Brooke Martin
Candles can be personalised with words or graphics, making them a thoughtful gift or a unique piece of home decor. There are several ways to write on a candle, including carving directly into the wax, using stamps, or printing designs onto tissue paper and attaching them to the candle with heat. Carving words or symbols into a candle is also a common practice in candle magik, where the candle may be used as a focus for intentions or burned as part of a ritual.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Techniques | Carving directly onto the candle, burning paper with intentions, using stamps, printing custom words, using a heat gun |
| Tools | Brush pens, wax paper, tissue paper, baking paper, a heat gun, laser printer |
| Purpose | Decoration, gifts, rituals, magic |
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What You'll Learn
Carving words or symbols
Choose the Right Candle:
Select a candle that is suitable for carving. Plain wax candles, such as white or ivory-coloured pillars, are ideal as they provide a blank canvas for your carvings. Avoid candles with thick or uneven surfaces, as they can be difficult to work with.
Plan Your Design:
Before you begin carving, decide on the words, symbols, or designs you want to inscribe on the candle. You can sketch your design on paper or use a template for reference. Ensure that your design fits the size and shape of the candle.
Prepare the Candle:
It is important to create a smooth and even surface on the candle before carving. Use a heat source, such as a hairdryer or heat gun, to gently soften the wax. This will make it easier to carve and reduce the risk of the wax cracking or breaking. Run your hand over the candle to smooth out any unevenness.
Carving Tools:
You can use a variety of tools for carving, depending on the level of detail and precision you desire. Options include specialised carving tools, a sharp knife, a metal stylus, or even a thin, pointed piece of wood. Choose a tool that you are comfortable handling and that suits the complexity of your design.
Carving Technique:
Start by gently pressing your tool into the wax, following the outline of your design. Take your time and work with a light touch to avoid breaking the wax. If you make a mistake, smooth over the area with your finger or a soft cloth, then reheat the wax slightly to soften it again before continuing.
Finishing Touches:
Once you have completed your carving, gently remove any excess wax chips with a soft brush or cloth. You can also use a wax polish or sealant to protect your design and give the candle a light shine.
Remember that candle carving is a creative process, and you can adapt these steps to suit your personal preferences and intentions. The most important aspect is to focus on your intentions and put your energy into the candle as you work.
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Using stamps
Stamping on candles is a great way to personalise them and can make for unique gifts. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use stamps to write on a candle:
Firstly, choose your stamp and the tissue paper you want to use. You can use any colour, but white tissue paper is recommended. Place the tissue paper on a flat surface with a sheet of paper underneath as the ink will bleed through.
Next, you will want to stamp your image onto the tissue paper. You can use solid stamps with your choice of ink or opt for images that can be coloured in. If you choose to colour in your stamped image, be sure to test the medium used, as some may not work well with the wax. Cut out the stamped images, staying fairly close to the edges.
Now, take your candle and place the stamped image on it, ensuring that the smooth surface of the tissue paper is facing upwards and that the writing is not mirror-inverted. Wrap the tissue paper around the candle, making sure it is tight and without creases. Then, take a piece of wax paper and wrap it around the candle, on top of the tissue paper.
Heat up your embossing gun for 30-40 seconds. Wave it over the area where the stamped image is, ensuring that the wax paper remains tight. The candle wax will begin to melt, pushing the image into the wax and leaving the image intact.
Finally, slowly peel off the wax paper, and your stamped candle is ready! You can repeat this process to add multiple images to your candle.
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Printing on tissue paper
Firstly, cut a piece of white or pastel-coloured tissue paper to 10.5 by 13 inches (27 by 33 cm). This will ensure there is enough tissue paper to wrap around the candle. If you are drawing your design by hand, place the tissue paper on top of cardboard or copy paper to prevent the markers from bleeding through. You can then draw or stamp your design onto the tissue paper. Alternatively, you can print a design onto the tissue paper by taping it to a sheet of copy paper and running it through a printer.
Once you have your design, cut around the edges of the image, ensuring that you cut off enough of the excess tissue paper so that the image will fit on the candle. Then, place the tissue paper on the candle with the smooth surface facing upwards, ensuring that the writing is not mirror-inverted. Fix the tissue paper in place by placing baking paper over it and wrapping it around the candle, securing it with a clip.
