diff --git a/backend/letters/migrations/0005_letter_encrypted_dek.py b/backend/letters/migrations/0005_letter_encrypted_dek.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..76d0ced
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/letters/migrations/0005_letter_encrypted_dek.py
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# Generated by Django 6.0.4 on 2026-04-11 12:56
+
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+    dependencies = [
+        ("letters", "0004_letter_burned_at_letter_opened_at_letter_sealed_at"),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name="letter",
+            name="encrypted_dek",
+            field=models.TextField(blank=True, null=True),
+        ),
+    ]
diff --git a/backend/letters/models.py b/backend/letters/models.py
index 6f4a137..9b3d98e 100644
--- a/backend/letters/models.py
+++ b/backend/letters/models.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ class Letter(models.Model):
     sealed_at = models.DateTimeField(null=True, blank=True)
     opened_at = models.DateTimeField(null=True, blank=True)
     burned_at = models.DateTimeField(null=True, blank=True)
+    encrypted_dek = models.TextField(null=True, blank=True)
 
     def clean(self):
         # custom validation
diff --git a/backend/letters/serializers.py b/backend/letters/serializers.py
index 000d2e2..68feafe 100644
--- a/backend/letters/serializers.py
+++ b/backend/letters/serializers.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ class LetterSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
             "status",
             "encrypted_content",
             "encrypted_metadata",
+            "encrypted_dek",
             "unlock_at",
             "sealed_at",
             "created_at",
@@ -22,3 +23,10 @@ class LetterSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
     def create(self, validated_data):
         user = self.context["request"].user  # get user from access token
         return Letter.objects.create(user=user, **validated_data)
+
+    def validate(self, data):
+        if (data.get("encrypted_content") or data.get("encrypted_metadata")) and not data.get("encrypted_dek"):
+            raise serializers.ValidationError(
+                "encrypted_dek is required when encrypted_content and encrypted_metadata are present"
+            )
+        return data
diff --git a/backend/letters/tests.py b/backend/letters/tests.py
index 1baddbf..bff4e14 100644
--- a/backend/letters/tests.py
+++ b/backend/letters/tests.py
@@ -51,7 +51,12 @@ class LetterAPITest(APITestCase):
 
     def test_create_draft_letter_api(self):
         """Test API can successfully create a basic draft letter."""
-        payload = {"type": "KEPT", "encrypted_content": "enc_xyz==", "encrypted_metadata": "enc_meta=="}
+        payload = {
+            "type": "KEPT",
+            "encrypted_content": "enc_xyz==",
+            "encrypted_metadata": "enc_meta==",
+            "encrypted_dek": "enc_dek==",
+        }
 
         response = self.client.post(self.url, payload)
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 201)
@@ -59,3 +64,14 @@ class LetterAPITest(APITestCase):
         self.assertEqual(Letter.objects.get().status, "DRAFT")
         self.assertEqual(Letter.objects.get().type, "KEPT")
         self.assertEqual(Letter.objects.get().user, self.user)
+
+    def test_encrypted_dek_is_required_when_storing_encrypted_content_and_metadata(self):
+        """encrypted_dek is required when encrypted_content and encrypted_metadata are present"""
+        payload = {"type": "KEPT", "encrypted_content": "enc_xyz==", "encrypted_metadata": "enc_meta=="}
+        response = self.client.post(self.url, payload)
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 400)
+        self.assertEqual(Letter.objects.count(), 0)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            response.data["non_field_errors"],
+            ["encrypted_dek is required when encrypted_content and encrypted_metadata are present"],
+        )
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Editor.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/Editor.tsx
index 2f8b22a..41d6176 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Editor.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Editor.tsx
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ export default function Editor() {
 
             <button
               type="button"
-              className="btn btn-primary btn-sm rounded-full px-6 text-[10px] tracking-[0.3em] uppercase font-black"
+              className="btn btn-primary btn-sm rounded-full px-6"
             >
               <LockIcon size={14} weight="fill" className="mr-1" />
               Seal