DIY candles with paper napkins on kitchen countertop with a basket of hydrangeas and white pumpkins.

DIY Custom Candles With Napkins: How to Transform Plain Candles

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A simple, budget-friendly craft, learn how to make DIY custom candles with napkins using plain pillar candles, paper napkins, wax paper, and an iron.

DIY candle project with paper napkins in the kitchen with fresh hydrangeas and pumpkins.
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When I saw a set of botanical paper napkins while I was scrolling H&M’s website one day, I knew they needed to be used for something more than just napkins at a place setting.

The beautiful print and warm colors felt too special to be crumpled up and just tossed after dinner.

Over the past few months, I had seen creators on social media share the idea of transferring napkin designs onto candles, so I thought the napkins I found, would be the perfect way to try the technique for myself.

Let me tell you…this DIY project turned out to be so easy (I have to be honest, I was nervous it was going to be harder than it looked), and the results were even more beautiful than I could have anticipated!

With just a few simple supplies and a little heat, my ordinary pillar candles were completely transformed into something custom and cozy.

If you’ve been holding onto pretty napkins you don’t want to waste, this DIY is a great way to give them a second life.

Let me show you how to make your own custom DIY candles with paper napkins.

No candle making required!

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Why You’ll Love this DIY

  • AFFORDABLE – The supplies for this project are inexpensive and easy to find.
  • QUICK & EASY – No melting wax or messy pouring. Just a few materials and takes less than 15 minutes.
  • CUSTOMIZABLE – Use napkins that fit your home decor style, the season, or holiday.

Supplies You’ll Need to Make Custom Candles

You don’t need anything fancy for this craft project, just standard pillar candles, decorative napkins, and a couple of everyday tools.

  • Plain Pillar Candles: The base for your project, any size will work.
  • Decorative Paper Napkins: Pick seasonal, floral, or patterned napkins to match your decor. Just make sure the napkin is large enough to fully wrap around the candle.
  • Wax Paper: The barrier between the iron and the paper napkin. You can also use parchment paper, which is what I used.
  • Scissors: For trimming the napkin to fit your candle.
  • Iron: You’ll use a low-medium heat setting without steam.

materials you’ll need

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I’m Heidi, the heart and hands behind Eleanor Rose Home.

Heidi and her dachshund rescue Eleanor Roosevelt.

I’ll show you that your home can become a place of warmth, comfort, and style with practical tips, creative ideas, and my own journey to help you create a space that feels like you…welcoming, personal, and full of charm.

More About me See more easy diys

How to Make DIY Candles Using Paper Napkins

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to turn plain pillar candles into a custom decoration in just a few minutes.

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Here’s how to do it…

01

Prepare the Napkin

Separate the printed layer of the napkin from the plain backing. Most napkins are 2–3 ply, so carefully peel off the thin printed layer (you can throw the rest of the napkin away).

  • Botanical paper napkins and scissors to make DIY custom candles.
  • Peel the paper napkin apart to remove just the top layer of the napkin for the candle DIY.
  • The paper napkin separated into two pieces to make custom candles.
  • The top piece of the paper napkin cut into two sections to cover pillar candles.
02

Position the Napkin

Place the napkin with the print side facing out around the candle. Cut the napkin to the size of the candle both in height and circumference.

  • Wrap the paper napkin around the pillar candle to determine how much you need to trim off the napkin.
  • Trim off the excess paper napkin to adhere the napkin to the candle properly.
  • With a pair of sharp scissors, trim the extra napkin and discard.
  • Remove any excess napkin from the circumference of the candle.
03

Wrap With Wax Paper

Tear off a piece of wax paper that’s large enough to wrap around the candle. Hold it tightly, making sure the waxy side faces the candle.

The simple supplies to adhere the napkin to the candle include scissors, parchment paper, and an iron.
04

Apply Heat

With your iron on a low to medium heat setting (no steam), carefully and gently press it onto the wax paper. Move slowly and evenly across the candle.

Place a piece of wax paper over the candle and napkin, then use an iron to apply heat to adhere the napkin to the pillar candle.
05

Remove the Wax Paper

Once the napkin has bonded, carefully peel away the wax paper. Your design should now look like it’s part of the candle! Use the iron to touch up any areas as needed.

  • Custom DIY candle using a paper napkin to create personalized home decor.
  • DIY botanical printed candles on kitchen countertop with a basket of fresh hydrangeas.

NOTE: I wanted my candles to look rustic and organic so I did not evenly melt the candle wax onto the paper napkin. You might notice that spots are shinier from the wax than others. This is the look I was going for. If you prefer a cleaner finish, take your time with the heat and apply even pressure around the entire candle.

Helpful Tips

  • Make sure the napkin you use is large enough to fully wrap around the candle, especially for wider pillars.
  • Don’t overheat the candle, the goal is just to melt the surface of the candle enough for the napkin to stick.
  • You can try this DIY technique on other candles like taper candles or votives.
  • Use the iron to gently go over the edges, helping to seal down any loose bits of the napkin for a finished look.
  • If you’re using a darker colored napkin, use a darker candle underneath.
Paper napkin candle DIY craft is a great way to customize your home decor for the fall season.

Where to Display Your Handmade Candles

Once you’ve made your DIY custom candles, the fun part is deciding where to show them off.

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These candles are so versatile that they can be styled in any room of your home, here’s a few ideas…

  • Dining Room Table
  • Kitchen Counter
  • Fireplace Mantel
  • Entryway Table
  • Seasonal Vignettes

Place your candle inside this DIY candle ring!

learn how to make it
How to make a candle ring with natural elements using just floral wire and hot glue to secure them to the grapevine wreath.

Frequently Asked Questions: Custom Candles With Paper Napkins

Where can I find decorative napkins?
HomeGoods is my favorite place to find them because they have pretty seasonal designs at inexpensive prices. Target, Walmart, craft stores, and Amazon all carry decorative napkins that would work for this DIY project as well.

Can I burn these candles?
I recommend using these candles as decoration only. Because the napkin sits on the outside layer of wax, it can become a fire hazard if the flame reaches it. (I did burn mine for a couple of minutes to darken the wick to give the candle a cozier look.)

Will this DIY work on flameless candles?
I have not tried this technique on a flameless LED candle, but the process should be the same (without having to worry about heat or fire risk). Wrap the napkin around the candle, use wax paper, and lightly heat to transfer the design.

Did you make this craft?

Mention us @eleanorrosehome or tag us using #eleanorrosehome so we can see your creations. You can also leave a comment below!

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xoxo, Heidi

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6 Comments

  2. I love these candles!
    I do this but I use my blow dryer on a hot setting rather than use my iron.

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