Candle making is a deeply creative and therapeutic hobby enjoyed by millions of makers around the world, from seasoned pros to complete beginners. Not only does it provide a rewarding, hands-on project to dedicate yourself to, but crafting your own custom candles also brings incredible value to your living space.

Whether you want to express your inner artist, pour unique gifts for friends and family, or expand your e-commerce business with a highly profitable new product line, candle making is a craft that brings immense joy. From relaxation-inducing aromatherapy blends to vibrant, decorative accents for your home decor, the creative possibilities are endless. Let’s dive into everything you need to get started!

Materials & Tools You’ll Need:

• NatureWax C3 Wax: A high-quality container wax or a blend (such as soy, paraffin, or a parasoy blend).

• Fragrance Oils: Premium, candle-safe scent oils.

• Wedo ECO 8 Wicks: Pre-tabbed cotton or wooden wicks.

• Candle Dyes: Liquid dye drops or concentrated dye blocks.

• 6.5 oz Candle Jars: Standard glass vessels (like a classic 6-ounce or 8-ounce jar).

• Wick Stickers: To secure your wicks firmly to the bottom of the vessel.

• Wick Bar: To hold the wicks perfectly straight while the wax cures.

• Additional Equipment: A digital scale, a reliable thermometer, a heat-resistant pouring pitcher, a spatula/stirrer, and a double boiler setup or wax melter.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep and Measure

Before you begin, set up a clean, flat workspace. Cover your area with parchment paper or newspaper to catch any accidental drips, as dealing with molten wax can get messy. Ensure your glass jars are completely clean and dry.

Next, weigh out your wax using a digital scale. For our standard 6.5 oz jar, you will need approximately 5.8 ounces of container wax.

???? Smart Spacing Tip: If you aren’t sure how much wax your custom jar holds, simply fill it with water and pour it into a measuring cup to find the volume in fluid ounces. Take 20% off this amount to find the approximate weight of dry soy or paraffin wax chips you will need to melt.

2. Melt the Wax

Add your measured wax to your melting pot or a pouring pitcher placed inside a water-filled saucepan (a double boiler setup). Heat the wax gently over medium-low heat to 158°F, stirring slowly. Do not allow your wax to exceed 176°F to protect the quality of the blend. It typically takes about 10 to 15 minutes to melt completely.

3. Prepare Your Vessels

While the wax is melting, prepare your jars. Secure a wick sticker to the metal tab of your candle wick and press it firmly into the exact center of the bottom of the glass. Place your wick centering tool across the top rim of the jar to keep the wick pulled taut and perfectly upright.

4. Add the Fragrance Oil

Carefully remove your melted wax from the heat source. Allow the wax to cool slightly to 150°F, then slowly pour in your fragrance oil. We recommend a standard 10% fragrance load (for example, roughly 0.58 oz of fragrance oil for every 5.8 oz of wax). Stir gently but continuously for a full two minutes to ensure the fragrance and wax molecules bond thoroughly.

Pro-Tip: Adding your fragrance oil while the wax is too hot will cause the scent to flash off and evaporate, drastically reducing the hot throw of your finished candle.

5. Incorporate the Color

If you want to color your wax, add your dye chips or liquid candle dye right after the fragrance. Add a few drops or a couple of dye chips at a time, stirring gently until the color has completely dissolved and spread evenly. Natural vegetable and soy waxes may require a slightly higher dye load than paraffin to achieve deep, vibrant shades.

6. The Pour

To prevent the wax from shrinking too quickly away from the glass, it helps to pre-warm your candle jars slightly using a heat gun or by letting them sit in a warm room.

Once your ingredients are beautifully mixed and the wax cools down to 140°F, slowly and smoothly pour the liquid into your prepared jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of space from the top rim. Pouring slowly prevents unwanted air bubbles from getting trapped in your candle. Set aside a tiny bit of leftover wax in your pitcher for potential touch-ups later, and let your candles set overnight.

7. Fix Sinkholes & Trim the Wicks

Because wax naturally contracts as it cools, it is completely normal for a small sinkhole to form around the wick in the center. Don’t worry—this is an easy fix! You have two simple options:

• The Heat Gun Method: Gently run a heat gun or hairdryer over the top layer of the candle. The surface will melt slightly, self-leveling into a flawlessly smooth top.

• The Top-Up Method: Reheat your leftover wax to 150°F and carefully pour a thin layer over the sinkholes to create a perfectly flat surface.

Once the candle is completely set and smooth, remove the wick bar and trim your wick down to 1/4 inch. If your business uses warning or branding labels, apply them to the flat bottom of the jar now. Your candle is ready to cure!

FAQ

What types of wax are best for container candles?
Choosing the right wax depends heavily on your branding and performance goals:

• Soy Wax: A completely natural alternative made from US-grown soybeans. It burns cleanly, cleans up easily with soap and water, and is highly sought after by eco-conscious consumers.

• Paraffin Wax: The industry classic. It delivers an unmatched, powerful scent throw and sets up with a gorgeous, glossy finish and bright colors.

• ParaSoy Blends: An incredible, professional-grade hybrid. It combines the clean look, eco-appeal, and ease of use of soy with the superior fragrance throw and vibrant coloring capabilities of paraffin.

How can I make sure my candles burn evenly without tunneling?
Achieving a flawless, even burn comes down to simple science:

Size Your Wick Correctly: If your wick is too small for the diameter of the jar (under-wicked), it will tunnel straight down the middle and leave wax on the sides. Always test your wicks to ensure they achieve a full melt pool that reaches the glass edges within 2 to 3 hours of burning.

Control Your Pouring Temps: Pouring your wax between 140°F and 150°F ensures excellent glass adhesion and minimizes surface imperfections.

Avoid Drafts: Keep your curing candles away from open windows, fans, or AC vents. Moving air disrupts the cooling process, causing uneven tops and off-center wicks.

The First Burn Rule: When lighting your candle for the first time, let it burn until the liquid wax pool reaches all the way to the outer edges of the jar before extinguishing it. Candles have a “memory,” and this sets the stage for a clean, even burn for the rest of its lifespan.

How long do I need to let my candles cure before lighting them?
While paraffin candles can technically be lit after 48 hours, natural vegetable waxes like soy require time for the fragrance and wax structure to fully stabilize. For the absolute best results and maximum hot throw, we highly recommend letting soy and parasoy candles cure for 1 to 2 weeks before lighting.