How to Make Wax Seal Frame Stamps with Hot Glue DIY

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How to Make Wax Seal Frame Stamps with Hot Glue DIY

Wax seals are already timeless, but when you turn them into custom photo wax seals, they become deeply personal, nostalgic, and completely irresistible.

This project transforms printed photos into miniature framed wax seals that look like tiny heirlooms—perfect for greeting cards, creative stationery, and keepsake crafts.

Using printed images, a frame wax stamp, and clear glue sticks, you can create detailed faux wax seals that capture the charm of traditional sealing without the pressure of molten wax.

This technique is especially ideal for creative projects where you want consistency, flexibility, and the ability to work at a slower pace.

I used tiny printed images of my kitten from last year (cue the feelings), scaled them down to fit inside miniature frame stamps, and turned them into tiny framed “seals” that look like vintage portraits.

Whether you want pets, people, holiday photos, or illustrations, this method works beautifully and opens the door to endless customization.

Be sure to watch the video here!

Using printed images, a frame wax stamp, and clear glue sticks, you can create detailed faux wax seals that capture the charm of traditional sealing without the pressure of molten wax. This technique is especially ideal for creative projects where you want consistency, flexibility, and the ability to work at a slower pace. I used tiny printed images of my kitten from last year (cue the feelings), scaled them down to fit inside miniature frame stamps, and turned them into tiny framed “seals” that look like vintage portraits. Whether you want pets, people, holiday photos, or illustrations, this method works beautifully and opens the door to endless customization. Be sure to watch the video here!

Choosing the Right Frame Wax Stamp

The key to this project is choosing the right frame wax stamp. Frame-style stamps allow you to place an image inside while keeping the raised border intact.

Popular Frame Shapes
Rectangle frame
Oval frame
Classic rectangle shapes with ornate edges
Styles with a scalloped edge
Simple or ornate outline design

Many frame stamps have an approximately 0.75-inch opening, which is ideal for tiny photos. Always measure the inner opening before printing images so everything fits cleanly.

Choosing the Right Frame Wax Stamp The key to this project is choosing the right frame wax stamp. Frame-style stamps allow you to place an image inside while keeping the raised border intact. Popular Frame Shapes Rectangle frame Oval frame Classic rectangle shapes with ornate edges Styles with a scalloped edge Simple or ornate outline design Many frame stamps have an approximately 0.75-inch opening, which is ideal for tiny photos. Always measure the inner opening before printing images so everything fits cleanly.

Supplies Needed for Picture Frame Wax Seals:

Here’s what you’ll need to make custom photo frame wax seals:

Frame-style brass wax seal stamps
Printed photos or images (scaled to fit)
Clear glue sticks (or regular glue sticks)
Glue gun
Parchment paper
Bright gold acrylic paint marker
Flat project surface
Scissors or craft knife
Tweezers (optional)

Optional extras:

Ink pads for tinting images
Wax sticks or wax beads for traditional sealing
Small ruler for measuring openings

Supplies Needed for Picture Frame Wax Seals: Here’s what you’ll need to make custom photo frame wax seals: Frame-style brass wax seal stamps Printed photos or images (scaled to fit) Clear glue sticks (or regular glue sticks) Glue gun Parchment paper Bright gold acrylic paint marker Flat project surface Scissors or craft knife Tweezers (optional) Optional extras: Ink pads for tinting images Wax sticks or wax beads for traditional sealing Small ruler for measuring openings

Step 1: Prepare and Print Your Images

Start by selecting images with good contrast and clear details. Faces, pets, and simple illustrations work best at a small scale.

Resize your image so it fits inside the frame opening. Most frame stamps work well with images slightly under 1 inch—many around an approximately 0.75-inch opening.

Print the images on regular printer paper or lightweight cardstock. Matte paper works best to prevent glare under the glue.

Step 1: Prepare and Print Your Images Start by selecting images with good contrast and clear details. Faces, pets, and simple illustrations work best at a small scale. Resize your image so it fits inside the frame opening. Most frame stamps work well with images slightly under 1 inch—many around an approximately 0.75-inch opening. Print the images on regular printer paper or lightweight cardstock. Matte paper works best to prevent glare under the glue.

