Explore the art and science of candle making by starting with the right selection of materials. Here's a list of essential candle making supplies to craft your own candles from scratch.
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10 Candle Making Supplies You Need | A Complete Guide
1. Candle Wax
This material is probably one of the most important items in candle making, as it is responsible for keeping your wick burning. It must stay intact in normal conditions and should melt in higher temperatures. Your candle wax has to be water-resistant and odorless, with low reactivity and toxicity.
Choosing the perfect wax for your candles requires looking at different factors such as texture, scent, and color. Here are different kinds of candle wax you can choose from:
- Beeswax: From the name itself, this type of wax is formed by honey bees. It has a naturally sweet smell due to honey production. Its melting point is higher than other candle waxes and it burns cleanly with no dust and dirt. However, if you're a beginner in candle making, you might find using this wax challenging.
- Paraffin wax: This is the least expensive and most commonly used candle wax. You can easily apply scent and color to it, but you'll likely notice black soot on its container and wick. It's also available in various blends and melting points.
- Soy wax: Made from soybean oil, this wax also has several blends and melting points. However, unlike paraffin wax, it burns cleaner and would require more dye to achieve your desired color.
- Gel wax: Using a gel wax results in translucent candles. It's composed of polymer resin and mineral oil. Keep in mind that this kind of wax is not firm enough to stand freely on its own so it's best to put it in containers.
- Palm wax: This natural candle wax is made from palm oil and produces a feathered or crystallized design on the surface.
2. Candle Wicks
This item is a strip of material that keeps the flame of your candles. It's as essential as your wax since your candles won't light without it. Once you burn your wick, it will start to disintegrate and your wax will begin to melt and vaporize.
Your candle will only burn properly if its wick has the right thickness or size. Too small wicks won't completely melt the wax and too large ones would produce a lot of smoke. Consider also your container's shape and size as well as the wax type and additives you'll use.
Like candle wax, wicks also come in various forms and materials:
- Cored: If you'll place your candles in votives or containers, using a cored wick would be perfect. Inside its knitted or braided thread are paper, zinc, and cotton which make it rigid.
- Square: This wick is characterized by round corners and square tips. It's good to use in pillars, beeswax, and taper candles. Its tip slightly bends while burning.
- Flat: This is the most common type of candlewick and is best for a free-standing, pillar, and taper candle. It's made of small threads knitted or braided into a bundle. After burning, this wick will trim and curl on its own.
- Specialty: For unique candles such as those used for insect repellents and in oil lamps, you must use specialty wicks.
3. Wick Holder
As you pour your candle wax into your container or mold, your wick must be in place. Use a holder to ensure that your wick won't fall into your wax.
If you're using pre-waxed wicks that were already dipped in beeswax or paraffin, the usage of a wick holder would be minimal.
4. Candle Molds
Another important candle making supply would be a candle mold. You can be creative in candle making with its unique and interesting shapes.
It's typically made of three different kinds of material – silicone, metal, and plastic. While you can experiment with various shapes using silicone and plastic, a metal mold would give you the best finish.
Don't forget that there are specific wax types that can be poured into candle molds. Beeswax and paraffin would be your best options.
You can also be resourceful and use items in your house, like empty milk cartons or muffin tins, to serve as your candle molds.
5. Wicking Needle
Eliminate the stress of threading your wick through your candle mold with a wicking needle. This material is helpful especially when you need to thread a thick candle wick through a small hole.
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6. Melting Pot
When you melt your wax on the stove, it should not be subjected to direct heat. Use a melting pot to perfectly melt your candle wax.
7. Thermometer
Candle making requires you to carefully monitor your candle wax. You can use either a candle thermometer or an infrared gun to check the temperature.
Be sure that your wax is not extremely hot, as other supplies such as fragrance oils have to be added at a certain temperature.
8. Candle Dye
This item is designed to add color to your candles. However, ensure first that it would work well in your candle wax. Remember that some wax types, like soy wax, would require more color application.
Candle dyeshave several kinds – liquid, chips, and blocks. A liquid dye is the easiest to use since it doesn't need to be dissolved. You can also use it in mixing colors. Like dye chips, it produces light and pastel shades in soy wax, and light to dark shades when applied into paraffin.
On the other hand, dye blocks produce vibrant and dark colors in soy wax. You can also apply this to large batches of paraffin for easy coloring.
9. Fragrance or Essential Oils
Pleasant aromas would be a delightful additive to any candle. Make your candles scented by adding an ounce of oil for every pound of candle wax.
While fragrance oils have the most reliable and consistent scent, essential oils are more natural since they're extracted from parts of plants. Fragrance oils offer more variety when it comes to scents. However, if you're sensitive or allergic to certain types of aroma, essential oils are a better option. They are also used in aromatherapy and other treatments.
10. Candle Jars
Upgrade your free-standing candles and use modern jars instead. They're a perfect alternative to traditional designs and are also versatile as you can put any candle wax in it.
Give your candles a perfect finish with any container or jar of your choice. You can choose from jars with a smooth and polished surface or frosted ones to hide imperfections on your candle wax.
With complete candle making supplies, you can show your creativity and personalize your candles. Watch this video by CandleScience to learn how to make your own scented soy wax candles:
Candle making can be easy, fun, and safe as long as you have the necessary supplies. Customize your candles and give them as a gift to your family and friends this holiday season.
What other candle making supplies do you have in mind? Let us know in the comment section below!
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I am interested in making flat candles were can I buy the molds and stands for theses.i also could use instructions thanks.
I did some candlemaking a few years ago and u think it’s important to warn about using certain glass jars or containers because sometimes the heat from in the candle can make the glass jar or container break and cause a fire not to mention a big mess. I think it was wise to make sure Temps are monitored when making candles and the supplies are correct as well. So thank you for detailing that for me. I learned a lot.