apply the wax you melted to the area that will be sealed. Use gentle pressure to swirl it over the paper, keeping the melted wax puddle thick, but with rounded edges. When there’s already a thick circle of sealing wax on the paper, lift the stick away.
Form the decorative impression by applying the metal stamp to the still-hot wax on the envelope. Apply firm pressure so the wax will fill the stamp crevices, making a clear impression. Lift the stamp from the wax carefully.
See if the decorative impression you made is clear. If not, repeat the three previous steps, and give you a thicker seal, but a better impression in the wax.
Wait for the wax to cool before you mail the envelope.
Some Tips:
Some people hold the sealing wax and the flame over the area to be sealed, and let it drip. Unless you have a steady hand and you can work quickly, don’t try this method. Chances are the wax will set up before you can use the stamp on it.
If you can’t release the stamp from the wax, oil the stamp lightly before you make the impression.
Don’t touch the hot and sticky sealing wax. It can burn your skin badly.
Add a old-world flair to your snail mail by using sealing wax. It’s an impressive way of showing your elegant nature.