Step 2: Set Up Your Work Surface

Lay down parchment paper on your project surface. This is not necessary although—hot glue will peel right off parchment once cooled, making cleanup easy and stress-free...so if you've cut out your pictures ahead of time definitely work over a non stick surface.

Have your glue gun heated and ready before placing images.

Step 2: Set Up Your Work Surface Lay down parchment paper on your project surface. This is not necessary although—hot glue will peel right off parchment once cooled, making cleanup easy and stress-free...so if you've cut out your pictures ahead of time definitely work over a non stick surface. Have your glue gun heated and ready before placing images.

Step 3: Apply Clear Hot Glue Over the Image

Place your printed image face-up on the parchment paper. Using your glue gun, carefully cover the image with warm wax–like glue from a clear glue stick.

Work quickly before the glue dries:

Start in the center
Let the glue spread outward naturally
Avoid air bubbles if possible

The goal is to create a smooth dome over the image, similar to a glass cabochon.

Step 3: Apply Clear Hot Glue Over the Image Place your printed image face-up on the parchment paper. Using your glue gun, carefully cover the image with warm wax–like glue from a clear glue stick. Work quickly before the glue dries: Start in the center Let the glue spread outward naturally Avoid air bubbles if possible The goal is to create a smooth dome over the image, similar to a glass cabochon.

Step 4: Press the Frame Wax Stamp

While the glue is still warm (but not runny), gently place wax seal stamp frame-side down onto the glue-covered image.

Press evenly and hold it steady. This step mimics the process used when you melt wax beads and press a stamp into warm wax, but with much more control.

Let everything cool completely—about 1–2 minutes.

Step 4: Press the Frame Wax Stamp While the glue is still warm (but not runny), gently place wax seal stamp frame-side down onto the glue-covered image. Press evenly and hold it steady. This step mimics the process used when you melt wax beads and press a stamp into warm wax, but with much more control. Let everything cool completely—about 1–2 minutes.

Step 5: Remove the Seal

Once cooled, gently lift the stamp away.

You should have a solid framed seal with the image embedded underneath.

Step 6: Trim the Seals

Trim around the outer edge with scissors or a craft knife. Follow the shape of the frame carefully, especially around:

Scalloped edges
Ornate rectangle shapes
Decorative borders

This trimming step really defines the finished look.

Step 6: Trim the Seals Trim around the outer edge with scissors or a craft knife. Follow the shape of the frame carefully, especially around: Scalloped edges Ornate rectangle shapes Decorative borders This trimming step really defines the finished look.

You can cut around the frame shape or cut around the hot glue shape for a different look.

I did a few of each option, so you can see which you like best.

Step 7: Add Metallic Detail for a Vintage Look

To enhance the frame, use Decocolor metallic markers to highlight the raised areas. Gold is especially beautiful and creates a timeless, antique effect.

Lightly brush the marker over the raised frame details:

Don’t press too hard
Let the natural texture guide the color
Focus on edges and corners

This step adds dimension and makes the seal look like a tiny classic picture frame.

Step 7: Add Metallic Detail for a Vintage Look To enhance the frame, use Decocolor metallic markers to highlight the raised areas. Gold is especially beautiful and creates a timeless, antique effect. Lightly brush the marker over the raised frame details: Don’t press too hard Let the natural texture guide the color Focus on edges and corners This step adds dimension and makes the seal look like a tiny classic picture frame.

Optional Variations and Design Ideas:

Once you’ve mastered the technique, try experimenting with different styles:

Use stamps with detailed borders to mimic the look of a postage stamp. These work beautifully for mail art and envelopes.

Why Make Photo Wax Seals?

Traditional brass wax seal stamps are beautiful, but they’re usually decorative or symbolic. By adding images, you turn the seal into a storytelling element.

