BatchLab guides for candle makers
Plain answers to the questions candle makers ask, written by a working maker.
70 guides and 25 wax guides in 10 topics
Making candles
Step-by-step candle making: wax, containers, melting, pouring and recipe cards.
- Candle Making Supplies for Beginners
- How Much Wax Do I Need to Fill a Candle Jar?
- What a Candle Recipe Card Should Include
- How to Make a Container Candle, Step by Step
- How to Melt Candle Wax Safely at Home
- How to Scale a Candle Recipe Up to a Batch of 24
- Soy vs Coconut vs Paraffin Wax for Candles
- Weigh or Measure Candle Ingredients? Use a Scale
- What Temperature to Pour Soy Wax
- Which Jars and Containers Are Safe for Candles?
Wax guides
Wick sizes, temperatures and fragrance load for each wax, checked against what makers found.
- EcoSoya CB-Advanced Soy Wax
- Golden Brands 444 Soy Wax
- Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax
- NatureWax C-3
- Soy 10 (Accu-Blend Soy #10)
- Soy Bliss #7 (Calsoy CB2, Calwax)
- Titan Wax Natural 5230 (100% Soy)
- Coconut Soy EC-26 (Calwax)
- Golden Brands 454 Coconut Soy Wax
- Makesy Virgin Coconut Soy
- NS-55 Wax (Coco-Soy Blend)
- Titan Wax Natural 5373 (Coco Soy Apricot)
- Titan Wax Natural 5465 (Coconut Soy)
- CandleScience Coconut Apricot Wax
- Coco Apricot (Ceda Serica)
- Makesy Coco Apricot Creme
- Calmaison #9 Coconut Luxury Wax (Calwax)
- Coconut 83 Wax (Natural Coconut Wax)
- Coconut 84X Beeswax Blend (Accu-Pure 84X)
- Hybrid Coconut Container Blend #21 (Accu-Blend)
- IGI 4630
- IGI 6006
- Titan Wax 52114 Hybrid Coco Soy (Para Natural 52114)
- Titan Wax ParaNatural 51104
- Titan Wax ParaSoy 5474
Fragrance
Fragrance load, flash points, blending oils and why a candle smells weak.
- Cold Throw vs Hot Throw in Candles
- Does a Fragrance Oil's Flash Point Matter?
- Is Fragrance Load a Percent of the Wax or the Total?
- How Much Fragrance Oil Per Pound of Wax?
- How to Blend Fragrance Oils for Candles
- Maximum Fragrance Load for Soy Wax
- What Is Fragrance Load in Candle Making?
- What Is IFRA, and Does It Apply to Candles?
- When to Add Fragrance Oil to Wax
- Why Does My Candle Smell Weak When It Burns?
Wicks
Choosing wick size and type, and spotting a wick that is too big or too small.
Burn testing
How to burn test a candle, what to record, cure times and jar temperature.
- Is There a Free Candle Burn Test Sheet?
- How Hot Should a Candle Jar Get?
- How Long Should a Candle Burn Test Be?
- How Long to Cure a Candle Before Burning
- How Many Test Candles Should I Pour?
- How to Burn Test a Candle Properly
- How to Test Candle Scent Throw Fairly
- What Is a Full Melt Pool, and How Deep Should It Be?
- What to Record in a Candle Burn Test Log
Troubleshooting
Fixes for tunneling, frosting, wet spots, sinkholes, soot and cracked jars.
- Why Did My Candle Jar Crack While Burning?
- Why Is Oil Pooling on Top of My Candle?
- Frosting and Wet Spots in Candles: Causes and Fixes
- How Do I Fix Rough or Bumpy Candle Tops?
- Why Does My Candle Have Sinkholes or Cracks After It Sets?
- Why Does My Wick Keep Drowning or Going Out?
- Why Is My Candle Flame Too Big or Flickering?
- Why Is My Candle Making Black Smoke or Soot?
- Why Is My Candle Tunneling and Can I Fix It?
- Why Does My Wick Mushroom, and Is It a Problem?
Costs and pricing
Work out cost per candle, retail and wholesale prices, and profit margin.
- How Much Does It Cost to Start a Candle Business?
- How Do Etsy Fees Change What I Should Charge for Candles?
- What Is a Good Profit Margin for a Candle Business?
- How to Calculate the Cost Per Candle
- How to Price Candles for Wholesale
- How to Price Handmade Candles
- Should I Include My Time in My Candle Prices?
- My Supplier Raised Prices: How Do I See What Each Candle Costs Now?
Selling candles
What goes on a wholesale line sheet, selling to local shops and getting ready for craft fairs.
Labels and safety rules
Warning labels, ASTM standards and what a candle label has to say.
- ASTM F2058 Explained for Candle Makers
- ASTM F2417: Candle Fire Safety Testing Explained
- Candle Safety Tips to Give Your Customers
- Candle Warning Label Requirements in the US
- Do You Need CLP Labels to Sell Candles in the UK or EU?
- How to State Net Weight on a Candle Label
- Can You Call a Candle Non-Toxic, Clean or Natural?
- What Goes on a Candle Label Besides the Warning?
Running the business
Tracking inventory, batch records, comparing software, and when a spreadsheet is enough.