How Can I Make A Candle Mould?

A candle mould is a container used to shape wax into a desired form when making candles. Moulds come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from simple cylinder and pillar moulds to more elaborate shapes like animals, flowers, and more. Many candle makers choose to make their own moulds as a way to create totally unique candle designs that fit their specific vision. Since commercial moulds can be limiting, making DIY moulds allows complete creative freedom when designing candle shapes and styles. Plus, it can be a fun craft project! The popularity of homemade candles has risen in recent years as people enjoy personalizing scents and candle designs. With homemade moulds, makers can infuse their own creativity and style into stunning handmade candles.

Materials Needed

The main materials needed for making candle moulds are wax, wicks, fragrance oils, and a container for the mould. Here’s an overview of each material:

Wax – There are several types of wax that can be used for candle making including paraffin, soy, beeswax, and palm wax. Paraffin wax is commonly used since it’s inexpensive and easily accessible. Soy wax is a natural alternative made from soybeans. Beeswax and palm wax create candles with a beautiful natural finish.

Wicks – Wicks come in different materials like cotton, wood, and paper. Cotton wicks are good all-purpose options. Choose a wick thickness that matches the diameter of your candle container.

Fragrance Oils – Essential oils or synthetic fragrance oils are added for scent. Make sure the oils are formulated for candles to ensure proper burning.

Containers – Any nonflammable container can be used for a candle mould like glass, metal or silicone. Make sure the container can withstand hot wax being poured into it.

Other useful materials include thermometers, pouring pots, and candle dye. Refer to this introduction for more details on required tools and materials.

Choosing a Mould

When making candles at home, you have several options for the type of mould to use. Some of the most common mould materials include:

Silicone – Silicone molds are flexible, easy to use, and make unmolding candles easy. They come in many shapes and sizes. Silicone withstands high temperatures, so you can pour hot wax directly into the molds without melting them. They are durable and can be used repeatedly.^[1]

Metal – Metal molds, usually made from aluminum or tin, create candles with a smooth, professional appearance. They efficiently conduct heat for even cooling of candles. Metal molds allow you to make large batches of candles at once. However, metal can dent or warp over time. Metal molds require treating the inside with a release agent before each use.^[2]

Plastic – Plastic molds are inexpensive and good for beginners. They are lightweight and come in many shapes. However, plastic can warp or melt if the wax is too hot. Only use plastic molds for small candles and lower temperature waxes.

The material you choose depends on your budget, the type of candles you want to make, and how much reuse you expect to get from the molds. Silicone and metal molds are the best choices for frequent candle making and high-quality results.

Designing the Mould

One of the most creative aspects of making your own candle mould is designing the shape and texture. You can create unique candle designs by experimenting with different mould shapes like rounds, rectangles, squares, pillars, and more. The shape options are endless.

Consider if you want a smooth surface or to add pattern details like florals, geometrics, or other textures. Smooth surfaces make for a clean, modern candle design while patterns add visual interest. If opting for a pattern, test out your design on paper first before transferring it to the mould. Refer to craft books or online tutorials for guidance on hand-carving pattern designs.

Keep in mind that more intricate shapes and patterns will be harder to unmould properly. Simple, clean shapes tend to turn out the best. Make sure to carve shapes and patterns in high relief so they will be visible on the finished candle once removed from the mould.

Aim for a unique, creative mould design that reflects your personal style. The shape and texture options are endless, so have fun testing different carved patterns and silhouettes until you achieve your perfect custom candle mould.

Making the Mould

Once you have designed and chosen a mould, it’s time to actually make it. The steps for this will vary depending on your selected material.

If using silicone, follow these steps:

• Prepare the mould frame and containers according to your design. Make sure surfaces are clean.
• Measure out an equal ratio of silicone Part A and Part B as specified on the packaging. Thoroughly mix together.
• Pour the silicone into your prepared mould frame or containers. Tap gently to remove any air bubbles.
• Allow the silicone to cure fully, which can take 16-24 hours. Do not disturb it while curing.
• Once cured, carefully remove the silicone mould from the frame or container.

If using plaster, here are the steps:

• Grease the inside of your mould frame or container before starting.
• Mix up a batch of plaster, following package directions.
• Quickly but carefully pour the plaster into the prepared mould frame or container.
• Allow the plaster to set fully, which takes around 30-90 minutes. Do not disturb it while setting.
• Once set, gently remove the plaster mould.

Be sure to follow all safety precautions for your chosen material. Now the mould is ready for pouring candles!

