What is Candle Making?
Candle making is the art and craft of creating candles from various wax materials, wicks, and additives. This ancient practice has evolved from a necessity for lighting into a popular hobby and commercial enterprise. Modern candle making combines traditional techniques with contemporary materials, offering crafters endless possibilities for creativity.
The basic process involves melting wax, adding fragrance and colour if desired, securing a wick in a container or mold, and pouring the liquid wax to cool and solidify. The key to successful candle making lies in understanding your materials and how they interact with each other.
Types of Candle Wax
Paraffin Wax
The most common and economical choice for beginners, paraffin wax is a petroleum-based product that offers excellent scent throw and vibrant colour acceptance.
Soy Wax
A natural, renewable alternative made from soybean oil. Soy wax burns cleaner and longer than paraffin, making it popular for container candles.
Beeswax
A natural wax produced by honey bees, prized for its sweet honey scent and natural golden colour. It burns the longest and cleanest of all waxes.
Coconut Wax
A premium natural wax made from coconut oil, known for excellent fragrance throw and clean burning properties.
Palm Wax
Derived from palm oil, this natural wax creates unique crystalline patterns and is excellent for pillar candles.
Wax Properties Comparison
| Wax Type |
Melting Point |
Burn Time |
Scent Throw |
Colour Take |
Natural |
Price Range |
| Paraffin |
120-150°F |
Good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
No |
$ |
| Soy |
115-125°F |
Very Good |
Good |
Good |
Yes |
$$ |
| Beeswax |
144-147°F |
Excellent |
Fair |
Limited |
Yes |
$$$ |
| Coconut |
100-107°F |
Good |
Excellent |
Good |
Yes |
\(\) |
| Palm |
125-135°F |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Yes |
$$ |
| Gel Wax |
200°F+ |
Fair |
Good |
Transparent |
No |
$$$ |
Wick Selection Guide
Cotton Wicks
The most versatile and widely used wick type, available in various sizes and constructions.
| Wick Size |
Container Diameter |
Wax Type Best For |
Burn Characteristics |
| CD-4 |
1.5-2” |
Soy, Coconut |
Small flame, minimal mushrooming |
| CD-6 |
2-2.5” |
Soy, Coconut |
Medium flame, good burn pool |
| CD-8 |
2.5-3” |
Soy, Coconut |
Larger flame, full burn pool |
| CD-10 |
3-3.5” |
Soy, Coconut |
Large flame, wide burn pool |
| HTP-52 |
2-2.5” |
Paraffin, Soy blend |
Hot throw, good for harder waxes |
| HTP-62 |
2.5-3” |
Paraffin, Soy blend |
Excellent hot throw |
| HTP-73 |
3-3.5” |
Paraffin, Soy blend |
Maximum hot throw |
Wood Wicks
Create a crackling sound and unique aesthetic appeal.
| Wick Width |
Container Diameter |
Flame Height |
Best Wax Types |
| 0.5” |
2.5-3” |
Low |
Soy, Coconut |
| 0.625” |
3-3.5” |
Medium |
Soy, Coconut |
| 0.75” |
3.5-4” |
Medium-High |
Soy, Coconut, Paraffin |
Fragrance Oil Guidelines
Fragrance Load Recommendations
| Wax Type |
Maximum Fragrance Load |
Recommended Load |
Flash Point Required |
| Paraffin |
12% |
8-10% |
185°F+ |
| Soy |
10% |
6-8% |
185°F+ |
| Beeswax |
6% |
3-4% |
185°F+ |
| Coconut |
12% |
8-10% |
185°F+ |
| Palm |
10% |
6-8% |
185°F+ |
Popular Fragrance Categories
| Category |
Examples |
Season |
Throw Strength |
| Fresh/Clean |
Ocean Breeze, Clean Cotton |
Spring/Summer |
Medium |
| Floral |
Lavender, Rose, Jasmine |
Spring |
Light-Medium |
| Fruity |
Apple Cinnamon, Citrus Burst |
Summer |
Medium-Strong |
| Woody |
Sandalwood, Cedar, Pine |
Fall/Winter |
Medium |
| Gourmand |
Vanilla, Cookie Dough, Coffee |
Year-round |
Strong |
| Seasonal |
Pumpkin Spice, Christmas Tree |
Seasonal |
Medium-Strong |
Essential Candle Making Supplies
Basic Equipment
| Item |
Purpose |
Price Range |
Essential Level |
| Double Boiler |
Melting wax safely |
$15-30 |
Essential |
| Thermometer |
Temperature control |
$5-15 |
Essential |
| Measuring Cups |
Measuring wax/fragrance |
$10-20 |
Essential |
| Stirring Utensil |
Mixing ingredients |
$3-8 |
Essential |
| Wick Stickers |
Securing wicks |
$5-10 |
Essential |
| Containers/Molds |
Candle vessels |
$1-20 each |
Essential |
Advanced Equipment
