How to Put a Picture on a Candle with Wax Paper

DIY Personalized Candles

Years ago I decided that personalized gifts are more meaningful then random “stuff”. In fact, I’ve decided it’s the perfect gift, especially for that person who seems to have everything and need nothing else? I think personalized gifts are so much more meaningful!

Awhile ago, my friend showed me how to put a picture on a candle, and I loved the project so much that I decided to recreate it for you! This makes a perfect Mother’s Day gift or even Christmas gift for a family member, friend, or loved one!

I think you’ll love how smooth it is to create these DIY picture candles… it’s surprisingly easy to do and a very quick project!

DIY picture Candles:

Candle Image Transfers Supplies:

These are the supplies you need for Candle Image Transfers! You probably have most of these on hand!

1. Pillar Candle: I used a 7 x 4 pillar candle (it did have a slight bit of texture, but doesn’t end up mattering since you smooth the area out with the heating tool anyway). You can use a smaller candle, just make sure your picture doesn’t fill the entire printer paper.
2. Digital Photo (if this is a surprise for a loved one, go find a great picture on the person’s Facebook account). I recommend you do a test print in black and white to make sure it prints at the best size for the candle. If not, either get a bigger candle or use your printers settings and make the picture smaller.
3. White Gift Tissue Paper (go to the dollar store if you don’t already have some)
4. Wax Paper (NOT parchment paper!) – the two are often confused, but parchment paper is nonstick and heatproof and won’t work for this project. Wax paper has a waxy side that will melt (and bond with the candle).
5. Heating tool or a lighter. A heating tool is going to work best. If you don’t have one, see if a friend or neighbor does that you can borrow from. OR use a 40% off coupon from Michaels and buy one. There are also some fairly low priced ones on Amazon. I recommend not paying more than $20 for one)
6. Printer, Plain Printer Paper, Tape, Scissors

Step 1: Select Photo & Prepare Paper:

Once you have your picture picked, simply take a piece of white tissue paper and cut it so just a bit larger than 8×11 (or whatever size of paper you’re using in your printer).

Fold the tissue over the printer paper and tape the excess tissue paper to the back of your printer paper, like so:

Step 2: Print Image on Tissue Paper:

Once your paper is taped, place it into the printer. Make sure the tissue paper is the side that gets printed on. If you aren’t sure which way to place the paper in your printer, do a test run by marking a plain piece of paper with a star. After the paper prints, you’ll be able to figure out which side the tissue paper needs to be facing on.

PRINTING TIP: Set the printer paper properties to “transparency film” as this setting prints perfectly on tissue paper.

Step 3: Trim

Sweet! That looks so great, right? Next step is to trim your image down so it fits the candle nicely. Simply trim the background away.

Be sure to cut the edges precisely…  especially if your subject is on a dark background. When the picture is bonded to the candle, every little mis-cut will show up.

Step 4: Add the Wax Paper Layer

Once your image is trimmed, place it onto the pillar candle, ink side up. Your tissue paper may even have a bit of static, which will help it stay placed on the candle.

Next take a piece of wax paper and wrap it around your candle. Make sure the waxy side is touching the tissue paper.

Pro Tip! Use extra wax paper! This will give you a little extra that you can hold on to, which will help with the next step. You can cut off any remaining wax paper. 🙂

Step 5: Heat Wax Paper to Transfer Image to Candle

This step moves quickly! Be sure you are using that extra wax paper and pulling the wax paper very tight and smooth. You could either use your hands OR rubber bands. Just make sure it’s tight, so you don’t have any air bubbles or wrinkles.

Carefully heat the wax paper with your heating tool. You’ll see it start to melt over your photo (this will take a minute or less to do). Be sure to constantly move the heat tool evenly, side to side, to avoid overmelt.

Once the wax paper begins to melt, you’ll begin to see your image come through the paper. Stop heating once you can clearly see the image.

Step 6: Peel Away the Wax Paper

Slowly peel the wax paper away from the candle. And then admire your beautiful handiwork!

Note: If you see some inconsistencies in the wax coverage, quickly go over the picture (about 10 seconds, side to side) with the heat tool again to smooth it out. DO NOT DO IT TOO LONG! Otherwise the wax will begin to drip!

Final Thoughts

So simple, right?

If you see any bits of wax out of place, simply use your finger to lightly pat down or wipe away the flakes.

It is NOT recommended to burn this candle down to the picture, though. Although I’m not sure who would want to do that? Ha ha.

The Perfect Gift Idea

This would definitely make a unique gift to a grandparent or for Mother’s day, as a tribute to a passed loved one/pet, at a memorial service, a baby shower gift or rehearsal dinner or wedding table centerpieces. The uses are limitless!

I hope you enjoy making these candle image transfers yourself! If you try this DIY at home, let us know how it goes by leaving a comment below!

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