Easy Stamped Candles (with Video) • Craving Some Creativity

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Want to make a personalized gift in just a few minutes? This easy candle stamping method uses a few inexpensive craft tools to create personalized candles with names, milestone dates, or a favorite quote in just a few minutes!

Halloween Decor Stamping on Candles using tissue paper transfer technique

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Have you tried stamping candles with custom designs?! It is an easy and inexpensive way to create custom candles for holiday decorating, gifts, weddings, and graduation.

This method is fool proof too! No worry about messing up because if you do, it’s only wasting a piece of tissue paper, not a $10 candle. I have done several versions for Christmas and Halloween, as well as sentimental gifts.

If you are interested in making more gifts, I’ve done many image transfer methods like the best image transfer to fabric and transferring images to wood. However, today’s method is one of the fastest since it uses candles.

Two lit candles with stamped Christmas designs.

Supplies Needed

Tissue Paper (Kleenex type nose tissue or bathroom tissue works)
Wax Paper
Assorted Candles
Pigment Ink (You don’t want an ink that is prone to spreading)
Stamp of choice (wood, acrylic, or flexible all do great)
Craft Heat Gun like this one

Supplies for stamping candles including stamps, tissue, and heat gun.

How To Emboss Candles Step by Step

Step 1- Stamp the image onto a single ply of tissue paper. You can use any rubber or acrylic stamp. A pigment-based ink is going to work best as it won’t bleed as much and will stay wet longer than a dye-based ink.

*Tip – You can also use embossing powders for a fun effect! The trick is to use a clear embossing ink and an embossing powder or glitter. You don’t need to burnish (heat) the embossing powder until you melt it into the candle, but don’t use any wax paper with embossing powders.

Step 2- Cut excess tissue paper around the image. If a multiple layer or thick tissue, you will want to separate the layers and use only the top layer.

Tissue with stamped image laid over a candle.

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. The wax paper isn’t always necessary, but it will keep the tissue paper from blowing around.

Step 4- Use a heat gun over the surface of the wax paper/ candle. Starting from the center and working towards the edges – you are just trying to melt it a little. You don’t have to burn the candle wax. If you have good lighting, you can see 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.

Halloween designed mantle with grouping of white candles, Edgar Allen Poe themed accessories, and stamped candles with black and white garland.

Looking for more Easy Crafts? Check these out:

Video Tutorial

I also made a video of myself working with these candles if you would like to check it out.

FAQs

Can embossing powder be used in candles?

Yes. The trick is to use a clear embossing ink and an embossing powder or glitter powders. Emboss ink the stamp and stamp the tissue paper before adding the embossing powder. You don’t need to burnish (heat) the embossing powder until you melt it into the candle.

Is a heat gun hotter than a hair dryer?

A heat gun is much hotter than a hair dryer, depending on the type of heat gun. Craft heat guns can be about 200-300 degree F, while industrial heat guns meant for metal can be upwards of 700 degrees F. A typical hair dryer is about 80-120 degrees F.

Weekend DIY project. A pegboard organizer in the craft room above the desk workspace.

Looking for more Holiday Crafts? Check out these tutorials:

Plastic bottle animal planters on a window sill. Includes a pig, rabbit, and frog planter. — Soda Bottle Animal Planters

Final Photo Transfer of a Brightly Colored Horse Head — Soda Bottle Animal Planters

PS I love seeing your creations! Be sure to take a photo and tag #cravingcreative on Instagram! You can also stay in touch with me through following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and subscribing to the newsletter!

Halloween decorated candle with stamped design.

How To Stamp Candles

This easy candle stamping method uses a few simple craft tools to create personalized candles with names, milestone dates, or a favorite quote in just a few minutes.

5 from 13 votes

Print Pin Rate

Project Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Author: Rachel

Cost: $10

Tools

▢
Heat Gun

Supplies

Instructions

Stamp the image onto tissue paper.
Cut excess tissue paper around the image. Lay image on candle in position.
Use a heat gun over the surface of the wax paper/ candle.
Peel off the wax paper. Allow to cool before touching.

Tried this Project? Tag me Today!Mention @CravingCreative or tag #CravingSomeCreativity!