Ultimate Candle Making Supplies List: Everything You Need To Make Aesthetic Candles At Home
Are you seeking the perfect supplies for candle making? This comprehensive candle making supplies list is here to help you create unique, beautiful scented candles from your own home!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. These are products I’ve personally used, as well as are recommended by other crafters and DIYers.
Making candles is a fun and relaxing activity that anyone can enjoy. I find that creating candles is a fun, creative yet soothing process. It’s fun to combine different colors, scents, and shapes to create aesthetic candles for your home.
Whether you’re looking to make candles as a hobby or to start your own business, you’ll need to gather the proper supplies. We’ve put together a complete list of everything you need to get started making candles. From wax and wicks to molds and fragrance oils, we’ll review all the supplies you need to get started making candles.
So grab a wine glass (everything is better with a glass of wine) and let’s get started!
For Beginners: Candle Making Kits
If you’re a beginning candle maker, the easiest way to buy candle-making supplies is to purchase a candle-making kit.
DIY candle making kits can be a great starting point for novice candle makers as they provide all the basic supplies and equipment necessary to create beautiful candles. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all kits are created equal; some have premium waxes, fragrances, tools, and more items than others. Utilizing higher-quality products will ensure your handmade candles look better and last longer.
If you’re interested in purchasing a candle making kit instead of buying your supplies separately, then check out this post to learn about the best candle making kits.
Candle Making Supplies List
A candle is a blend of wax, fragrance, and dyes held in a container or mold, with a wick to burn itself. So, the basic and essential supplies to make a candle include candle wax, fragrances, wicks, and dyes.
Candle Wax
Selecting the right candle wax is a fundamental step in making your own candles. The type of candle wax will determine what type of candle you can create but also will inform what materials you will use. For example, some are great for container candles while others are ideal for molded designs.
There are different types of candle wax to choose from like soy wax, beeswax, paraffin, coconut, etc. Each type of candle wax offers unique properties that make them suitable for different types of candles. Let’s review the different types of candle wax you can choose from.
Natural Soy Wax
Soy wax is a perfect choice for beginner candle makers who wants to create beautiful container candles. Its lower melting point and lack of scent make it incredibly easy to work with, allowing you to easily customize your soy candles into whatever design you desire.
Soy wax itself is made from completely vegan-friendly sources like soybeans, plus it’s very affordable when compared to other vegetable-based waxes!
Utilizing soy wax, you can let your creativity run wild by combining different types of waxes, colors and scents to create a unique candle- be it for yourself or someone else. With the right mix, you could even make candles to sell.
Read more: Best Soy Wax To Make Beautiful Candles
Beeswax
Since Ancient Egypt, beeswax has been an indispensable resource in many industries. Nowadays, raw beeswax can be found on the market in blocks, bars or pellets. With its high melting point, beeswax candles burn more slowly and last longer than regular ones while simultaneously purifying the air with their natural scent of honeycomb and subtle yellowish hue. Beeswax is ideal for container candles pillars votives – however, due to its innate composition, it is quite difficult to add scents and colors.
Read more: Best Beeswax for DIY candles
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is a commonly used candle wax and can be utilized for almost any type of candle. Despite its reputation as being a by-product of petroleum, paraffin still has some noteworthy benefits; it not only holds strong scents and colors well but is also inexpensive to purchase on the market!
It should be noted though that when burning one will usually see black smoke and soot. Some DIYers even choose to mix in some paraffin with natural candles for an improved scent throw.
Read more: Best Paraffin Wax for DIY candles
Coconut Wax
Coconut wax is the latest must-have vegetable candle material. It’s softer than soy wax and perfect for container candles, making it a favorite among experienced candlemakers. Its slow burn rate and excellent scent throw make this an ideal option when paired with other varieties of candle wax such as coconut-soy combinations.
Read more: Best Coconut Wax for DIY candles
Palm Wax
Candles made with palm wax are absolutely gorgeous due to their feather-like, crystalized shapes. Palm also burns cleaner than paraffin and soy wax.
For those wanting to make an environmental statement without sacrificing aesthetic beauty, palm wax is definitely a great option.
Gel Wax
Penreco is the holder of a patent for Gel Wax, an innovative amalgamation of resin and mineral oil instead of traditional wax. This special candle-making material has all the usual attributes—melting/burning points, scent, and color retention ability—but with one advantage: transparency.
