Creating candles in your home provides both simplicity and enjoyment for the process. Making handcrafted candles at home provides the potential to build a business that you can sell through online platforms. Also, homemade candles attract many consumers due to their distinctive quality and individual character. The candle industry worldwide demonstrates stable growth patterns. So, a strong future awaits small businesses because the global candle market will generate more than $10 billion by 2028.
Learning how to make candles alongside selecting optimal online selling methods represents two necessary aspects for starting a successful candle business.
Let’s dive deep into the first step – making a candle at home!
How to Make a Candle at Home
Home candle production happens without needing costly equipment. Starting this process requires simple equipment, some time and care. Your choice of candle production will depend on who your intended customers are. Candle customers are split between seeking fragranced and decorative waxes for their needs.
Gather Your Supplies
You can find these items in craft stores or order them online. If you want to make eco-friendly candles, choose soy or beeswax instead of paraffin wax.
To make candles, you need:
- Wax (paraffin, soy, beeswax, or palm wax)
- Wicks (cotton, wood, or hemp)
- Fragrance oil or essential oils
- Dye (optional for colored candles)
- Containers (glass jars, tins, or molds)
- A melting pot or double boiler
- A thermometer to monitor wax temperature
Melt the Wax
A double boiler provides the best method to melt the wax properly. Users lacking double boilers should place a heat-resistant bowl above a simmering pot of water. Gradually stir the wax while it melts fully. The temperature required for wax melting varies according to the selected type of wax material. Soy wax requires temperature regulation between 120-180°F but beeswax needs heating to 145-175°F.
Add Fragrance and Color
When melting the wax, you can incorporate fragrance oil and coloring dye to achieve the desired appearance. Use a maintained pace while stirring because the mixture needs to blend properly. You need to exercise caution by avoiding excessive use of fragrance oil because it will influence your candle’s burning properties. Consistent practice suggests using one ounce of fragrance oil for each pound of wax used in the production.
Prepare the Wick
Set the wick properly in the middle of the chosen container. Maintain the straightness of the wick by using a wick holder or sticking it onto a stick. A horizontal placement helps the candle burn without irregularities. The candle-burning process depends on the wick size; thus, select a wick that matches your chosen container dimension.
Pour the Wax
Slowly pour the melted wax into the container. Leave a little space at the top. Let it cool and harden. This may take a few hours. If you notice cracks forming, reheat some wax and pour a thin layer on top to smooth it out.
Once the candle is set, trim the wick to about half an inch. If the wick is too long, it can create excess smoke or an uneven burn. Your candle is now ready for use or sale, but first, pack it in high-quality custom printed candle boxes.
How to Sell Candles Online
After making candles, the next step is selling them. Many online platforms can help you reach customers. Selling handmade candles can be a profitable business if you market them well and provide high-quality products.
Take Good Photos
Customers determine their purchasing decisions using appearance as the main factor. Capture your candles with vivid lighting in order to obtain high-quality photographs. Placing your candles on a basic background will make their design elements stand out more to viewers. Sunlight provides the optimal illumination for photography because shooting from different positions shows customers the complete candle design.
Set a Price
Check other handmade candle sellers to see their prices. Price your candles fairly to attract buyers while making a profit. Consider the cost of materials, labor, and shipping when setting a price. A standard pricing formula is:
(Material Cost + Labor Cost + Overhead) × 2 to 3 = Selling Price
For example, if your total cost per candle is $5, you can sell it for $10 to $15.
Choose a Selling Platform
You can sell candles on various platforms, including:
- Etsy: Popular for handmade products.
- Amazon Handmade: A great option for small businesses.
- Shopify: Allows you to create your own online store.
- Social Media: Instagram and Facebook help showcase your products.
- Local Marketplaces: Consider selling on local online stores.
Promote Your Candles
Your product promotion strategy includes both social media marketing and online advertising for your candle business. Ask customers to leave reviews. Positive customer reviews to aid in developing customer trust that subsequently leads to more customer acquisitions. Sales potency increases when businesses use Instagram stories.
Pack and Ship Orders
When it comes to shipping, make sure to use only premium packaging. Secure packaging with custom packaging inserts must be used to defend candles from damage during delivery. Businesses need to place their products in environmentally friendly boxes since these attract buyers who care about the environment.
Is Selling Candles Profitable?
Profitable business opportunities exist in the candle market. The candle market is growing. Making a candle requires minimal expenses, yet customers can purchase the candle at rates twice or three times as expensive. Small businesses, along with independent sellers, successfully gain income through both online and local market sales of candles.
Can You Make Money Making Candles and Selling Them?
Yes, you can make money by making and selling candles. Many people turn candle-making into a full-time or side business. Success depends on product quality, branding, and marketing.
Do You Need Insurance to Sell Candles?
Sellers should obtain insurance before starting their candle business operations. With product liability insurance, you remain protected against any issues that your customers encounter, such as candle-caused fires.
What Stores Sell Candles?
Several outlets, such as big retailers, specialty shops and online marketplaces, offer candles for purchase. Mass-produced candles can be found at Walmart. Also, handmade candles find success through distribution on Etsy and with Amazon Handmade.
Conclusion
Starting a small business through candle manufacturing and selling from home presents a beneficial opportunity. Handmade candle production remains straightforward as the market demand keeps expanding. Creating high-quality candles and finding appropriate online channels enables you to develop a prosperous business as a candle maker. Launching your business now will help you convert your love for candles into monetary success.
