It can be confusing to choose which wax you need as there is a range of options while deciding on candle wax vs sealing wax- which one to choose for envelopes or mail seals? We’re here to rid you of your confusion and save you time.
There isn’t much information on the differences between these two waxes. People are usually confused between these and think any of the options can do the other’s work. But is it so? Let’s see.
Before diving into the differences between these two, let’s have some basics on how each of them works.
Candle Wax
In the beginning only beeswax was used to make candles. The core of the beeswax is a carbon-based solid that melts in the heat and turns into a flammable gas. The gas is the reason a candle can burn fuel and create light.
Candle wax is solid at room temperature, but as it is heated above that, it creates fuel. Beeswax became very popular after the invention of the candles, but slowly, people started making candle wax with other synthetic substances.
Coconut, petroleum, and soy became popular beeswax alternatives as the demand for wax started surpassing the production of beeswax, and there needed to be other raw materials.
Sealing Wax
Sealing wax, on the other hand, is made to seal envelopes. Before there was the use of envelope glues, the common option was to seal off the envelope with sealing wax. The wax needs to be hard and able to withstand the rough delivery system.
Sealing wax or wax seals, as commonly known, are made of wax and colored paraffin that gives off a shiny look. The core of the sealing wax is similar to the one of the candle but there are some more items mixed with the wax.
Sealing wax can be of different types. Most commonly used wax seal is the candle style wax. On top of the candle, there’s a wick, and the process of melting is simple. Just put the wick on fire like regular candles and as the top of the wax melts, blow off.
Just as the wax is warm and now semi-solid, apply it on top of the envelope facing downwards and let it drip. When the drops are enough, use a custom seal to print something on it as your wish.
Wax seals are also available as wax beads or wax pieces. The techniques for using those are almost similar. You have to melt the wax and use a seal to print your name or a message on top of the wax.
Candle Wax vs Sealing Wax – What’s the Difference?
Although there are similarities between both candle and sealing wax, some major differences are there in terms of ingredients.
When sealing wax was first made, the base mixture used to be a balance of beeswax and resin. Using resin is necessary because the seal needs to be flexible yet strong and shouldn’t break under pressure.
Sealing wax has resin and paraffin added to it to make itself flexible and stronger. On the other hand, candle wax is fragile and can never withstand the rough handling of the mail delivery system.
Sealing wax can come in two major varieties—coarse and smooth grinds. Coarse grind is used in bottle designs, and smooth one is used to sealing off mails and envelopes.
Wax seals are safe to use, unlike candle wax. They hardly ever break or meltdown in the delivery system. But candle wax cannot withstand the humid environment nor it can be flexible enough to not crumble down under pressure and vibration.
Both candle wax and wax seals can be made out of both natural and synthetic ingredients. One benefit of using synthetic materials in production is that they’re cheaper and longer-lasting. Synthetic wax seals can last for years easily.
However, naturally sourced waxes will be expensive and more prone to breakage, but they have a natural scent that can add a specialty to your candles and envelopes, which will add more value to them.
Conclusion
Now it’s clear to you what the differences are between candle wax and wax seals. As you see, there are some similarities between them, but for some ingredients, candle wax cannot be used as a good alternative to wax seals.