Photo wax seals are perfect for:

Handmade greeting cards
Scrapbooks and memory keeping
Holiday mail using the Holiday Magic Collection
Gift wrap embellishments
Journals and mixed media art
Keepsake boxes

They also have the look of a postage stamp or a tiny antique portrait, which adds a vintage, curated feel to any project.

Why Make Photo Wax Seals? Traditional brass wax seal stamps are beautiful, but they’re usually decorative or symbolic. By adding images, you turn the seal into a storytelling element.

Stamp Components: Handle, Head, and Size

Most wax stamps are made of two main parts:

A stamp head (usually brass)
A wooden handle that screws on and off

This interchangeable design lets you swap stamp heads easily while keeping the same handle. Some stamps come in a larger size, but for photo seals, small to medium sizes work best.

Pay attention to approximate sizes listed in product descriptions, especially when ordering online. Many sellers in the United States offer detailed sizing charts and free shipping, and good customer service can help confirm measurements if you’re unsure.

Stamp Components: Handle, Head, and Size Most wax stamps are made of two main parts: A stamp head (usually brass) A wooden handle that screws on and off This interchangeable design lets you swap stamp heads easily while keeping the same handle. Some stamps come in a larger size, but for photo seals, small to medium sizes work best. Pay attention to approximate sizes listed in product descriptions, especially when ordering online. Many sellers in the United States offer detailed sizing charts and free shipping, and good customer service can help confirm measurements if you’re unsure.

Wax Seal Color Variations

Tint images lightly with ink pads
Use tinted glue sticks
Add metallic accents in silver or bronze
Traditional Wax Hybrid

You can even press these photo seals onto real wax created with wax sticks for a mixed-media effect sealing an envelope.

Wax Seal Color Variations Tint images lightly with ink pads Use tinted glue sticks Add metallic accents in silver or bronze Traditional Wax Hybrid You can even press these photo seals onto real wax created with wax sticks for a mixed-media effect sealing an envelope.

Using Photo Wax Seals in Projects

These custom seals are incredibly versatile and can be used in many creative projects:

Attach to greeting cards with foam tape
Add to scrapbook pages
Decorate envelopes
Embellish gift tags
Use in journals or planners

Because they’re made with glue instead of wax, they’re lightweight and flexible, making them easy to adhere to paper projects.

Using Photo Wax Seals in Projects These custom seals are incredibly versatile and can be used in many creative projects: Attach to greeting cards with foam tape Add to scrapbook pages Decorate envelopes Embellish gift tags Use in journals or planners Because they’re made with glue instead of wax, they’re lightweight and flexible, making them easy to adhere to paper projects.

Tips for Best Results

Always test on scrap paper first
Measure your frame opening carefully
Use clear glue sticks for best clarity
Let glue cool fully before removing
Store finished seals flat to prevent warping

Customer Service and Shopping Tips

When shopping for frame stamps, look for sellers with good customer service, especially if you have questions about sizing.

Many suppliers in the United States offer free shipping, and some even stock themed sets like the Holiday Magic Collection, which is perfect for seasonal projects.

Customer Service and Shopping Tips When shopping for frame stamps, look for sellers with good customer service, especially if you have questions about sizing. Many suppliers in the United States offer free shipping, and some even stock themed sets like the Holiday Magic Collection, which is perfect for seasonal projects.

Creating custom photo frame wax seals is a meaningful way to combine memory keeping with classic craft techniques.

These tiny framed images feel nostalgic, personal, and beautifully detailed—proof that small-scale projects can have a big emotional impact.

That's it!

Whether you’re crafting for the holidays, preserving favorite photos, or just experimenting with new ideas, this technique turns everyday images into keepsakes you’ll want to use again and again.

Once you start making these, don’t be surprised if you suddenly want to turn every favorite photo into a tiny framed seal—they’re addictive in the best way.

Happy crafting 💛

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Whether you’re crafting for the holidays, preserving favorite photos, or just experimenting with new ideas, this technique turns everyday images into keepsakes you’ll want to use again and again. Once you start making these, don’t be surprised if you suddenly want to turn every favorite photo into a tiny framed seal—they’re addictive in the best way. Happy crafting 💛

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