How to Stamp Your Recovery Phrase

Seed Keys utilize a stainless steel plate with pre-cut keys, a key ring, and a stamping jig to securely store Bitcoin recovery phrases. With a hammer and letter punch set, you can stamp the first 4 letters of each word onto the steel plate, creating a durable and long-lasting record.

The stainless steel construction provides protection against fire, flood, and deterioration, ensuring the seed phrase remains legible and intact over time. The included nylon cable tie allows you to turn the keys tamper-evident, adding an extra layer of security.

The process of using Seed Keys to secure your mnemonic phrase is straightforward and requires minimal equipment and technical expertise.

What You’ll Need

Make sure you have tested and verified that your seed phrase works before proceeding.

To use Seed Keys, you’ll need the following components:

• Stainless steel plate
• Stamping jig
• Letter punch set
• Hammer
• Split key ring
• Cable tie

You can obtain most of these components from Seed Keys. The Single-Sig Backup Key Set and the Multi-Sig Backup Key Set include everything except the letter punch set. However, you will need to provide your own hammer.

The following components are optional, but may be useful:

• Stamping block (to provide a solid surface for stamping)
• Tape (to secure the stainless steel plate)
• Black enamel marker (to make the stamped letters more legible)
• Paper towel or cloth (to wipe off any excess oil from the stamps, punch set, or enamel)

To prepare your workspace, you’ll need a hard, sturdy surface to support the stainless steel plate while you work on it.

When stamping your recovery phrase, ensure you’re in a private location where you can’t be observed or recorded. This includes avoiding areas with security cameras, smartphones, or other devices that could potentially capture images of your seed words.

Also, take your time and work carefully, as individual replacement keys are not available for purchase.

Watch the Video Tutorial

This video will walk you through the steps outlined below and provide a visual guide to help you understand the process.

Step 1: Stamp the First 4 Letters on Key 1

You can practice stamping on the blank key to get a feel for the process and avoid mistakes, before stamping your seed words.

Now is the time to tape the plate to a hard surface, if you wish to do so.

To start, position the stamping jig on key 1. You may have to wiggle it into place, if the frame is slightly bent due to shipping.

To prevent upside-down or sideways punching, the stamping jig features indications to differentiate between keys 1-12 (recto) and 13+ (verso).

Select the first letter of the first word. The stamp may be a bit oily, so gently wipe off any excess oil with a paper towel or cloth.

Ensure the correct orientation of the stamp, with the letter facing the left side, so that it can be read normally once stamped.

Place the stamp in the first hole on the left and align it straight to prevent damaging the jig. If it breaks, a replacement jig is available for sale.

Strike the stamp firmly 2–3 times with your hammer. Then, return it to its original position to avoid mixing them up in the box, .

Repeat this process for the remaining 3 letters of the first word, placing each stamp in the corresponding hole and striking firmly.

Once you’ve completed the 4 letters of the first word, you can highlight the letters with a black enamel marker, if you wish to do so. Rub them, and buff off the excess with some cloth or paper towel. Otherwise, move on to the next key.

Step 2: Repeat for the Remaining Words

Stamp the remaining words, by repeating the process from Step 1 for each word in your seed phrase.

Note that the frame around the top and bottom keys may be slightly bent due to shipping, but this can be easily adjusted by wiggling the jig into place.

Remember that the order of the words is crucial, so carefully check to ensure that each word is stamped on the correct key. Otherwise, you won’t be able to recover your funds.

Double-check the word number, key number, and letter orientation before stamping to avoid any mistakes.

Step 3: Remove the Stamped Keys from the Plate

To release the keys from the plate, rotate each key around its horizontal axis until it comes loose.

Be careful when handling the keys and the remaining frame, as both the keys and the metal clips that hold them in place can have sharp edges and points that may cause cuts. Take your time and handle everything carefully to avoid any accidents.

