When it comes to candle making the most exciting moment is preparing and pouring the wax while seeing your creation come to life.
By this point you’ve decided your target market, and know what containers and wicks you want to use. If not, check our part one and part two of this guide.
Now is time to figure out what wax you’ll be using that both matches the needs of your target audience, and the style of your containers. Here is also when you’ll be able to experiment with colour and fragrance to truly determine your style.
The Right Wax for The Job
Not all waxes are made the same, and with hundreds of different options and combinations, ultimately it's up to you to decide what wax you like working with.
Our main recommendation firstly is to buy off local trusted providers who can guarantee the quality of their products. When buying off larger retailers such as Amazon, it can be hard to trust each batch will be the same, and finding credentials across vegan labels can be difficult to confirm.
Local providers can also provide support during the first stages of business, and are there to answer any questions you may have around measurement and process.
With that in mind, picking your wax starts from knowing the different kinds. The main ones being Paraffin wax, Soy wax, Palm wax, Beeswax, Gel wax, Rapeseed wax and Coconut wax.
Paraffin wax is the most common candle wax out there. And it's for a good reason. Paraffin wax offers lots of advantages, making it a pretty reliable candle wax. Also on the list of popular wax is soy, which is an all natural wax option that is both easy to use and experiment with.
Coconut wax has a high scent throw and low melting point, to read its wide range of benefits click here.
Your choice will depend on several factors, including the form of candles you would like to make, the kind of wax you would prefer to use (for example, is using an all-natural wax important to you), the amount of scent throw you’d like the candle to have and even the type of finish you would like to see on your candles.
Taking the time to consider all of these factors will help you decide which wax is right for your budding business. So, what waxes are best for your style? The main ones are pretty easy to work with and they include;
Pillar Candles
Pillars are candles that stand on their own, without any type of container. The best waxes to create pillar candles are paraffin, beeswax and palm wax. However, you can also use wax blends to make pillar candles.
Container Candles
Container candles are candles that you create to sit inside of a glass jar (with or without a lid), metal tin or other type of container. Because these candles do not have to stand on their own, you can use a variety of waxes to make container candles, including soy wax, soy/paraffin blends, paraffin, palm wax, and beeswax.
Tarts/Melts
Did you know that you can make candles without a wick? When melted in a potpourri or tart burner, wax tarts, also known as wax melts, offer another way to enjoy the aroma of candles. You can use both paraffin and natural waxes such as soy wax to make tarts.
Gel Candles
Gel candles are soft, gelatin-like candles that you create inside a container. They’re made from a mineral-oil based gel instead of wax.
These options are perfect for start-up candle businesses, and are easy enough to alter to fit fragrance loads and colouring if necessary. Overall the choice is down to you, each wax comes with its own unique style and benefits that only you can decide will suit your business style.
Lastly, before experimenting with wax at all you’ll need the right equipment. This includes pouring jugs, thermometers and wick holders. It's important to make sure you’re purchasing the right equipment before starting your candle making journey, unreliable equipment can damage your wax and your progress.
You can buy these items online, or check out our beginners candle making equipment set here which has everything you need to get started.
Ultimately when it comes to the wax you use for your candles it will be a personal preference guided by your market knowledge and container choice. From there you can begin to experiment and create your own products that are a true reflection of you and your business.