While making molded candles is not necessarily more difficult than making container candles, they do demand a bit more technique, a few more supplies and most often require a greater time investment in determining the best use of additives and learning the molded candle craft. 
 
The main difference between container candles and molded candles is the use of molds.

Instead of pouring melted wax directly into a container where the candle will set up permanently, molds are used to cool the candle into a desired shape and are then released from the mold. Using molds requires the use of a release agent to make sure the mold comes off the candle once it is done cooling. 

Although candle molds can be purchased at most craft and hobby stores, you will find a much wider selection at one of the many specialty candle supply retailers online. Depending on the volume of molded candles you are making, you will want to be sure that you purchase enough molds to keep you continually pouring, keeping in mind that the molds will have to remain on the candles until the candles are hard enough to remove the mold.
 
Another difference between container and molded candles is the type of wax used in their production.

Molded candles use medium to high melting point wax. The waxes are typically much harder than those used for containers. When purchasing your wax, be sure to read the wax descriptions to see if it is made for use in the type of candles you are planning to pour. For example, many wax suppliers even go so far as to name their waxes with descriptors such as ‘votive blend’ or ‘pillar blend’. The more time you spend choosing your wax, the better the likelihood you will produce candles you are happy with.

Votive candles are one of the easiest molded candles you can make. They also require less wax to make than pillar candles, so they are ideal for the beginner. If you are unhappy with your initial results and need to make adjustments, it will require less wax to experiment with votives than it will with pillars.

Pillar candles are the other common type of molded candles. While votives tend to be offered in a few standard sizes, the size and shape options for pillars are far more varied. Not only do they vary in height, but also in diameter and shape. 
 
The best resource for detailed instructions on how to make molded candles is the retailer where you purchased your wax. If you chose to purchase wax and supplies from one of the many online, specialty candle making retailers, they typically offer detailed instructions for each type of wax they sell. Simply look up the wax you choose to work with and go from there.

Many of these sites also offer message boards where you can pick up some valuable tips from experienced molded candle makers to help you save time and money on troubleshooting. If you choose to buy your supplies elsewhere, there are many books available on the subject of candle making that are sure to take you in the right direction.  
     

While molded candles can be made with a variety of waxes, this article primarily addresses common issues that arise with the use of paraffin wax as natural waxes sometimes have their own troubleshooting issues to address.
 
One of the most common questions concerning molded candles is what to do if the candle will not come out of the mold. Typically this is caused by one of the following reasons.

You may have overfilled the mold causing the wax to set over the lip of the mold. If this happens, gently break away some of the dried wax from the lip and try not to go over the lip of the mold when you pour in the future.

Another reason is that your mold may be dented. If this is the case, you will most likely need to purchase a new mold. When molds are not in use, make sure they are stored in a safe place, preferably in their original packaging to prevent dents.

Sometimes the wax may have not had time to cool completely and is still adhering to the mold. Simply allow it to cool completely and try again. Lastly, you may be using a wax that is too soft. Make sure you are using a wax specifically made for making molded candles.
 
Another common problem is the formation of white spots all over the surface of the candle.

If you experience this, you may have added too much fragrance oil. Consider reducing the amount of fragrance oil or consider adding vybar to the wax mixture to help the wax retain the oil. This problem may also be caused by the candle cooling too slowly. If this is the case, try using a water bath to cool the candle more quickly.

If the surface of your candle has frost marks, typically the wax was too cool when it was poured, or the mold was too cold when the wax was poured into it. Make sure that you pour the wax between 180 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit (82 to 93 degrees Celsius), and make sure your molds are at room temperature before pouring into them.
 
If you experience your candles caving in or forming a well in the top, both of these issues are most likely a result of not poking relief holes in the wax after the first pour. Always make sure to poke relief holes in the wax after the first pour to make sure the tension is released while the candle is cooling. As the candle cools, do a second pour making sure that the wax is cooled enough to support additional wax, but not yet completely cooled.

There are numerous issues that may arise when pouring molded candles. Just keep in mind that other candle makers have probably experienced them too, and there is almost always a way to correct the issue if you seek help. Try checking online candle making message boards to see if the issue has been addressed there - most likely you’ll find a discussion about the problem, as well as solutions to fix it.

While container candles can be made with a variety of waxes, here we’re going to primarily address common issues that arise with the use of paraffin wax as natural waxes sometimes have their own troubleshooting issues to address.
 