Finally, use a blow dryer to heat the tissue paper and candle wax. The wax will melt slightly and bond with the tissue paper. Make sure to keep the blow dryer moving so that the wax melts evenly. Once the tissue paper has ""melted" into the wax and become shiny, turn off the blow dryer and carefully remove the baking paper. Your personalised candle is now ready!
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Burning paper with intentions
Choose your candle
The type of candle you choose can depend on your intentions. For example, a white candle is often used for purification or clearing, while a green candle might be used for a new job or opportunity.
Prepare your paper
Take a piece of paper and write down your intentions. Be as specific as you can and focus on what you want to manifest. You can also try writing down something you want to let go of. If you're using candle magik for the first time, you might want to focus on one specific intention to start with.
Cleanse your space
Before you begin your ritual, it's important to cleanse your space. This can be done through meditation, smudging, or simply by taking a few deep breaths and setting a calm and positive intention for your ritual.
Light your candle
Once you have written your intentions and prepared your space, it's time to light your candle. As you light the candle, focus on your intentions and visualize them coming true.
Burn your paper
Take your piece of paper and hold it in the flame of the candle, allowing it to catch fire and burn away. As the paper burns, imagine your intentions being released into the universe. You can also blow out the candle at this point and visualize the smoke carrying your intentions with it.
Reflect and release
Take a few moments to sit with your feelings and reflect on the ritual. Allow any remaining energy from the candle or paper to dissipate, and feel yourself releasing any attachments to your intentions.
Remember that this process is highly personal, and you can adapt it to suit your own needs and intentions. Trust your intuition and do what feels right for you.
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Using a heat gun
Heat guns are a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of purposes in candle-making, from fixing imperfections to creating beautiful designs. They are especially useful for managing container temperatures prior to pouring wax into them, which helps to avoid cracking or shattering and ensures a smooth, finished top.
To use a heat gun to write on a candle, follow these steps:
- Cut a piece of wax paper or tissue paper large enough to wrap around the candle with some excess to hold onto.
- Place your desired image or text with the matte side facing out onto the candle, and wrap the wax paper around it.
- Turn on the heat gun to a low setting and hold it about 8 inches away from the candle.
- Wave the heat gun back and forth over the graphic until the wax paper becomes bright, indicating that the image has fused into the candle.
- Before the wax on the candle cools, gently pull back the wax paper.
It is important to exercise caution when using a heat gun as the air temperature can reach extremely high levels. Additionally, some heat guns use gas instead of electricity, so ensure you are using the appropriate type for candle-making.
Heat guns can also be used for other purposes in candle-making, such as creating tie-dye candles by melting different colours of wax onto the surface and then swirling them together with the heat gun. They can also be used to preheat jars before pouring wax, clean candle-making supplies, and fix bumpy tops on candles.
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Frequently asked questions
Choose an ABT Dual Brush Pen in your desired colour. Apply the ink to a blending palette and use the stamp to pick up the ink. Stamp the design directly onto the smooth side of a piece of tissue paper. Place the tissue paper on your candle with the smooth side facing up, ensuring the writing is not inverted. Secure the tissue paper with baking paper and a clip, then blow-dry the baking paper to bond the tissue paper to the candle.
Measure the area of the candle that you want to design and draw a frame for your sketch. Trace your lettering sketch with a Fudenosuke brush pen or MONO drawing pen size 3. Place tissue paper over the template with the smooth side facing up and secure it with a clip or paper tape. Trace your lettering with your Fudenosuke, then cut out your lettering. Make sure to cut as close as possible to the lettering to avoid any superfluous edges.
Make and print your graphic or download a graphic from the internet. Cut a rectangular piece of tissue paper with a one-inch margin around your words or image. With the shiny side of the tissue paper down, attach it to a piece of copy paper with painter's tape. Print your graphic onto the tissue paper, then trim the graphic with rounded corners. Position the graphic onto your candle and take a piece of wax paper large enough to go around the candle. Turn on the heat gun to a low setting and hold it about 8 inches from the candle, waving it back and forth over the graphic. When the wax paper becomes bright, gently pull off the wax paper before the candle wax cools.
