Wax Seals!

[Friend of Pens]

Thanks for the tips Jen. Looks like I need to break out the matches this weekend and start playing around.

[chud]

One comment to add -- I've seen a couple of estimates for how many seals you get out of a stick, at 20-25 or so.

 

In my experience, the number is considerably higher; I did about 18 seals last night (marathon Christmas cards), and I didn't get into the lettering on the Atelier Gargoyle stick I was using. I'd guess I used maybe 25% of it, not quite.

 

Now, my seal is on the small side (there are pictures of it in a review I posted quite awhile ago on the A.G. wax, it's probably findable with a search in the reviews topic). Your mileage will vary considerably depending on the size of the seal you use. I find that between 6 and 10 drops of wax works well with mine, depending on how prominent a border-blob I want around it.

[cmeisenzahl]

Fantastic post, thanks!

[Djehuty]

I purchased a seal from wax-works.com, and it is very disappointing. The engraving is so shallow that it doesn't imprint the design into the wax well enough for it to be seen. You have to hold it just so and catch the light just the right way in order to see the seal.

 

Do they all use the same laser engraving process? Might anyone know which ones would be capable of making a somewhat complex seal which would still make a good impression? The design used was the same as in my avatar, only drawn with a simple line rather than the "fountain pen" brush in Illustrator. Ideally, I'd also like one that costs less than $100, since I'm not exactly swimming in money right now, but I'd rather wait for a more expensive good seal than buy another inexpensive one that doesn't work.

 

[WhosYerBob]

Do they all use the same laser engraving process? Might anyone know which ones would be capable of making a somewhat complex seal which would still make a good impression? Ideally, I'd also like one that costs less than $100, since I'm not exactly swimming in money right now, but I'd rather wait for a more expensive good seal than buy another inexpensive one that doesn't work.

No, they don't all use the same laser engraving process. The one recommended to me for outstanding seals is Dexter in the UK: ([post=http://www.familysealrings.com/deskseal.html]http://www.familysealrings.com/deskseal.html[/post])

 

However, a good seal is not cheap. I've been quoted $400 plus for a good one myself.

[jbb]

...Do they all use the same laser engraving process? Might anyone know which ones would be capable of making a somewhat complex seal which would still make a good impression?

 

For what it's worth, our laser engraver will not cut metal only materials like plastic, wood or glass. I assume you need a metal seal to handle the hot wax. So engraving metal is done with some other sort of equipment I believe -- not a laser which can produce the most intricate detail.

 

I had an personalized embosser made -- which is made of a hard, coated plastic material. That's a nice touch on letters.

[tfwall]

I paid, I believe, $113 for the Design Station to cut me a shallow and somewhat plain seal (see my post above). I recently received my Dexter seal which is very intricate and nice, but at the price of $700 for the seal and several hundred more for it be inscribed on a titanium signet.

[Djehuty]

For what it's worth, our laser engraver will not cut metal only materials like plastic, wood or glass. I assume you need a metal seal to handle the hot wax. So engraving metal is done with some other sort of equipment I believe -- not a laser which can produce the most intricate detail.

 

The guy running the operation said it was a computer-controlled laser engraving machine. It's quite possible he didn't know what he was talking about, as the seal doesn't make a legible impression in wax, and he won't return my emails. But that's where I got the "laser" idea.

 

[jbb]

For what it's worth, our laser engraver will not cut metal only materials like plastic, wood or glass. I assume you need a metal seal to handle the hot wax. So engraving metal is done with some other sort of equipment I believe -- not a laser which can produce the most intricate detail.

 

The guy running the operation said it was a computer-controlled laser engraving machine. It's quite possible he didn't know what he was talking about, as the seal doesn't make a legible impression in wax, and he won't return my emails. But that's where I got the "laser" idea.

I only know a little bit on the topic myself... There may be other types of lasers than the ones I'm familiar with.

[kiavonne]

Oh, boy.

 

It's bad enough that I have Fountain Pen Fever, now I hit this thread and dive headlong into more sealing wax and seals. Have any of you seen my paycheck? I think it flashed before my eyes on its way to yet another splurge on my collection of collections!

 

I used seals and sealing waxes long ago, now I'm about to get a new stash. uh huh. I blame Jen. All those great photos!

 

 

One observation: once the impressions are cooled, the metalic ink never dries completely on flexible seals but it does on real wax.

 

 

I'd wondered about this being a problem. I note upon visiting LetterSeals.com that they offer a highlighting ink that is supposed to dry on all waxes, traditional and faux. A little expensive, but I might give the Antique Gold or Silver a test run. And I'm going to try the AG waxes, I think, as well.

 

 

 

I purchased a seal from wax-works.com, and it is very disappointing. The engraving is so shallow that it doesn't imprint the design into the wax well enough for it to be seen. You have to hold it just so and catch the light just the right way in order to see the seal.

 

Do they all use the same laser engraving process? Might anyone know which ones would be capable of making a somewhat complex seal which would still make a good impression? The design used was the same as in my avatar, only drawn with a simple line rather than the "fountain pen" brush in Illustrator. Ideally, I'd also like one that costs less than $100, since I'm not exactly swimming in money right now, but I'd rather wait for a more expensive good seal than buy another inexpensive one that doesn't work.

 

About a year and a half or so ago, I ordered a custom engraved seal from Scribes Delight. I had the same happen with my order. The arwork was too fine lined, and consequently it stamped shallow and didn't show well. They did a fine job on the engraving, it's just that the design was just too intricate. Like your experience, I wasn't schooled on how the engraving process worked, or what would work best for a design. If you are willing to order from the UK, though, this Design Station page explains pretty much the whole process. It's possible your avatar logo could be recreated with a reversal of black/white image, maybe, and a simple border? Nonetheless, I'm seriously thinking of having one of my artist friends design a seal for me using this site's guidelines and templates. They had quite a selection of graphics to choose from for a "standard" seal, as well. I'm really considering ordering from them, even though the costs are going to be a shade higher. Their work, with many samples provided, seems quite good.

 

[Titivillus]

Just a little tidbit- I bought a murano glass handled seal at the Venetian in Las Vegas, when I looked at the offerings I noticed that there were some gaps in the letters and was told that the tradition is the first letter in the alphabet is on the left and the other is on the right.

 

 

haven't checked into the validity of that tidbit but I have one seal in that format.

 

 

Kurt

[kiavonne]

Gah! You're using the blood pen for an avatar. /shudder

 

 

I just ordered a supply of waxes from Atelier Gargoyle. I'm really looking forward to receiving them. Thanks for all the great pictures, Jen. Now, I have to save up for when I run out of the waxes and can buy a small batch of my favorite color scented solely in Clove. 20 sticks minimum order for that, might take me a while to get to that point, but clove... yum.

 

Along with the 28 lb display case that should be delivered tomorrow (dang, it better by gosh hold all my pens, inks, papers, seals and waxes, and everything else I can think of), I think I am now set to settle into enjoying my pens and all my writing accessories with deep satisfaction.