One issue is the presence of lines on the inside of the glass. Most often, this problem occurs for one of two reasons. Either the container was not preheated before the wax was poured into it, or the wax was too cool when it was poured. To avoid this issue, try preheating your containers using a heat gun, or your oven on the lowest setting, before pouring into them. Also, try to pour your candles when the wax temperature is between 155 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit (68 to 79 degrees Celsius). 
 
Another common container candle issue is when the flame burns a tunnel down the middle of the candle. Typically, this is caused by one of two reasons.  Most often either the wick used in the candle is too small, or the candle was not burned for a long enough period of time. If you are experiencing tunneling, try using a larger wick size or consider double wicking. 

If this alone does not appear to be the problem, pay attention to the length of time you are burning the candle. The ideal burn time is long enough for the melt pool to form completely across the top of the candle before extinguishing. When wicked properly, this should occur in one to two hours.
 
Another common issue is the formation of discolored splotches on the sides of the candle. Usually, these splotches are the result of either having too much fragrance oil in the wax mixture or from having too much of the wrong type of additive in the wax.

If you believe that fragrance may be the issue, try reducing the amount of fragrance or adding vybar to the mixture to help the wax retain the oil. If you believe that additives are the issue, just remember to always use the least amount of additives necessary to achieve your desired result.
 
If you experience problems with the wick smoking too much when the candle is burning, you may have one of the following issues. The wick you are using may be too large, the wick needs to be trimmed, or the candle is in an area with too much draft. Try using a smaller wick, keep your wick trimmed to about one quarter of an inch, and make sure that there are no drafts where you are burning the candle. Also keep in mind that some waxes do tend to smoke more than others.
 
If your wick will not stay lit, your wick may be too small or you may have used too much dye and/or fragrance oil. If the wick is too small, it cannot consume wax fast enough to keep it above the wax level. Try using a larger wick to correct this. If you believe you used too much dye or fragrance oil, reduce the quantity and try again.
 
When container candles cool, sometimes the tops appear bumpy or rough. If this happens to you, consider placing the candle in the oven on the lowest setting to re-heat the wax. Let it cool again and see if the problem persists. Another technique is to use a heat gun along the top layer of the candle to re-heat it. Again, let it re-cool and see if this corrects the issue. 

If you are still experiencing the problem, consider doing a top pour on the candle. A top pour uses leftover wax from the candle by re-heating it and pouring it over the already cooled candle creating a new, smooth top layer. If you use this technique, be sure to use leftover wax otherwise you’ll have a top layer of a different color.

If your problem is that the top layer of the candle keeps cracking as it cools, then it’s likely that your candles are drying too quickly. Try placing them in a warmer place to cool more slowly, or consider wrapping the containers in aluminum foil so they are insulated and slower to cool.

There are numerous issues that may arise when pouring container candles. If you have other issues not covered here, try searching online candle making message boards to find solutions. Just keep in mind that other candle makers have probably experienced them too, and there is almost always a way to correct the issue if you seek help.
 

While some candle makers are choosing to produce simple, unencumbered gel candles, others have chosen to go even further by adding non-flammable embeds to their gel candles, giving the appearance of objects suspended in midair. For example, adding fish shaped embeds into a blue tinted gel candle will produce the appearance of fish swimming in water.
 
The use of embeds is not only limited to use in gel candles. They can also be used in paraffin and soy. While paraffin and soy waxes are not transparent like gel, the addition of embeds can add texture and color to semi-translucent wax, and are very popular in creating unique and unusual designs in pillar candles. 
 
Another hot trend in the specialty candle market is the production of bakery and food item candles. Candle makers have flexed their artistic muscles by creating candles that look like pies, complete with crust and realistic looking fruit. You’ll see everything from hot chocolate candles poured into cocoa mugs complete with floating marshmallows to candle tarts that look like amazingly realistic muffins and donuts. The possibilities are endless if you have a little bit of creativity - as well as ample time and patience.
 
Yet another rising trend in specialty candles is the popularity of wickless candles. These candles are created for the sole purpose of melting in or on a candle warmer, and will never actually be burned with a flame. Wickless candles can be jar candles, without the wick, made to set on a warmer in their container. The melted wax produces scent, without the need for an open flame.

Another wickless variety is the wax tart. These wax creations are scented wax poured into molds. When they set up they are solid pieces of scented wax that are placed into simmer pots or wax melters to melt the wax.

