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!
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.
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
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.
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 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 Crafts? Check these out:
- DIY Pumpkin Topiary
- How to Transfer Images to Fabric with Your Home Printer
- How To Transfer Images to Wood
- Soda Bottle Animal Planters
- Over 30 Easy and Fabulous Halloween Decorating Ideas
Video Tutorial
I also made a video of myself working with these candles if you would like to check it out.
FAQs
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.
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.
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Looking for more Holiday Crafts? Check out these tutorials:
Soda Bottle Animal Planters 
How to Transfer Images 
Transfer Simple Images 
DIY Christmas Tree Topper
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!
How To Stamp Candles
Tools
- Heat Gun
Supplies
- Tissue Paper Kleenex type nose tissue works best
- 1 piece Wax Paper
- 1 Candle
- Stamping Ink That won't spread
- Stamp
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.
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!
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!