Easily make your own molded candle

Make your own moulded candle: complete guide

To create a quality moulded candle, it's essential to have the right equipment. Moulded candles offer a great deal of creative freedom thanks to the variety of mould shapes available. The principle is simple: you pour the liquid wax into a mould, then remove it from the mould once it has hardened.

Having discovered how easy it is to design a scented candle, let's move on to the steps involved in creating a moulded candle.

Watch our demoulding video

Which wax should I choose for a moulded candle?

The choice of wax is essential to achieve the best possible result. Here are the most suitable options:

Mineral waxes (paraffin and blends)

Pure paraffin wax or paraffin wax mixed with stearin offers excellent quality. Paraffin gives a transparent effect, while blends make your candles opaque.

Advantages :

• Provides bright, even colouring.
• Excellent fragrance reproduction.

Disadvantages:

• Shorter burning time than vegetable waxes.
• Wax derived from petroleum.
  
  

Vegetable waxes (soya, rapeseed, olive, coconut)

Vegetable waxes give an ivory finish and an excellent burn time. Some are ideal for specific creations:

• Moulded soy wax: beautiful finish, but brittle on small candles.
• Moulded rapeseed wax: slightly greasy, ideal for small creations such as candles.
• Olive or coconut wax: excellent for shiny candles or scented pebbles.

Advantages:

• Longer burning time.
• Short drying time.

Disadvantages:

• Less suitable for strong colouring.
  
  

Animal waxes (beeswax)

Beeswax gives impeccable detail. It can be mixed with other waxes such as C3 for greater versatility.

Advantages :

• Simple to apply.
• Compatible with colourants.

Disadvantages: High price:

• High price.
• Not suitable for all types of mould.

Which moulds should I use?

Here is an overview of the types of moulds available and their characteristics:

• Silicone moulds: ideal for precise details. Compatible with waxes intended for moulded candles (olive, rapeseed, soya, coconut, stearin, paraffin, beeswax). However, avoid waxes formulated exclusively for container candles, as these generally do not allow the candles to be removed from the mould properly.
• Polycarbonate moulds: heat-resistant and ideal for colouring.
• Plastic moulds: economical, but limited to temperatures below 60°C.
• Aluminium moulds: robust, ideal for waxes requiring high temperatures.
• Latex moulds: for original shapes, but not recommended for stearin.
• Glass moulds: glass allows for a single-step casting process and helps to produce a smooth, glossy surface, provided the wax temperature is controlled correctly. They are not compatible with beeswax.

How do you colour your candles?

To tint your candles, opt for granular dyes. Paraffin wax gives the best results for intense colouring. Vegetable or animal waxes are suitable for pastel or light shades.

Is it possible to scent a moulded candle?

Yes, but there are limitations. Only the surface wax will diffuse the fragrance when cold. The olfactory effect remains limited compared with a container candle.

Choice of wicks

Adapt the wick to your wax and the size of the candle:

• Flat wicks: for paraffin and vegetable waxes.
• Round wicks: for beeswax.

Refer to the product sheets to choose a suitable wick, and adjust the size if you add colouring or fragrance.

Good to know : if you use a silicone mould, it is perfectly normal for it not to be pre-pierced. You will then need to make a small hole in the centre of the base with a needle in order to thread the wick through. The moulds are deliberately designed this way to let you choose the wick diameter best suited to your creation. Thanks to the flexibility of the silicone, it naturally tightens around the wick and ensures a good seal when pouring the wax.

Materials required

1. Suitable wax (soy, rapeseed, olive, etc.).
2. Flat or round wick.
3. Granular colourant.
4. Sealing paste.
5. Mould of your choice.
6. Stirring stick.

Recipe and steps for making this moulded candle

Refer to the "product" sheet for the wax you have chosen to find out how to use it.

• Start by melting your wax in a bain-marie or using a suitable wax melter.
• Prepare your silicone mould by gently making a small hole in the centre of its base with a needle. Silicone moulds are deliberately not pre-pierced so as to let you choose the wick best suited to your creation. Then pass the wick from the bottom to the top of the mould using your hand or a wick threader. Leave the wick protruding by a length equivalent to the diameter of the mould, then cut.
• Keep the wick taut and perfectly centred using a wick centring tool or a clip placed on top of the mould.
  
• Once the mixture is liquid, you can add granulated colouring depending on the desired effect.
• You can add a few drops of fragrance, but moulded candles are less suited to being scented.
• Stir everything together.
• Gently pour the mixture into the mould.
• Leave the wax to cool.
• If a crater forms, simply fill it in with a little of your leftover mixture and leave the wax to dry again.
• Once the candle is dry, cut the knot and remove the candle from the mould by pulling on the top wick.

That's it, your moulded candle is finished! Congratulations!

Conclusion

Creating moulded candles is a fun and accessible activity. With the right tools and a bit of practice, you can create unique and elegant candles. Now that you know how to make moulded candles, find out how to make a wax chantilly. If you have any questions, contact us or take part in our workshops to learn more.

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