These wickless options provide the wonderful fragrances of candles but without an open flame, making them perfect for people who have burn restrictions in their living or work spaces. Wickless candles and tarts are increasingly popular in schools, hospitals, dorm rooms, nursing homes and anywhere an open flame is not allowed.
 
Part of individual’s success in the candle industry is their ability to get creative, try something new, and promote their unique creations in the marketplace. While improving on an old standard is always a smart way to grow your business, there is also much room for success in innovation.     

The way you do this and still make a profit yourself, is that the resellers agree to purchase large quantities of candles in exchange for the reduced price. So while you may be selling your candles at half a typical retail price, you are also selling far more candles than you usually would if you were selling them one at a time.
 
When considering wholesaling there are a few extremely important things that you must keep in mind.

In order to sell profitably at wholesale, your pricing is crucial. You need to determine a reasonable retail price for your candles, and be able to cut that price at least in half to sell them at wholesale.

Most resellers want to be able to charge at least a 100% mark-up (double the wholesale price) to even consider buying from you at wholesale. This means that if they buy it from you for $5.00, they need to be able to sell it to their own customers for at least $10.00. This 100% mark-up by retailers is commonly referred to as a ‘keystone’ mark-up. 

So, if you are going to sell your candles at $5.00 each wholesale, then you need to make sure you are still making a profit on the candle at $5.00.  Ideally, your total costs, including sufficient pay for your time, should be no more than 50% of the wholesale price, with 30-40% recommended.

The most common mistake novice candle makers make is not truly knowing their costs, and setting their retail price too low. This makes it almost impossible to sell at wholesale in the future because they are not charging enough for their time. Don’t sell yourself short. Do your research and see what other candle makers are selling comparable candles for. Then back out your costs and time to make sure that you can afford to set a fair and profitable wholesale price.

There are many ways to go about finding wholesale clients to sell to. You can make personal sales calls to local stores and shops, you can consider hiring sales representatives to do this for you or you can sign a representation agreement with one of the many wholesale showrooms around the country. 

There are also numerous ‘gift shows’ held around the country several times a year where buyers visit for the sole purpose of purchasing wholesale merchandise to resell. These shows can yield great results, but are extremely expensive, and you will need a lot of orders to offset your costs. For this reason, wholesale trade shows are often best left to experienced candle makers that have a substantial promotional budget and the production capacity to fulfill an onslaught of orders.

There are also a number of online wholesale directories available for consideration. Typically, you pay a fee to advertise in their directory, but you receive great exposure to resellers looking to purchase products. Again, if you choose to participate in these directories, make sure that you have the production capacity to meet demand. The last thing you want is to have orders from customers, and not enough finished product to fill the orders, or the ability to produce it quickly.
    
There are many ways to create a successful candle business, and wholesaling is only one of the many ways it may be possible. Explore your options and decide what the best fit is for you and your ultimate goals.

While many people start making candles as a hobby, the huge interest in candles makes it possible to earn a nice part-time or full-time income by selling your candles to others. You can sell wholesale, on consignment or set up fundraising programs. The most common approach is to retail your candles. Here we’ll introduce you to retailing so that you can determine if this method is a good fit for you. 
 
One of the most common ways most candle makers get started in retailing is to sell their candles at craft shows. One of the benefits of craft shows is that local people like to buy from local crafters. So, if you can find enough craft shows in your area to keep you busy, then this may well be an avenue that is successful for you.

Another benefit to craft shows is that people appreciate the amount of time and effort that goes into hand crafted items. At craft shows, you are presented with an opportunity to sell yourself and explain how your candles are hand poured. This really sets you apart from those who simply resell candles that are made by larger companies, giving you a distinct advantage at these events.
 
Craft shows also present you with the added benefit of gaining exposure and building opportunities for word-of-mouth referrals. You can’t be at a craft show every day, so the rapport you build with your customers will generate income from re-orders and referrals to their friends and family. It is imperative that you have business cards available, as well as ordering and delivery procedures in place for the future orders you will hopefully receive.
 
Some of the drawbacks of craft shows are that they are not always readily available, and when they are, they tend to not be equally distributed throughout the year. While you may find an abundance of shows at the holidays, it will be harder to find venues to sell your candles in March and July.  There may be other options, though, such as Farmer’s Markets, festivals that sell space to vendors and other similar situations.

A reality of craft shows is that they are a lot of work. They are usually day long events that require the set up and tear down of a booth each time, and require a succession of hours spent on your feet. You’re bound to get tired!
 