| Item |
Purpose |
Price Range |
Skill Level |
| Melting Tank |
Large batch production |
$100-300 |
Advanced |
| Wick Trimmer |
Professional wick maintenance |
$10-25 |
Intermediate |
| Heat Gun |
Fixing surface issues |
$20-50 |
Intermediate |
| Dipping Vat |
Taper candle making |
$50-150 |
Advanced |
| Mold Release |
Easy candle removal |
$5-15 |
Intermediate |
Container Options
Glass Containers
| Container Type |
Size Range |
Heat Rating |
Reusable |
Price Range |
| Mason Jars |
4-16 oz |
Medium |
Yes |
$1-5 |
| Apothecary Jars |
6-12 oz |
High |
Yes |
$3-10 |
| Rocks Glasses |
8-12 oz |
High |
Yes |
$2-8 |
| Wine Glasses |
6-10 oz |
Medium |
Yes |
$3-12 |
| Specialty Vessels |
4-20 oz |
Varies |
Yes |
$5-25 |
| Container Type |
Size Range |
Heat Resistance |
Appearance |
Price Range |
| Tin Cans |
2-8 oz |
Excellent |
Industrial |
$0.50-2 |
| Aluminum Tins |
1-6 oz |
Excellent |
Clean/Modern |
$0.75-3 |
| Copper Vessels |
4-12 oz |
Good |
Elegant |
$5-20 |
Additives and Colourants
Dye Types
| Dye Type |
Wax Compatibility |
Colour Intensity |
Usage Rate |
Price Range |
| Liquid Dye |
All wax types |
High |
0.1-0.5% |
$5-15 |
| Dye Blocks |
Paraffin, Soy blend |
Medium |
0.5-1% |
$2-8 |
| Powder Dye |
All wax types |
Very High |
0.05-0.2% |
$8-20 |
| Natural Colourants |
Natural waxes |
Light |
1-3% |
$5-25 |
| Additive |
Purpose |
Usage Rate |
Compatible Waxes |
Effect |
| Vybar |
Fragrance binding |
0.1-0.2% |
Paraffin |
Improved scent throw |
| Stearic Acid |
Hardening |
1-3% |
All types |
Harder candles |
| Microcrystalline Wax |
Strength |
1-5% |
Paraffin |
Reduced cracking |
| UV Inhibitor |
Colour protection |
0.1% |
All types |
Fade resistance |
Temperature Guidelines
Melting Temperatures
| Wax Type |
Melting Temp |
Fragrance Add Temp |
Pour Temp |
Cool Temp |
| Paraffin |
160-180°F |
185°F |
135-145°F |
Room temp |
| Soy |
160-170°F |
185°F |
125-135°F |
Room temp |
| Beeswax |
170-180°F |
185°F |
145-155°F |
Room temp |
| Coconut |
160-170°F |
185°F |
100-110°F |
Room temp |
| Palm |
170-180°F |
185°F |
130-140°F |
Room temp |
Common Issues and Solutions
Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem |
Cause |
Solution |
Prevention |
| Tunneling |
Wick too small |
Use larger wick |
Proper wick sizing |
| Mushrooming |
Wick too large |
Trim wick, use smaller size |
Test wick sizes |
| Poor Scent Throw |
Low fragrance load |
Increase fragrance % |
Use recommended load |
| Frosting |
Temperature shock |
Slow cooling |
Control cooling environment |
| Wet Spots |
Container adhesion |
Pre-heat containers |
Proper pour temperature |
| Sinkholes |
Cooling too fast |
Poke relief holes |
Gradual cooling |
Safety Considerations
Fire Safety
| Hazard |
Risk Level |
Prevention |
Emergency Action |
| Overheated Wax |
High |
Monitor temperature |
Remove from heat |
| Flash Fire |
High |
Never exceed flash point |
Cover, don’t use water |
| Hot Wax Spills |
Medium |
Use proper equipment |
Cool with cold water |
| Wick Fire |
Medium |
Proper wick sizing |
Extinguish flame |
Health Safety
| Chemical |
Exposure Risk |
Protection |
Ventilation |
| Fragrance Oil |
Skin/respiratory |
Gloves, mask |
Required |
| Dyes |
Skin |
Gloves |
Recommended |
| Hot Wax |
Burns |
Heat-resistant gloves |
Optional |
| Solvents |
Respiratory |
Mask, ventilation |
Required |
Cost Analysis
Startup Costs
| Item Category |
Basic Setup |
Intermediate |
Advanced |
| Equipment |
$50-100 |
$150-300 |
$500-1000 |
| Initial Supplies |
$30-60 |
$100-200 |
$300-500 |
| Total Investment |
$80-160 |
$250-500 |
$800-1500 |
Per-Candle Costs
| Candle Size |
Material Cost |
Container Cost |
Total Cost |
Retail Price |
| 4 oz |
$1.50-2.50 |
$1-3 |
$2.50-5.50 |
$8-15 |
| 8 oz |
$2.50-4.00 |
$1.50-5 |
$4-9 |
$12-25 |
| 12 oz |
$3.50-5.50 |
$2-7 |
$5.50-12.50 |
$18-35 |
This comprehensive guide provides the foundation for understanding candle making materials and their properties. Success in candle making comes from experimenting with different combinations while maintaining safety standards and quality control. Start with basic materials and gradually expand your supplies as your skills and interests develop.