10 Candle Making Tips for Beginners (2026 Guide)

Want to start making candles but don't know where to begin? You're in the right place! Candle making is a rewarding creative hobby that can turn into a profitable business. Whether you're making candles for yourself, as gifts, or to sell online, these 10 essential tips will help you create beautiful, professional-quality candles from day one.

1. Start with the Right Wax

Choosing the right wax is crucial for candle making success. Here are the most popular options:

Natural Waxes:

• Soy Wax - Natural, eco-friendly, burns cleanly and slowly. Perfect for beginners and container candles. Great scent throw.
• Rapeseed Wax - European-grown, sustainable, smooth finish. Excellent for container candles and has a creamy appearance. Burns slowly and holds fragrance beautifully.
• Coconut Wax - Premium natural wax, clean burn, excellent scent throw. Creates a smooth, luxurious finish. Often blended with other waxes for best results.
• Beeswax - Natural, honey-scented, burns longest. Premium option but more expensive. Beautiful golden color.

Traditional Wax:

• Paraffin Wax - Traditional, affordable, holds fragrance well. Great for pillar candles and vibrant colors.

Wax Blends:

• Soy-Coconut Blends - Combines the best of both: soy's affordability with coconut's luxury finish and scent throw.
• Soy-Paraffin Blends - Balances natural appeal with strong fragrance retention and vibrant colors.
• Coconut-Apricot Blends - Premium blend for luxury candles with exceptional scent throw and smooth appearance.

Beginner tip: Start with soy wax or a soy-coconut blend! They're forgiving, easy to work with, eco-friendly, and customers love their natural appeal. Rapeseed wax is also excellent if you're in Europe and want to support local agriculture!

2. Invest in a Good Thermometer

Temperature control is everything in candle making. A digital thermometer (around €10-15) will help you:

• Melt wax at the correct temperature
• Add fragrance oils at the optimal moment (usually 50-60°C for soy wax, 55-65°C for coconut/rapeseed blends)
• Pour at the right temperature to avoid sinkholes and cracks

Don't guess - measure! This one tool will save you from countless failed batches.

3. Use the Correct Wick Size

The wick is the heart of your candle. Too small and your candle will tunnel (burn down the middle). Too large and it will smoke and burn too fast.

How to choose:

• Check the wick manufacturer's guidelines for your container size and wax type
• Different waxes need different wicks (coconut wax often needs larger wicks than soy)
• Always do a test burn before making a full batch
• Keep notes on what works for each candle type

Pro tip: When in doubt, start with a medium wick and adjust from there. Coconut and rapeseed waxes may need slightly larger wicks than soy.

4. Measure Fragrance Oils Accurately

Fragrance load (the percentage of fragrance oil in your candle) typically ranges from 6-10% for most natural waxes. Too little and your candle won't smell. Too much and it won't burn properly.

Formula: Wax weight × fragrance percentage = fragrance oil needed
Example: 500g wax × 8% = 40g fragrance oil

Note: Coconut wax and some blends can handle up to 10-12% fragrance load, giving you stronger scent throw!

Always use a digital scale for accuracy!

5. Avoid Common Beginner Mistakes

Save yourself time and frustration by avoiding these common pitfalls:

• Pouring too hot - Causes sinkholes and cracks. Pour soy wax at 45-50°C, coconut/rapeseed blends at 50-55°C.
• Not securing the wick - Use wick stickers or hot glue to keep it centered.
• Moving candles too soon - Let them cure for 24-48 hours (or up to 2 weeks for coconut wax for best scent throw!).
• Skipping test burns - Always test before selling or gifting!

6. Create a Clean Workspace

Candle making can get messy! Set yourself up for success:

• Cover your work surface with newspaper or parchment paper
• Keep paper towels handy for spills
• Have a dedicated pot for melting wax (don't use your cooking pots!)
• Work in a well-ventilated area

A clean, organized workspace makes the process more enjoyable and safer.

7. Label and Document Everything

Keep a candle making journal! Record:

• Wax type and amount (including blend ratios if using blends)
• Fragrance oil type and percentage
• Wick size and type
• Pour temperature
• Cure time
• Test burn results

This documentation is gold when you want to recreate a successful candle or troubleshoot issues.

8. Safety First, Always

Candle making involves hot wax and open flames. Follow these safety rules:

• Never leave melting wax unattended
• Use a double boiler or dedicated wax melter (never microwave wax!)
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
• Wear heat-resistant gloves when handling hot containers
• Keep children and pets away from your workspace

9. Start Simple, Then Experiment

Don't try to create complex layered candles with multiple fragrances on day one! Master the basics first:

1. Start with simple container candles in one color
2. Use single fragrance oils before blending
3. Perfect your technique with small batches (2-3 candles)
4. Once confident, experiment with colors, layers, wax blends, and custom fragrance blends

Patience pays off in candle making!

10. Join a Community and Keep Learning

Candle making is easier (and more fun!) when you learn from others:

• Join online candle making groups on Facebook or Reddit
• Follow experienced candle makers on Instagram and TikTok
• Take online courses to learn advanced techniques
• Share your creations and ask for feedback

At Tsuki Academy, we offer practical, beginner-friendly courses that teach you everything from basic candle making to building a profitable candle business. Check out our free resources to get started!

Ready to Make Your First Candle?

These 10 tips will set you up for candle making success! Remember:

• Start with quality materials (especially wax and wicks)
• Choose the right wax for your goals (soy for beginners, coconut/rapeseed for premium candles, blends for best of both worlds)
• Measure everything accurately
• Test, document, and learn from each batch
• Be patient - candle making is a skill that improves with practice

Want to dive deeper? Download our free Beginner's Guide to Candle Making with step-by-step instructions, safety checklists, and troubleshooting tips. Get your free guide here!

Happy candle making! ✨

Have questions? Contact us or check our FAQ page for answers to common candle making questions.