Instead of, or in addition to, selling at craft shows, many candle makers have taken steps to put up a website. Whether this is a fully functioning website capable of accepting orders or simply an online ‘catalog’ where current and potential customers can go to see what they want to order and give you a call, a website is an excellent way to grow a candle business.
 
Another retailing option is selling your candles at home parties. Try booking some parties with your friends and family. Chances are there will be someone there that would also like to book a party. This can be a great way to grow your business.

While some candle makers have aspirations of opening their own candle store featuring their hand-crafted products for sale, this is a goal that requires a serious amount of time and money, and is most often left for extremely experienced and well-established candle makers only.

There are many ways to create a successful candle business, and retailing your candles is only one of the many ways it may be possible. Explore your options and decide which option is the best fit for you and your ultimate goals.

The percentage of the discount can vary, but is usually somewhere between 20-50% below the pre-determined retail price. The greater the percentage the organization gets to keep, the more they will get excited and promote your product, so be as generous as possible when establishing the profit-sharing arrangement.
 
Typically, no money exchanges hands between you and the organization until they have collected all of the candle orders. This way, the organization does not need to come up with money out of pocket to give to you. They simply take orders, collect money for the products ordered, and turn one combined order in to you. You then collect your negotiated price for each candle, and they keep the difference. Fundraising is a win-win situation for both parties, and is a great way to get your product out into circulation.
 
The types of organizations looking to conduct a fundraiser are seemingly limitless. Churches, schools, sports groups, charitable organizations, awareness programs and more are all excellent candidates. All you need to do is seek them out and be willing to work with them.

Not only do you have the opportunity to make good profit yourself, but you are helping an organization in need as well. And while there are many fundraising programs out there for them to choose from, many organizations are tired of the traditional candy and cookie dough sales, and are looking to do something more unique. Candles are an attractive option.
 
While it is true that fundraising can be a huge help in growing your business, it is not without work on your end. You need to be sure that you have the production capacity to fill the organization’s order in a timely manner (3-4 weeks at most). 

You also need to be sure that you can offer them a simple process with easy-to-follow instructions, and fundraising materials to help them collect orders. Be prepared to provide the organizations with samples of your candles as they will want to be able to test your product before agreeing to sell it. Assuming that you make a quality product, this is usually a great thing because the more they love your candles, the more excited they will be to sell them.          
 
There are many ways to create a successful candle business, and fundraising is only one of the many ways it may be possible. Explore your options and decide what the best fit is for you and your ultimate goals.

Here we present an overview of consignment, showing you some of the benefits of consigning your candles and providing you with information to make a decision about whether or not this method may work for you.
 
The basic concept of consignment is placing your candles for sale in an already established business where the business owner agrees to sell your candles for you in return for a percentage of the selling price. Some business owners will charge you a fee for shelf or booth space as well. 
 
An example of a consignment situation would be a Store Owner charging the Candle Maker $50.00 a month for a certain amount of consignment space in the Store Owner’s store. In addition, for each candle that is sold in the store that month, the Store Owner keeps 15% of the retail price as a consignment fee and pays the remaining money to the Candle Maker.

If the store is selling a large number of candles, this arrangement can be lucrative. If not, you can end up owing the Store Owner more money each month than money you have earned.

Another situation may have the Store Owner charging the Candle Maker a higher percentage of the sale as their consignment fee (likely 25 - 40%), but with no fee charged for consignment space within the store. Each consignment situation is different, so you will need to be fully aware of your obligations, as well as the costs involved.
 
When considering consignment there are several things you must consider. First, how much will the Store Owner take in fees each month? How many candles would have to sell each month in order to break even? How much traffic does the store get? Is it likely that the store has enough patrons that would be interested in hand poured candles? What other products does the store offer? All of these questions are important to consider prior to making a commitment.
 
One option that offers a great possibility is to sell your candles through ‘craft malls’. A craft mall is a retail store that sells the vast majority of its merchandise using a consignment situation. Craft malls are mainly comprised of many small, independent sellers all looking to sell their wares.

Many craft malls are willing to limit the number of crafters selling a particular type of item. For example, one craft mall may allow only one or two candle makers to rent space. Again, you have to do your homework to see if a craft mall situation makes sense for you. Keep in mind that most craft malls will require you to sign a contract for renting space for a specified period of time, so be sure to research thoroughly before making a commitment.

If there are no craft malls available in your area and you are still interested in consignment, consider asking a complementary local business if they would be willing to consign your candles. Home decor and furnishing stores and gift shops are excellent possibilities. You might be surprised who will be willing to work with you, and you may be able to negotiate a great deal.      

