Make your own moulded candle at home, the easy way

Make your own moulded candle: the complete guide

To create a quality moulded candle, first and foremost you need the right equipment. Moulded candles give you plenty of creative freedom thanks to the wide variety of mould shapes. The principle is simple: you pour liquid wax into a mould, then unmould it once it has hardened.

Now that you've learnt how to make a scented candle the easy way, let's move on to the steps for making a moulded candle.

Watch our unmoulding video

Which wax should you choose for a moulded candle?

Choosing the right wax is key to getting the best possible result. Here are the most suitable options:

Mineral waxes (paraffin and blends)

Paraffin wax, whether pure or blended with stearin, offers excellent quality. Paraffin gives a translucent effect, while blends make your candles opaque.

Advantages:

• Bright, even colour.
• Excellent scent throw.

Disadvantages:

• Shorter burn time than vegetable waxes.
• Petroleum-derived wax.
  
  

Vegetable waxes (soy, rapeseed, olive, coconut)

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

• Soy wax for moulding: a lovely finish, but brittle in small candles.
• Rapeseed wax for moulding: slightly oily, ideal for small creations such as tapers.
• Olive or coconut wax: excellent for glossy candles or scented pebbles.

Advantages:

• Longer burn time.
• Short setting time.

Disadvantages:

• Less suited to intense colours.
  
  

Animal waxes (beeswax)

Beeswax captures every detail flawlessly. It can be blended with other waxes such as C3 for greater versatility.

Advantages:

• Easy to work with.
• Compatible with dyes.

Disadvantages:

• High price.
• Not suitable for every type of mould.

Which moulds should you use?

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

• Silicone moulds: ideal for fine detail. Compatible with waxes designed for moulded candles (olive, rapeseed, soy, coconut, stearin, paraffin, beeswax). However, avoid waxes formulated exclusively for container candles, as they generally won't release cleanly from the mould.
• Polycarbonate moulds: heat-resistant and perfect for coloured candles.
• Plastic moulds: budget-friendly, but limited to temperatures below 60°C.
• Aluminium moulds: sturdy, perfect for waxes that need a high temperature.
• Latex moulds: great for original shapes, but not recommended with stearin.
• Glass moulds: glass lets you pour in a single step and helps you achieve a smooth, glossy surface, provided you keep the wax temperature under control. Glass moulds are not compatible with beeswax.
  

How to colour your candles

To tint your candles, go for dye chips. Paraffin gives the best result for intense colours. Vegetable and animal waxes are better suited to pastel or soft shades.

Can you scent a moulded candle?

Yes, but with limitations. Only the wax at the surface will release fragrance when the candle is unlit. The scent throw remains limited compared with a container candle.

Choosing the right wick

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

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

Check the product pages to choose a suitable wick, and adjust the size if you add dye or fragrance.

Good to know: if you are using a silicone mould, it is perfectly normal for it not to be pre-pierced. You will need to make a small hole in the centre of the base with a needle to thread the wick through. The moulds are deliberately designed this way, so that you can choose the wick diameter best suited to your creation. Because silicone is flexible, it naturally closes around the wick and forms a tight seal when you pour the wax.

What you'll need

1. A suitable wax (soy, rapeseed, olive, etc.).
2. A flat or round wick.
3. Dye chips.
4. Sealing putty.
5. A mould of your choice.
6. A stirring stick.

How to make a moulded candle, step by step

Refer to the product page of your chosen wax for its specific instructions for use.

• Start by melting your wax in a double boiler or a suitable wax melter.
• Prepare your silicone mould by carefully piercing a small hole in the centre of its base with a needle. Silicone moulds are deliberately left unpierced so that you can choose the most suitable wick for your creation. Then thread the wick up through the mould from the bottom, by hand or with wick pliers. Leave a length of wick sticking out equal to the diameter of the mould, then cut.
• Keep the wick taut and perfectly centred with a wick centring tool or a clip placed on top of the mould.
  
• Once the wax has melted, you can add dye chips to achieve the effect you want.
• You can add a few drops of fragrance, but moulded candles are less suited to being scented.
• Stir well.
• Carefully pour the mixture into the mould.
• Leave the wax to cool.
• If a sinkhole forms, top up just that area with a little of your leftover mixture and leave the wax to set again.
• Once the candle has set, cut off the knot and release the candle from the mould by pulling on the wick at the top.

Conclusion

Making moulded candles is a fun, accessible craft. With the right tools and a little practice, you'll create unique, elegant candles. Now that you know how to make moulded candles, find out how to make whipped wax. If you have any questions, get in touch or join one of our workshops to take your skills further.

Perfect whipped wax for candles: a detailed recipe

Making your first handcrafted scented candles