By using gel wax to make candles, you open up the possibilities for creative designs that can be used to celebrate special occasions or just brighten your everyday life. Gel wax is a unique and versatile material that allows candlemakers to create intricate imitations of water and even beer or wine – making novelty candles a great gift idea.
Gel wax is the ideal product for votive or container candles, yet its firmer version can be used to create beautiful pillar candles as well. Yet it can be painstakingly difficult to make these wax creations without bubbles being present.
Read more: How to Choose the Best Wax for Candle Making?
Fragrances
Candle scent is one of the most important factors to consider when customers purchase candles. Igniting a scented candle can fill your space with calming, delightful, and delicious aromas and bring about feelings of relaxation.
When it comes to making your own candles, you have two choices – fragrance oils or essential oils. Although these can both be used for candlemaking, they each offer unique pros and cons that should be considered before deciding which one to use:
Fragrance Oils
For those looking for a wide variety of scent options, from floral to woody and beyond, fragrance oils are a perfect choice. Synthetically produced in a laboratory or derived from natural isolates extracted from plants, these oils provide stability and consistency during burning while being ideal for candle making.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are the gold-standard for extracting fragrances, capturing all of a plant’s natural scents. This makes them attractive to candle makers who want to enjoy their candles’ potential health benefits without compromising on scent strength. While essential oils may require more effort to achieve strong aromas than artificial fragrance oils, they have proven worth it time and again with passionate wax crafters around the world.
When deciding on the perfect aroma for your candles, you will need to consider both the type of oils—essential or fragrance—as well as how much should be used. As a general guideline, one ounce of fragrance oil per pound of wax is recommended; however, if you want optimal results and are looking to launch a line of scented candles, accurately calculating your fragrance oils is essential.
Read more: How Much Fragrance Oils to Add to Candle Wax?
Candle Wicks
Candle wicks are essential for any candle to burn properly. The candle wick is what draws up the fuel (the wax) and carries it over to the flame, ensuring that your candle has a constant source of energy.
Without this key piece, you won’t even have access to light and burn your candles. However, If you decide to use wax melts instead of traditional candles, you’ll need an electric warmer instead of a wick.
Choosing between cotton, wood, and pre-waxed wicks is a personal preference, but you’ll need to select the right size for your candle. Choosing the wrong candle wick size can lead to issues such as inconsistent flickering flames or uneven melting of the wax.
Read more:
- Wick Guide: How to Choose the Right Wick Size with Chart?
- Wood Wick Guide: Best Wood Wicks for Candle Making
Candle Containers
Selecting your candle container is one of the best parts of the process when making your candle. There are so many types of containers, candle jars, and vessels that are made of different materials and colors – you can have fun and get creative with your candle design.
Tip: Candle jars and containers that have a diameter of four inches or fewer. Opting for larger sizes might necessitate the use of multiple wicks which may be difficult for beginner candle makers.
Candle Molds
Candle molds create unique and interesting shapes. Silicone molds are the most popular type of candle mold since it’s super easy to work with. But, you can also use metal or plastic molds.
There are so many cool and funky candle molds to create unique or beautiful candles. From taper candles to modern shapes to various body parts, and more.
It’s important to remember that not all candle waxes can be used for mold candles. For example, soy or coconut wax which has a lower melting point is too soft and will lose its shape when taken out of the molds. The best candle wax to use for molds are paraffin, beeswax or wax blends containing these harder varieties.
Read more: How to Make Candles with Molds
Candle Dye
Making candles can be both an art and a science, which is especially true when creating colored candles. Here are the different types of candle dye you can choose from:
Candle Dye Chips: Dye chips are a hassle-free way to add color to your wax—just toss them in the mixture when you start! You can even blend dyes for more vibrant hues. The downside is that they aren’t as enduring and tend to require multiple dye chips per shade.
Candle Liquid Dye: For lighter, pastel shades in soy and paraffin, use liquid dye. These are also great for creating custom colors.
Candle Dye Blocks: For a bold, intense look in soy wax – especially reds, greens and blues – Dye Blocks are the way to go. Dye blocks are a more potent version of dye chips. One block can color up to 20 pounds of wax in a medium hue with ease, just like its counterpart – you simply mix it into the molten wax.
The only downside is that small batches may not produce similar shades from one batch to another as controlling the exact amount shaved off each time could be difficult.