There are many ways to create a successful candle business, and consignment is only one of the many ways it may be possible. Explore your options and decide what the best fit is for you and your ultimate goals.

Keep in mind that no matter what type of dye product you use, each product offers its own unique benefits and it’s up to you to determine what type appeals most to your own preferences and needs. Remember that all dyes can be blended to create your own unique color combinations. If you are not familiar with how to blend colors to achieve color variations, you can purchase color charts that will help familiarize you with color blending.
 
Liquid candle dyes are the most common type of dye used. They are highly concentrated and offer the benefit of being able to adjust the tint one drop at a time. This makes for a controlled process that can be easily duplicated. 
 
Dye flakes are another option. Also highly concentrated, it is best to use a digital gram scale for precise measuring, as the size of the flakes will vary. Dye flakes produce a rich color that is resistant to fading and bleeding. 

Pigment chips are another option. Chips are also less prone to fading and bleeding. However, pigments do not actually dissolve in the wax and any color particles not suspended in the wax should not be poured. This can make them a bit tricky to work with for beginners.

Powdered candle dyes are yet another dye option. Powdered dye is the purest form of dye as this is what the other dyes are made from. If you choose to use a powdered dye, keep in mind that they are extremely concentrated, and a little bit goes a very long way. 

Because of the highly concentrated nature of candle dyes, they will dye anything they come into contact with. It’s a good idea to keep a liquid dye remover handy in case you have an accident.

There is no ‘best’ dye. Rather, it’s a matter of personal preference. Get input from other candle makers to narrow down your options. Then just experiment to find the best option for you.

The number one reason people purchase candles is for the fragrance, and for this reason, fragrance is vitally important.
 
When adding scent to your candles, you have two fragrance options available - natural or synthetic fragrance. Each of these fragrance options offers their own benefits. It is up to you to determine your ultimate goals, as well as who your target market is, when determining a fragrance option to choose.
 
If you choose to produce naturally scented candles, then you will be working with essential oils. Essential oils, unlike fragrance oils, are oils naturally derived from plants and flowers. They are highly concentrated, and usually much stronger than most fragrance oils, so it can be easy to overuse them. 

Essential oils are also more costly than synthetic fragrance oils. Typically, essential oils do not burn quite as well as synthetic fragrance oils, and are harder to blend with wax. While they can offer a very good scent throw, they tend to lose their scent faster than their synthetic counterparts making for a shorter shelf life.

Because of their all-natural qualities, many natural wax candle makers find that essential oils are an excellent choice because their customers appreciate an all-natural product. 
 
Fragrance oils are the other option. Fragrance oils are man-made, being synthetically produced by various perfumeries. For the best quality of fragrance oils, it is strongly encouraged that you purchase your fragrance oils from a specialty retailer that specializes in candle making. These candle supply retailers usually seek high quality oils and the oils they carry are made specifically for candle making.

Many candle supply retailers have their scents custom-blended. For this reason, a scent with the same name may smell very different when you buy it from various suppliers. Many of these candle supply retailers offer customer feedback and comments related to specific scents they sell. This information can help you determine what fragrances others are having success with and you may pick up tips on how they are successfully using the scent in their own products.

There are literally thousands of fragrance oil scents available for purchase, so using this type of information can help you narrow your options. When deciding on those you’d like to try, many candle supply retailers will offer sample size containers of each scent so that you can try them economically prior to purchasing a larger size.
 
When working with scents, consult the websites of the suppliers that sell your fragrance oils and wax. Their websites usually offer a wealth of information. When you look up your wax instructions, there is usually information about the amount of fragrance to add for the best scent throw, and when during the candle making process it is best to add the fragrance for best results.
 
A typical rule of thumb for adding fragrance to candles is one ounce of fragrance for each pound of wax. However, this is not a steadfast rule. Some candle makers choose to measure fragrance in teaspoons or percentages instead of ounces. And, some waxes will hold more fragrance than others. Each wax and fragrance is different, so plan on doing a lot of testing and trying a lot of fragrance and wax combinations before getting your best results. 

Also, remember to test for both cold and hot scent throw in your candles. There can be a big difference in how a candle smells sitting on the shelf compared to how it smells when it is burned. It is important that your candle smells great at first whiff when the jar is opened so that customers can experience the scent. It is even more important that the candle has great fragrance as it burns as that is what brings your customers back for more.