Candle Making FAQ: 20 Questions, Honest Answers

Is candle making profitable? Yes, marginally, if priced correctly. A part-time maker selling 200 candles/month at $25 retail nets ~$15K–$19K/year after COGS, fees, and overhead. Scaling above that requires wholesale accounts.

What is the best wax for beginners? Soy 464. Cheap to fail with, widely documented, forgiving pour temp.

Can I use essential oils in candles? Yes, but with caveats: most EOs have low flashpoints and lose throw in heat. Use at no more than 6% load, expect subtle throw, and prefer hardier oils (lavender, rosemary, citrus) over delicate ones (rose, jasmine).

Where do I buy candle making supplies? CandleScience and Lone Star Candle Supply for fragrance; AAK Golden Brands for wax direct; Etsy for small-batch wicks; specialty glass via SKS Bottle.

How much fragrance oil per pound of wax? At 8% load, 1.28 oz per pound. At 10%, 1.6 oz. See the candle fragrance calculator.

How do I pick a wick size? Match vessel diameter and wax type. Start with the candle wick size chart and test-burn.

Why does my candle tunnel? Wick too small, or customer didn't burn long enough on first lighting.

Why does my candle smell weak? Either undercured (wait 14 days), wrong wick size for melt pool, or fragrance-wax incompatibility.

How long should I cure soy candles? 10–14 days minimum for full fragrance binding. Coconut blends, 7–10. Paraffin, 48 hours.

What's the best temperature to add fragrance oil? 82–85°C for soy. Hot enough to bind, not so hot the top notes flash off.

Do I need a fire safety label? Yes. Net weight, manufacturer name and address, and safety warning are required on every candle sold in the US.

How do I price my candles? Retail = COGS × 4. Wholesale = COGS × 2. If those feel high, your packaging cost is too high.

Can I sell candles on Etsy? Yes, easiest starting platform, but 6.5% fees and aggressive price competition.

What's the best fragrance load? 8% for soy, 10% for coconut/paraffin. Beyond that risks sweating without improving throw.

Do scented candles cause indoor air pollution? Properly wicked candles produce negligible particulates. Soot from undersized wicks is the actual culprit.

Beeswax vs soy, which is better? Soy for scented, beeswax for unscented. See beeswax vs soy.

Can I reuse wax from old candles? Yes, but expect duller throw. Melt down, strain, repour. Don't mix wax types.

How many candles can I make in a day? A solo maker pouring efficiently makes 60–120 candles per day in 8 oz size.

What's the difference between cold throw and hot throw? Cold throw is the scent when unlit (judges the candle in the store). Hot throw is when burning (judges it at home). Both matter.

How do I start a candle business? See the first-year playbook. The short version: pick one buyer segment, get COGS below 25% of retail, build an email list from day one.