Candle Making Equipment You’ll Need to Make Candles
With the right ingredients, you can craft your own candles with a little help from some candle making equipment. Candle making tools are designed to transform wax from solid to liquid and back again, evaporating it into the air as they work their magic.
Let’s have a look at what candle making equipment we needed to make candles.
Double Broiler + Melting Pot
Crafting candles require a double boiler – never use direct heat! If you’re just working with small amounts, then heating these materials in the microwave would suffice. But if you plan to make an abundant number of candles, investing in appropriate equipment is essential
If you’ve ever melted wax and are looking for an efficient yet safe way of doing so, a double boiler can be your go-to kitchen tool.
The double broiler system is essentially it is just two pots: one larger pot filled with boiling water that serves as the base, and then another smaller melting pot that fits securely into the bigger one. The boiling water creates a ‘bath’ around the secondary pot – allowing controlled heating without any risk of scorching or overheating.
Three items are needed to create a double boiler system:
- A large pot
- a rack to go in the bottom
- a melting pot
When selecting a melting pot for candle making, opt for one made of either aluminum or stainless steel – both materials can withstand high temperatures.
It is also wise to search for a model that features an ergonomic handle and pouring spout; not only will this help you keep your hands safe from the extreme heat, but it can make transferring wax into molds easier.
Take the size of your melting pot into account. If you plan on making candles in batches, it would be wise to invest in a larger pot; however, if you are looking for an economical and space-friendly option then choose a smaller one.
I prefer using a hot plate melter to make candles because it’s easier and more efficient and can be completed in my craft room vs. having to use my kitchen.
Read more: Best Wax Melting Pot for Candle Making
Thermometer
A thermometer is a must-have tool for candle making. It helps you to monitor the temperature of your candle wax, ensuring that it is not too hot or too cold when pouring into molds. This ensures that your candles will form correctly and come out as expected.
When looking for a thermometer, opt for one made from stainless steel (such as a digital or candy thermometer).
Wick Holder
Keeping a wick properly centered in the container can be quite difficult. However, use wick centering devices to center and stabilize your wick while your candle wax cools.
You can also use clothespins, chopsticks, skewers, or pencils instead of purchasing a wick holder.
Kitchen Scale
Are you wondering why a kitchen scale is required for making candles? The answer lies in the fact that when measuring wax and fragrances, weight must be taken into consideration – not volume.
For example, if 8oz of soy wax is melted to fill an 8 oz container measured by liquid water, chances are you will have excess leftover wax due to its lower density compared with water. In this case, having a kitchen scale on hand will help ensure accurate measurements.
To make the candle-making process straightforward, we calculate wax and scents by weight utilizing a kitchen scale. If you already own a digital scale for baking purposes, it will be perfect for measuring candles too.
Heat Gun
A heat gun is not required to make candles. However, it will make your life a lot easier and more efficient.
Heat guns are an essential tool for candle making. Not only do they save time by melting wax quickly and efficiently, but they ensure that your candles look uniformly gorgeous.
A heat gun can add an extra level of detail and finesse to your candle making projects. You can reduce or blur surface bubbles, adjust wax hardness and layering ability, give a professional shine to pillars and tapers, dry layers faster than with open flames, and more.
Not only do the guns allow you to create professional looking candles, but they can also help you effectively melt down scraps of wax so that you can use them for future projects.
Candle Care Kit
If you’d like to extend the longevity of your candles, then I recommended including a candle care kit on your candle making supplies list.
This set of tools allow you to take good care of your candles so that they last longer, smell better, and burn more efficiently. Most candle care kit comes with the following items:
- Wick trimmer – Make sure to trim your wick down to a quarter of an inch each time you have burned the candle using our professional scissors.
- Wick Dipper – the perfect tool for easily and quickly shifting a wick or removing debris from your wax pool. With its long handle and angled end, you can precisely control where the flame sits to safely enjoy all of your favorite candles.
- Snuffer – It is a special tool to extinguish the candle flame, instead of blowing it out.
Wrap-up
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the supplies you need to get started making candles. With this complete guide, you’ll have all the information you need to get started making beautiful candles for your home.
I think you’ll find it to be a fun and relaxing activity that anyone can enjoy. If you have any questions about getting started, feel free to reach out.
We’re always happy to help fellow candle-makers get started on their journey.
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