Step 4: Add the Stamped Keys to the Key Ring

To thread the keys onto the split key ring, insert the first key near the opening and leave it there to hold the ring open. Then, add the remaining keys one by one, and finally turn the entire set to secure them in place.

It’s essential to maintain the correct order for two important reasons:

• If the keys are not in order, some words may be visible, which could compromise the security of your seed phrase.
• If the keys are in order, seed recovery is more efficient.

Step 5: Secure the Keys with the Cable Tie

Each key set includes three self-locking nylon cable ties, each with a distinct color and a small label. These colors and labels enable easy identification and customization of your metal backup.

Insert the cable tie through the rectangular holes in the keys and pull it tight to secure the keys together. This activates the tamper-evident feature, indicating any unauthorized access or tampering.

Alternatively, you can store your Seed Keys in a tamper-evident bag to ensure the security of your mnemonic phrase.

Best Practices for Securing Your Seed Keys

To ensure the security and integrity of your Seed Keys, follow these best practices:

Store your Seed Keys in a secure location, such as a safe or a secure container, to prevent unauthorized access and theft.

Consider storing your Seed Keys in a separate location from your hardware wallet, such as a separate building. This will help to minimize the risk of both being compromised at the same time.

It’s also recommended to have multiple backup plans in place, such as creating multiple sets of Seed Keys or using other backup methods, to ensure that you can recover your funds even if one backup is lost.

Avoid discussing your Bitcoin holdings with others, as this can make you a target for physical attacks or other forms of exploitation. No matter how sophisticated your backup security setup is, it’s essential to prioritize your physical safety and security.

If you suspect that your Seed Keys have been compromised, such as if they’ve been lost, stolen, or tampered with, take immediate action to protect your funds. Send your funds to a new wallet, and consider replacing your Seed Keys with a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about using Seed Keys to store your recovery phrase securely. If you have any other questions or concerns, check the FAQ page for more information.

If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, visit the Support page for further assistance.

Is stamping 4 letters per word enough?

Yes, the 4-letter stamping method is sufficient due to the unique properties of the BIP39 wordlist. Each of the 2048 words has a unique first four letters, allowing for unambiguous identification

As a result, when recovering a seed phrase in a hardware wallet, typing the first four letters will autocomplete the correct word, ensuring accurate and efficient recovery.

What if I make a mistake while stamping the keys?

If you make a mistake while stamping the keys, don’t panic. For minor errors that don’t affect the word’s legibility, try re-stamping the correct letter or word.

However, if the mistake makes the word unclear or could be confused with another word from the BIP39 dictionary, it’s best to start fresh with a new metal seed phrase storage.

At the moment, individual replacement keys are not available for purchase.

Can I store the keys in separate locations?

While it is technically possible to store the keys in separate locations, effectively splitting your seed phrase, it is not recommended. Doing so would compromise the tamper-evident feature of the Seed Keys.

If you’re looking for enhanced protection, consider using a passphrase or exploring multi-signature wallets, which can offer more robust security features.

Resources:

• What is a BIP39 passphrase? by Blockstream
• What is multisig? by Unchained
• Multisig.Guide by QnA

What if I lose my Seed Keys?

If you lose your Seed Keys, there’s still hope to access your Bitcoin wallet and funds if you’ve memorized your seed phrase or have another backup. You can also access your funds if your hardware wallet is still set up.

However, it’s crucial to assume your recovery phrase is compromised and take immediate action to secure your funds. Send your funds to a new wallet, with a new seed phrase, as soon as possible.

Failure to take these precautions may result in losing access to your Bitcoin, with little chance of recovery.

How do I know if my Seed Keys have been tampered with?

To determine if your Seed Keys have been tampered with, rely on the tamper-evident feature. This can be achieved through the Seed Keys system itself or by using an external method, such as a tamper-evident bag.

When storing your Seed Keys, make a mental note of the color of the cable tie used to secure them, as well as any information written on the label.

If you notice that the cable tie has been cut, broken, or loosened, consider it a sign that your Seed Keys have been tampered with.