Wax Seals: A Timeless Wedding Invitation Trend

Wax seals are a popular way to add a decorative touch to wedding invitations. They can be used to secure the outer envelope or to fasten belly bands around the cards inside. While they were once used to secure important letters, they are now purely ornamental, evoking a regal, old-world aesthetic. Wax seals can be created using a metal stamp and sealing wax, or by using self-adhesive wax seals that can be purchased online. When mailing wedding invitations with wax seals, it is recommended to hand-cancel the invitations to ensure they are not damaged by mail-sorting machines.

Wax seals can be mailed but may require extra postage

Wax seals are a popular way to add a decorative touch to wedding invitations. They can be mailed but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the weight of the wax seal may increase the postage required for mailing. It is recommended to take a sample invitation with the wax seal to your local post office to inquire about the correct postage.

Additionally, to protect the integrity of the wax seal, you may want to consider using outer envelopes or requesting hand-sorting (also known as hand-canceling) at your local post office. Hand-sorting involves a postal worker manually inspecting and approving each invitation, which can help prevent damage to the wax seal. However, this service may incur an additional fee and may require extra time for the invitations to be sent.

Another option to consider is using self-adhesive wax seals, which are pre-made and can be purchased from various online stores. These seals are designed to be stronger and more flexible than traditional wax seals, making them more durable during the mailing process.

When creating your own wax seals, it is important to use a wax that is specifically designed for mailing, as this will ensure that the seal can withstand handling and shuffling without breaking. Some brands that offer mailable wax include Nostalgic Impressions and Letter Seals.

Overall, while wax seals can add a unique and elegant touch to your wedding invitations, it is important to be mindful of the potential extra postage, time, and costs associated with mailing them.

Use a glue gun for an easier wax seal application

Wax seals are a great way to add a touch of elegance and personalisation to your wedding invitations. If you're looking for an easier way to apply wax seals, using a glue gun is a popular and effective method. Here are some tips and instructions for using a glue gun for your wedding invitation wax seals:

Advantages of Using a Glue Gun:

• Efficiency and Speed: Glue guns produce a consistent and reliable heat source, making wax melting quicker and easier than traditional methods.
• Precision: Glue guns offer better control over the flow of wax, allowing for more elaborate designs and patterns.
• Convenience and Safety: Glue guns eliminate the need for an open flame, making them safer and more convenient. They are also easily accessible in craft or hardware stores.
• Less Mess: The wax is contained within the glue gun, resulting in a cleaner and quicker dispensing process.

Step-by-Step Guide for Using a Glue Gun:

• Load Your Glue Gun: Insert the wax sticks or beads into the glue gun's chamber. Ensure you're using the correct size of wax for your glue gun.
• Heat the Gun: Turn on the glue gun and let it heat up for about 5 minutes, or as instructed by the manufacturer.
• Test the Gun: Once heated, press the trigger slowly to feed the wax into the heating chamber. Stop when the chamber is full to avoid messy drips.
• Melt the Wax: Wait for the wax to completely melt. This is indicated by the heating light turning off or a change in wax consistency.
• Apply the Wax: Hold the glue gun at a 45-degree angle, about 1/4 inch above the envelope. Squeeze out a dollop of wax, ensuring it's enough for a full seal without spilling over the edges.
• Spread the Wax: Move the glue gun tip in a circular motion around the dollop to evenly distribute the wax.
• Stamp the Seal: Let the wax cool for a few seconds. Then, press your chosen seal firmly into the centre of the wax and hold it in place for about 10 seconds.
• Remove the Seal: Gently lift the seal off the wax. If needed, use a soft cloth or tissue to wipe off any excess wax residue.

Tips for Using a Glue Gun:

• Choose the right type of glue gun for wax sealing. Use a high-temperature glue gun with a temperature range of 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Protect your work surface by placing a sheet of paper or foil underneath.
• Practice on a scrap piece of paper or envelope before attempting your final invitations.
• If changing colours, use a glue stick between colours to flush out the previous shade.
• For adding a personal touch, incorporate glitter or metallic dust into the wax before applying it.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting:

• Wax Dripping: Let the wax cool for a few seconds longer before pressing the seal.
• Seal Not Coming Off Easily: Avoid pulling the seal straight up. Gently wiggle it back and forth to loosen it from the wax first.
• Wax Breaking: The seal may be too deep or the wax too thin. Try adding a little more wax for a stronger hold.
• Uneven or Incomplete Seal: Ensure the glue gun is at the right temperature and that you're applying even pressure.

