Print Impression Guide

Thank you for choosing Embers & Maple. I'm so honoured you've trusted me with something so meaningful. This page will guide you through taking your impressions step by step so you can achieve the best possible result.

Taking Your Impression

Inside your kit you'll find:

·        3 pieces of jeweller's wax in containers

·        Baking paper

·        Reply paid return packaging

·        A ring sizer if you have ordered a ring

You'll also need:

·        A bowl of warm water or a hair dryer

·        A clean flat surface

·        Clean, dry hands

Warm the wax until it becomes soft and pliable. You can do this by placing it in warm (not boiling) water for 1–2 minutes, or gently warming it with a hair dryer.

The wax should feel similar to blu-tack, soft enough to press into, but not sticky or melting.

Roll the wax into a smooth ball, or shape it to suit your piece:

·        Single impression pendants, double sided pendants or rings with a round centrepiece: round ball

·        Heart shaped prints with two imprints: soft oblong or sausage shape

·        Multiple impression pieces with a round centrepiece: round ball, flattened gently between two pieces of baking paper into a disc shape

·        Ring bands: soft oblong shape

Place the wax onto the baking paper on a flat surface.

Fingerprints

Hands should be clean and dry, so make sure they've been washed and dried thoroughly before you begin. For the clearest detail, avoid moisturiser immediately beforehand, make sure fingers are free from dirt or oils, and choose a finger with visible ridge detail.

If skin is very dry, a tiny amount of moisturiser rubbed in well can help prevent sticking.

Paw print or nose print

Best done while your pet is calm. Make sure your pet's paw or nose is clean and dry.

Single fingerprints

Position your finger over the wax and press firmly downward with even pressure.

·        Do not twist or rock your finger

·        Hold for around 2 seconds

·        Lift straight up, slowly, to avoid smudging

You should be able to clearly see the fingerprint ridges and lines in the wax.

Double-sided fingerprint (pendant only)

If you'd like your pendant to have impressions on both sides:

·        Position the wax between the two index fingers of the people whose impressions you're taking, or between your pet's nose/paw and your finger

·        Do not twist or rock fingers

·        Hold for around 2 seconds

·        Gently remove the wax from fingers slowly to avoid smudging, handling only the edges of the wax

You should be able to clearly see the fingerprint ridges and lines in the wax on both sides.

Two fingerprints in a heart shape

For pieces with two fingerprints shaped into a heart, use the soft oblong or sausage shape from Step 2.

·        Press each finger separately into the wax

·        Take one print on one side of the sausage and another print on the other

·        Try to keep even pressure across each print

Prints should be touching or slightly overlapping in the middle of the sausage, as this will form the centre of your heart when I shape it at my workbench.

Multiple fingerprints on one side

For pieces featuring more than one fingerprint, use the disc-shaped wax from Step 2 - this gives you enough surface area to fit multiple impressions onto a single piece.

·        Press each finger separately into the wax

·        Leave a small amount of space between impressions

·        Try to keep the pressure even across each print

You can place fingerprints side by side, slightly overlap them for a more organic look, or combine adult and child prints together for a sentimental, layered effect. Take your time positioning each finger before pressing down.

Paw and nose prints

·        Gently press the wax onto the pad of the paw, or onto your pet's nose, using the baking paper as a backing piece between your finger and their nose/paw

·        Hold for around 2 seconds, then lift straight up

If you can clearly see the fingerprint or paw/nose print with your eye, it will show up well in your piece.

If you're not happy with it, simply rewarm the wax, reshape it, and try again. Please use all three pieces of wax supplied in your kit, this allows me to choose the best impression for your final piece and gives me backups to choose from.

If you have ordered a ring, you will have received a ring sizer in your kit. The ring sizer works like a belt,  push the end through the buckle to form a ring shape. Slip it onto your finger and adjust to give a comfortable fit, checking that it slips back over your knuckle. Take the sizer off, being careful not to adjust the measurement and include the sizer in your reply paid envelope with your completed wax impressions.

·        Index fingers usually capture the clearest detail

·        Cooler wax gives sharper ridges

·        Wax that is too hot may blur the print

·        If your wax is cracking around the edges when you’ve taken your impression, your wax is too cold. Warm it slightly and take your imprints again.

·        Make sure the piece of wax holding your impression isn't too thin, a slightly thicker piece of wax gives the best result

·        Children's fingerprints can be very faint; lighter pressure often works best. If your child is under 1 year old, taking an impression from their big toe or the crease underneath their fingerprint will give you a more defined print

·        Small imperfections are completely normal and part of what makes your piece unique

·        If you're having trouble getting a pet print impression, polymer clay can also be used. Simply include the clay impression in your return package and I can take a wax impression from it to create your piece

Once complete:

·        Place all three wax impressions back into their containers

·        If you have ordered a ring, please return your ring sizer showing the size for your preferred finger

·        Avoid touching the fingerprint surface

·        Keep away from heat and direct sunlight

Pack into the Embers & Maple box you received it in, along with your wax mould order card and place into the reply paid return packaging and post to:

Embers & Maple

PO Box 2105, Rowville VIC 3178

Australia

Please allow 4–6 weeks after I receive your wax impression for your piece to be carefully handmade and sent back to you. I'll keep you updated along the way and be in touch if I have any questions.

These pieces are totally unique and no two are ever the same. Each piece created will vary in size, shape, and texture, this is part of their magic.

Your finished piece will only be as good as the wax impression you provide. If I'm unable to use any of your wax impressions, or prints have been taken incorrectly, I will contact you and provide a replacement kit for $50 so you can take your impressions again.

Your final piece of impression jewellery is created using the lost wax casting method and is handmade in Melbourne by me, with love, care, and attention to detail. Due to the nature of the casting process, one piece of wax equals one piece of jewellery, the wax is destroyed in the process and can't be used to make more than one piece. If you'd like your wax impression used to make multiple pieces of jewellery, please contact me to discuss having a silicone mould made, for an additional cost.

I don't keep the additional wax pieces that aren't used to make your final piece of jewellery, if you'd like these returned, please let me know and I'll send them back with your finished piece.

If you have ordered a ring, I have included a ring sizer with your kit. Please use this to measure the finger you are planning to wear your ring on and return the sizer with you wax impressions.

If you've chosen to have gemstones added to your piece and have a preference for where they're placed, but haven't included this in the special instructions section of your online order, please let me know as soon as possible. All gemstones I use are heat resistant and are set prior to casting. Once casting is complete, I can't move any set gemstones without damaging your piece. If you haven't indicated a placement preference, I'll choose the best position for them.

Still have questions?