How Do I Choose A Candle Jar?
When choosing a candle jar, there are a variety of factors to consider in order to select the right vessel for your candle. The jar material, size, lid type, finish and color, shape, weight, branding, cost, and decorative elements can all impact the look, feel, safety, and effectiveness of your candle.
Glass, metal, and ceramic are common jar materials, each with their own aesthetic qualities and functional properties related to heat resistance and clean burning. The jar size should fit the candle size to allow proper wax pooling and burn time. Lid options like inner vs outer or hinged vs removable provide different benefits. Color, opacity, embossing, and other decorative finishes influence the ambiance created. Shape impacts how the candle illuminates its surroundings. Weight affects portability and stability. Branding and customization allow you to make the jar suit your style or product line. Finally, cost often correlates with quality and durability.
By weighing all these factors, you can select a vessel that makes for an optimal candle user experience while expressing your design vision.
Jar Material
The most common materials used for candle jars are glass, tin, aluminum, and plastic. Each material has its own pros and cons.
Glass jars (https://www.candlemakingsupplies.net/which-candle-jar-to-use-for-beginner-candle-makers) are a popular choice as they have an elegant, sleek look. They allow the candle’s light to shine through and showcase the colors and design. Glass is sturdy and can withstand high temperatures. The downside is glass can break if dropped.
Tin jars (https://www.roetell.com/a-complete-guide-to-types-of-candle-jars/) are attractive and durable. Tin conducts heat well and cools quickly after the candle is extinguished. However, tin can be prone to dents and scratches. Tin also blocks light transmission.
Aluminum jars (https://www.roetell.com/a-complete-guide-to-types-of-candle-jars/) are lightweight, rust-resistant, and excellent at dissipating heat. But they tend to be more expensive and dent easily. Aluminum also blocks light.
Plastic jars (https://www.lifenreflection.com/safe-candle-containers-for-candle-making/) are inexpensive, shatter-resistant, and lightweight. However, most plastics melt at the high temperatures of candle wax. Look for high-temperature resistant plastics designed for candle making.
Jar Size
Candle jars come in a range of standard and oversized heights and diameters. The most common candle jar sizes are:
- 2oz – 2.5″ height x 1.5″ diameter
- 4oz – 2.75″ height x 2″ diameter
- 6oz – 3″ height x 2.25″ diameter
- 8oz – 3.25″ height x 2.5″ diameter
- 10oz – 3.5″ height x 2.75″ diameter
- 12oz – 3.75″ height x 3″ diameter
Oversized jars tend to range from 16oz to 22oz. Their heights vary from 4.5″ to 6.5″ and diameters from 3.5″ to 4″.
When selecting a candle jar size, consider the candle’s burn time. Smaller jars like 2-4oz are good for candles with shorter burn times like votives. Larger oversized jars are better for pillars and containers candles with long burn times. Make sure to match the wax volume to the jar size so the candle fills the vessel properly.
Also consider the visual proportions. Select a jar height and diameter that looks pleasing with your candle’s dimensions. Avoid jars that look too wide or narrow for the candle’s size.
Useful size references:
https://www.avery.co.uk/blog/business/advice/candle-label-size-guide
https://jarstore.com/candle-containers/glass-candle-jars/glass-candle-jars-by-size/
Lid Type
One of the most important factors when choosing a candle jar is the type of lid. There are three main options for candle jar lids:
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Screw-on lids – These lids screw tightly onto the jar opening. They create an airtight seal to lock in fragrance and are the most secure option. Screw-on metal lids can rust over time. Plastic screw lids won’t rust but can become brittle (Jarstore).
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Slip-on lids – These lids slide over the jar opening and rest on the rim. They don’t seal as tightly as screw-on lids. However, slip-on lids allow users to smell the candle easily without having to pry off a top. Popular styles are cork, wood, raffia, and plastic (Candlescience).
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Hinged lids – Hinged lids are attached to the jar with a spring or hinge. They flip open for lighting then closed to extinguish the flame. Hinged lids are convenient but more prone to breaking over time (Candlescience).
Consider if you want a tight seal, easy access to scent, or a hinged convenience. Also factor in lid material, rust resistance, and durability.
Finish and Color
The finish and color of a candle jar can dramatically impact the look and feel of your candle. Here are some key considerations when selecting finish and color:
Matte vs Glossy: Matte finishes have a soft, velvety look while glossy finishes have a shiny, reflective surface. Matte finishes tend to diffuse light better for a warm glow while glossy finishes give a sleek, elegant look. Glossy finishes also show fingerprints and smudges more easily.
