How do you make candles?

This is a question that often asks a candle-maker. It’s surprising to learn that melting wax, adding fragrance and colors, then pouring it into containers with wicks are not all it takes. This is not just a craft, but a science. As with any science, it requires research, testing, experiments, and retesting, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

You should treat your candle-making as a serious endeavor, whether you’re making it for yourself, as a gift, or for someone else. A perfect candle will not be made in one day. You may need to work for months before you can make a candle that is not only beautiful but also smells amazing. While this article will not show you how you can make a candle, it will provide some guidance on how to get started, research what materials to buy and how to test them.

These three helpful tips:

Do your research.

Get supplies in small quantities.

Take notes and test all candles.

Step 1: Do Your Research

The most important thing is to be educated about wax for candle making. This will make the process easier and save you headaches later.

Information on candle-making is abundant online. You can start by searching for “candle-making supplies” to begin looking at suppliers’ websites. This will allow you to see what is available in terms of different waxes.

Once you start making candles, the forum’s “search” tool will likely become your best friend. I recommend that you take notes and record any useful information during your search.

These are just some of the important things to keep in mind:

Waxes: Which types of waxes do you have? What is the best way to set certain waxes up? What are the best methods to melt and pour wax?

Wicks the most essential component to understand. What kind of wicks do you need?

Additives which additives are there and how do they work?

Containers & molds: Not all containers are the same. Some containers, such as large-mouthed or oddly shaped jars, can be difficult to wick. Molds are not always as easy to use as containers for making votives and pillars.

Fragrance oils & dyes How much fragrance oil should you add to the wax which are the best sources for strong fragrance oils When should you add the fragrance? What are the various types of dyes? How do you add dye?

Temperatures Yes. Temperatures are important. Learn about the suggested temperature for adding fragrance and dye as well as how to pour the wax.

Curing times while it’s tempting to want to burn a candle right away, candles that are left alone for a few more days will often retain a stronger fragrance. For certain fragrance oils and waxes, the curing time can vary.

Proper Test: There is a set of protocols that you must follow and some things to be aware of when testing. It involves burning a candle for a set amount of time to test it and then documenting the results. Noting the flame height and melt pool, wick characteristics, fragrance throw, as well other factors, is important. It’s very helpful to keep a record of the candle’s characteristics and use pictures or notes as references.

Troubleshooting Problems can and will occur in the candle-making industry. Be aware of common problems other candle-makers face and how to fix them.

2nd Step: Purchase Supplies in Small Quantities

New candle makers make the biggest mistake of buying large quantities of supplies hoping to create a wonderful candle in a matter of days. However, they soon discover that things are not going according to plan. It is best to buy small quantities for testing purposes and not in bulk.

You don’t have to be overwhelmed by the choice of what candle-making supplies you need. Many suppliers and craft shops sell starter kits and include the following:

Pouring pots,

A thermometer

Specific fragrances

Dyes,

Wax,

Wicks,

Containers,

Warning labels

Wick bars

Glue dots,

Instructions on how to make the candles.

Step 3: Test Your Candles. Keep your Notes.

Even though testing may seem stressful and tedious, it is the third-most important step in candle making. Are you looking for candles that have large flames? No. Do you want your candles to burn unevenly? No.

All waxes, containers, wicks, and fragrance oils work in different ways. Some fragrance oils are not compatible with soy wax. Other wicks will not work well with other containers. These and other problems can be eliminated by testing candles.

You can test your products by being organized and patient. A lot of candle makers quit the craft due to rushing through testing, which doesn’t produce the desired results. I keep track of how I make candles and how they are tested on index cards. Here is my process.