Candle Making Basics: Different Types of Candles

Candle making is not as easy as one might think, but it is not an overly complicated process either. There are many things to consider when making your own candles. There are many different types of candles, so supplier YUXIN will describe each type below.

Wax materials

Paraffin wax - the most common wax, usually used to make tapers, votives, containers, tea lights, melts and pillars
Bees wax - an all natural wax used for votives, containers and pillars
Soy wax - an all-natural wax made from soybeans. Best used in containers, but can also be used in melts
Carnauba wax - an all-natural wax commonly used in textured columns, dedications, and melts
Gel - Not a wax, but a mineral oil mixed with a polymer. Usually used in dry, clear containers that allow the artisan to insert the item into the candle to create a true work of art
Blending - Artisans mix waxes in different proportions to accentuate the strength of each wax.

Wholesale Tealight Candle for Home Decoration Party

Wicks

Pre-made wicks - wicks with a small metal base to hold in the container candle
Wound wicks - wicks without tabs for pillars and tapers
Cotton wicks - woven or ring spun. Cotton wicks may have paper woven into them or have a paper core and/or be coated with wax to maintain rigidity
Zinc wicks - cotton wicks with a zinc core that burns at lower temperatures
Wood wicks - crackle when burned
Wicks are available in a variety of lengths and diameters for all candle and wax types

Shapes

Vessel/filled candles - candles in a container usually made of metal or glass
Stick/taper - long candles usually 6 inches long and placed in a candle holder
Votives - small candles usually 2-2 1/2 inches tall and usually placed in a glass container
Pillars - Individual thick candles. Usually 2 inches in diameter or larger
Floaters - small, usually tampered with or rounded at the bottom to help them float in water
Tea Lights - small candles usually less than 1 inch high and 1 3/4 inches in diameter
Pies/Melts - small candles without wicks placed in a pie burner
Molded - poured into molds of various shapes and sizes - often called novelty candles
Gel - a mineral oil based gel
Choosing the right candle wax and wick
Your next decision in the candle making process is to choose the type of wax to use. Each type of candle wax has its advantages and disadvantages. As an example - if you want to make a pillar candle, you will need a strong wax, but if you are making a container candle, you can use a softer wax. Once you have decided on a wax, you must next select and test various wicks to see if they burn correctly. Below we have listed some of the common waxes and their uses as well as the different types of wicks.

Pressed Paraffin Wax Votive Transparent Jar White Color

Fragrance oil

The next step in candle making is the addition of fragrance. Fragrance oils can be synthetic, containing 100% essential oils, or a mixture of each. Essential oils do not have a strong aroma when burned in a candle and they do not come in many varieties compared to synthetic oils. Each has its advantages, but most candle manufacturers use synthetic fragrances. High quality fragrances usually meet the standards of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). The oils used in candles are often used in soaps and lotions.

Finding the right balance between fragrance oils and waxes takes a lot of practice. Patience and testing your scent load, wick type and size are essential to making great candles. Now contact us and get more details and the quotes, we'll reply to you soon.