Clear vs Colored: Clear glass allows the true color of the candle wax to shine through while colored glass casts a hue over the entire candle. Popular colored glass options include amber, blue, green, red, and black [1]. Colored glass makes a bold style statement.
Finish Durability: Glass with a smooth finish is the most durable option. Avoid heavy distressing or crackled finishes which can chip and fade more easily with use over time. Metallic painted finishes will also scratch and peel with repeated use.
The Shape of Candle Jars
The shape of the candle jar is an important factor that impacts the look and feel of your candle. Here are some of the most common candle jar shapes to consider:
Cylindrical
Cylindrical jars are the most common and classic shape for candles. They allow for even burning and provide a clean, simple look. Cylindrical jars work well for a variety of candle styles.
Faceted
Faceted jars have flat sides and sharp edges, creating a gem-like appearance. The striking geometric design stands out. Faceted jars work best for thick wax candles, as the shape provides more surface area for melting.
Curved
Curved jars have an elegant, rounded shape with flowing lines. The softer silhouette creates an organic, natural look. Curved jars pair well with soy wax or vegetable wax candles.
Square
Square candle jars have an unexpected shape with sleek, straight edges. The blocky silhouette looks more modern and contemporary. Square jars allow for artful packaging and graphic label designs.
Weight
The weight of a candle jar is an important factor to consider. Heavier jars tend to feel more substantial and luxurious in the hand. The thick glass also helps retain heat and allows the candle to burn more slowly and evenly. According to discussions on Reddit, the average weight of an 8oz candle including the jar is around 1 pound or 16 ounces.1 On the other hand, lighter jars allow for easier transport and reduce shipping costs for online purchases.
The distribution of weight also affects how the jar feels when picked up. Heavier bases tend to provide a lower center of gravity, making the candle feel more stable and reducing the chance of tipping over. However, jars with more evenly distributed weight also have appeal. The choice between heavy versus light, and bottom-weighted versus balanced jars comes down to personal preference and intended use.
Decorative Elements
Candle jars often incorporate decorative elements to enhance their visual appeal. Some popular options include:
Etching: Etched patterns like floral designs or inspirational quotes give jars an elegant, personalized touch. The etching can be done on the exterior or interior of the glass.
Embossing: Embossing creates a raised relief pattern on the surface of the glass. This 3D effect adds lovely dimension and texture.
Decorative lids: Metal, wooden, or ceramic lids can make a statement. Distressed, engraved, or jeweled lids upgrade the look in an instant. Wicker weave and natural materials are popular.
Other elements like decorative labels, ribbons, raffia, twine, dried flowers, shells, or sand can provide embellishment. Overall, decorative touches allow you to customize the jar to suit your personal style.
Branding
Branding your candle jars is an excellent way to promote your business, make your products stand out, and connect with customers. Many candlemakers offer customization options to add your company name, logo, or other designs to the jars.
Some popular branding techniques include:
- Screen printing – Your logo or image is printed directly onto the glass. Often done in white or metallic colors.
- Etching – Your logo is etched into the surface of the glass jar. This provides a sleek, understated look.
- Engraving – Similar to etching, but engraved logos stand out in relief. Engraving can be filled with paint for a bolder effect.
- Deco foil – Metallic foils in various colors can be applied to create shiny, eye-catching designs.
- Labels – Printed paper or vinyl labels allow for full color logos and detailed designs. They can be easily swapped out for gift sets or seasonal collections.
When ordering branded candle jars, look for suppliers that offer in-house design services and a range of decoration options suited to your business. Expect customization to add to the base cost of the jars. For small businesses, simple techniques like labels tend to be the most budget-friendly route. With the right branding, your candle jars can turn into memorable keepsakes for customers.
Source: https://www.palmettoscentstudio.com/product-page/custom-scented-candle-jars
Cost
When choosing a candle jar, cost is an important factor to consider. There are a few things that impact the price of candle jars:
Jar material – Glass jars tend to be more affordable than premium materials like ceramic or metal. Standard glass jars can start around $1 per jar, while luxury materials may cost $5 or more per jar (https://www.candlescience.com/containers/candle-jars/).
Jar size – Larger jars will be more expensive. An 8 oz jar may cost $1.50, while a 16 oz jar could cost over $2. The amount of raw materials impacts cost.
Decorations – Plain jars are the most budget-friendly. Embellished jars with etchings, paint, or glitter will cost more due to the extra production work.
Quantity – Buying jars in bulk brings down the per-unit price significantly. Jars purchased by the case can save over 50% compared to buying individually.
Overall, standard glass jars from wholesale suppliers offer the best value, starting around $1 per jar. Luxury, embellished, or specialty jars can range from $2-$10 per jar. Buying jars by the case provides ideal budget pricing.