Using a glue gun for your wedding invitation wax seals offers a modern and convenient approach while still achieving the desired elegant and personalised look.

Wax seals are purely ornamental today

Historically, wax seals served a practical purpose. Before self-sealing envelopes and tape, they were used to secure envelopes, scrolls and important documents. A broken seal indicated that an envelope had been tampered with.

Today, wax seals are used to add a decorative touch to wedding stationery. They can be used to close the flaps of invitation envelopes, or to seal escort and place cards, table numbers and favour boxes. They can also be used to decorate non-paper items, such as champagne flutes and wine bottles.

If you're thinking of using wax seals for your wedding invitations, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll need to decide whether to make your own wax seals or buy pre-made self-adhesive ones. If you want to make your own, you'll need to buy a metal stamp and choose a method for melting the wax. You can either use a wax furnace, traditional wax sticks or a glue gun.

Another thing to keep in mind is that adding wax seals to your invitations may increase your postage costs. In some cases, you may need to pay a "nonmachinable surcharge" because the bump created by the seal can't go through the machines used by the post office. To avoid this, you can use outer envelopes to protect the seals or ask your local post office about hand-sorting.

Self-adhesive wax seals are available for purchase

Wax seals are a popular way to add a decorative touch to wedding invitations. The traditional method of creating a wax seal involves melting wax and using a metal stamp to create an imprint. However, self-adhesive wax seals are a convenient alternative that can save time and effort.

Self-adhesive wax seals are essentially fancy stickers that can be purchased from various online retailers, such as Etsy and Artisaire. They are handmade by professional wedding stationers or calligraphers and feature adhesive backings, making them easy to apply. The great news is that opting for self-adhesive wax seals doesn't limit your customisation options. Many vendors offer personalisation services, allowing you to add your initials or other custom details to the seals.

When purchasing self-adhesive wax seals for your wedding invitations, it is important to consider the quantity you will need. Most vendors offer packs of seals ranging from 10 to 100, with prices varying depending on the design, customisation, and number of seals. It is also essential to keep in mind that self-adhesive wax seals may be less permanent than traditional wax seals. Therefore, it is recommended to use a protective outer envelope when mailing your invitations to ensure the seals remain intact during transit.

• Artisaire offers a range of self-adhesive wax seals with various designs, such as the "With Love" seals, the "Protea" seals, and the "Scribble" seals. Prices start at $0.90 per seal, and you can choose from 36 different colours.
• Etsy sellers like RosaElisaCo and SignatureWaxSeal offer custom self-adhesive wax seals with your initials or monogram. Prices vary depending on the seller, but you can typically find packs of 25 to 50 seals ranging from $8 to $25.
• For a more luxurious option, TheStampPress on Etsy offers self-adhesive monogram wax seals in packs of 100 for $110. These seals add a touch of elegance to your wedding invitations.

Wax seals can be used to decorate non-paper items

Wax seals are a beautiful and personal way to decorate wedding invitations and other items. While they were once used to secure envelopes, scrolls, and other papers, they are now purely ornamental.

You can also use wax seals to decorate gifts. This adds a personal touch and can be a beautiful way to present a gift to someone special.

The process of making a wax seal is simple: melt the wax and pour it onto the item, press the wax seal stamp into the hot wax, and then allow the wax to cool and remove the stamp. You can speed up the process by chilling the stamp beforehand.

There are two main types of wax used for wax sealing: traditional wax and supple wax. Traditional wax is brittle and not suitable for mailing, while supple wax is more flexible and can withstand the rough handling of the postage system. Supple wax comes in various forms, such as wax sticks with or without wicks, wax sticks for glue guns, and wax sealing beads.

With so many creative ways to use wax seals, you can add a unique and elegant touch to your wedding invitations and other items.

Frequently asked questions