If you have ever tried to stamp candles, it isn’t as easy as it looks. However, this method will have you personalizing candles with names, milestone dates or your favorite quote in just a few minutes!
Today I am sharing a really easy way to use tissue paper to transfer designs onto candles. Although I decorated these for halloween, this technique has great applications for holidays, gifts, graduation, and general decorating. To be honest, Halloween is my favorite holiday (besides Christmas of course). I love the horror movie marathons, the spooky decor, and dressing up.
But I added a Christmas version this year for the house and I am obsessed. Some of these pretty candles might make it into gift baskets this year for my friends.
Supplies for Transfer Stamped Candles
- Tissue Paper (Kleenex type nose tissue)
- Wax Paper
- Assorted Candles
- Dye or Pigment Ink (You don’t want an ink that is prone to spreading)
- Stamp of choice
- Craft Heat Gun like this one (I doubt a hair dryer would get hot enough, mine certainly would not)
Step 1- Stamp the image onto the tissue paper.
Step 2- Cut excess tissue paper around the image. If a multiple ply or thick tissue, you may want to separate the layers and use only the top layer.
Step 3- Position onto candle as shown above. Lay wax paper over the image and hold so that the image is flat against the candle.
Step 4- Starting from the center and working towards the edges, use a heat gun gently over the surface of the wax paper/candle. You don’t have to burn the candle wax. If you have good lighting, you can see the the wax paper start to stick to the candle wax. Make sure all edges are properly sealed.
Step 5- Peel off the wax paper. Voila! The tissue paper has magically melted into the candle. If done properly, you will not be able to see a texture difference between the tissue paper and the candle.
Looking for more Easy Holiday Crafts? Check these out:
- DIY Pumpkin Topiary
- How to Print on Fabric with Your Home Printer
- Free Printable Halloween Monsters Cup Cover
- Over 30 Easy and Fabulous Halloween Decorating Ideas
I really wanted to show you how good this looks in person so I made sure that there is absolutely no retouching on the above picture. Now, wasn’t that impossibly easy? There are two other reasons I love this technique. First, you can use any type of stamp: wood backed, rubber, flexible, acrylic, etc. Secondly, you don’t have to worry about screwing up because you only wasted a piece of tissue paper, not a $10 candle.
Check out the video to see how it is done!
Looking for more Holiday Crafts? Check out these tutorials:
Halloween Boo Party Decor 
DIY Stacked Pumpkins Decor 
Monster Free Printables
Heather C says
Want to make, but I’m a dweb when it comes to directions, are you referring to tissue – like you blow your nose, or tissue you wrap presents. I know the answer should be so obvious, sorry.
Rachel says
Oh, that could be confusing! I used a regular kleenex type tissue. I hadn’t thought of wrapping tissue paper but that makes sense and I will clarify in the directions. Thank you for asking!
Katherines Corner says
SO cute! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop. Watch for your feature on Monday xo
Laura says
These candles are so spooky and cool! I’m featuring them this week at Link It or Lump It – thank you so much for participating in our link party! If you want you can stop by to grab an “I Was Featured” button. http://www.lovelywren.com/link-it-or-lump-it-58-and-features/
Rachel says
Oh thank you so much! Link it or lump it is such an amazing party! I will definitely grab a button.
Kimberly says
This is so cool! Pinned. Amber has chosen this as her favorite and it will be featured at our party that starts Monday at 7 pm.. Woo Hoo! I hope to see you there. Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
Jamie @ anderson + grant says
These are fabulous….they remind me of something that Pottery Barn would sell for some outrageous price! I don’t decorate much for Halloween, but these are totally something that I’d add into my fall decorations. Thanks for sharing with us!
Amy | Canary street crafts says
Rachel these are awesome! Love how they turned out!!
Rachel says
Thanks so much, Amy! I think I am going to do a bunch more of these for Christmas. I have lots more Christmas themed stamps. Maybe even give them as cute gifts.
Marla Martenson says
I love these! Halloween is my favorite holiday. Love the decorations. I am visiting from Katherine’s Corner. xx
Rachel says
Thanks for stopping by, Marla! I adore Halloween too.
Rebecca says
DAMN GIRL! You are good! This is so amazing for everything, not just halloween! I mean, I don’t know what a heat gun is but I think I need one in my life. Google search to follow! Everyone’s getting a candle for christmas! LOL
Alice Megan says
I love these what a great idea!
Bobbi says
These are awesome! Love them. Pinning it 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Rachel says
Thanks for the pin!
Miranda @ Someday Crafts says
I LOVE these candles! They’re just perfect for Halloween, and they look so darn easy to make. I’ll be featuring them over at Someday Crafts tomorrow!
Rachel says
Oh thank you so much! I have had this technique in my back pocket for a long time. I guess this was my someday craft, haha. I am always impressed with how well they look afterward. I will definitely check out the feature and share it with others.
Carrie @ curlycraftymom says
I have never seen this before, this is so neat! And, they look rather spooky, too! 🙂
Leslie says
Loving this! I love the one with the clock, how cool! I love all things Halloween.
Rachel says
I am so excited for halloween because I haven’t been in the mood to decorate in for-e-ver. I seriously doubt I will get to do too much with all the house stuff going on but it is stil exciting!