Source: https://polytek.com/tutorial/tutorial-how-to-make-a-silicone-rubber-candle-mold/

Preparing the Wick

Properly preparing the wick is an important step when making candles. The wick size should be selected based on the diameter of the candle mold. A wick that is too small may not burn properly, while one too large can create issues like tunneling. Most candle wick suppliers provide guidelines on ideal wick sizes for different candle diameters.

Once the right wick size is chosen, it should be centered in the candle mold before pouring wax. This helps ensure even burning. Some methods for centering wicks include using wick stickum or hot glue on the base, tying knots at the base, or using a wick bar across the mold. The wick must be straight and taut when secured.

According to How to Prepare Wicks for Candle Making, wicks can also be “primed” before pouring by dipping them in wax. This helps the wick adhere to the wax and prevents issues like clogging.

Melting and Pouring

One of the key steps in candle making is properly melting and pouring the wax into the mold. Here are some tips for this important process:

Melt wax slowly and carefully in a double boiler or wax melting pot, heating it 5-10 degrees above the manufacturer recommended pour temperature. Do not let wax burn or scorch. According to experts at Lone Star Candle Supply, “Be sure to stir the wax regularly as it melts to prevent hot spots and uneven heating.” https://lonestarcandlesupply.com/prepare-wax-for-pouring/

Once wax is fully melted, remove from heat and add fragrance oil if desired, following usage instructions. Mix in thoroughly. Allow to cool slightly before pouring.

Pour wax slowly and steadily into the candle mold, being careful not to splash or create bubbles. Pour from close to the mold, not from high up. Leave a little room at the top for the final pour.

Let the wax setup and cool completely before attempting to unmold the candle. This may take 6-24 hours.

Unmoulding

It’s important to let your candle cure completely before attempting to remove it from the mould. This ensures the wax has fully hardened and contracted away from the sides of the mould, making it easier to unmould.

Wait at least 24 hours before unmoulding, though some recommend waiting up to 48-72 hours if using softer waxes like soy or palm. Test the candle by gently pressing on the sides – it should feel completely solid and should not indent. If the wax still feels soft or sticky, let it cure longer.

To remove the candle from the mould, start by gently flexing the mould to loosen the candle. Slowly pull the mould away from the wax, easing it off rather than yanking. If the candle sticks, putting the mould in the freezer for an hour can help contract the wax. You can also try running a hairdryer over the mould for 30 seconds to melt any wax sticking to the sides.

Avoid using knives or sharp objects to pry candles from moulds as this can scratch or damage the candle surface. Be patient and work the mould off slowly. Any remaining wax bits can be gently scraped off after.

According to experts at AliExpress, unmoulding correctly ensures your candle keeps its shape and has a smooth surface for decorating. Letting the wax fully cure first is key.

Troubleshooting

Making candles is an art that takes practice. Don’t get discouraged if your first few attempts don’t turn out perfectly. There are some common issues that can arise and easy ways to fix them:

Sinkholes – This is when there is a dip or hole in the top of the candle. It happens when the wax cools too quickly before fully adhering to the sides of the container. To fix, use a heat gun to gently remelt the top layer of wax. Pour a small amount of melted wax into the hole to fill it. Let it cool completely before burning the candle. Be careful not to overheat the wax when fixing sinkholes.

Air bubbles – Small air bubbles can form when pouring candles. Run a skewer through the wax to pop larger bubbles before they harden. For small bubbles, just let them be – they will not affect how the candle burns.

To prevent air bubbles, pour wax at the proper temperature (around 150-165°F), pour slowly in a thin stream, and tap the container lightly after pouring to dislodge trapped air. Make sure not to stir or agitate the wax too much.

Wick issues – Trim wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent soot. If wick is too short, extinguish candle, let wax re-harden, and trim wick slightly longer until the flame is steady. Use proper wick sizing for the candle diameter.

If wick moves off center as candle burns, extinguish and re-center while wax is still liquid. Make sure candle containers are level while cooling.

Tunneling – This is when wax melts unevenly around the wick, creating a tunnel effect. It can be caused by an oversized wick or pouring wax too hot. Switch to a smaller diameter wick or pour wax at a lower temp (130-140°F).

Follow the manufacturer’s wick guidelines for best results. Test different wick types and sizes in your particular wax and fragrance blend.

Decorating and Using

Once you have created your candle mould and poured your candle, there are many creative ways to decorate it before lighting. Some popular techniques include:

• Adding dried flowers, leaves, pinecones or other natural materials by pressing them into the wax before it fully hardens. Make sure to choose non-flammable decorations. (Source)
• Gluing lace, sequins, beads, or glitter onto the outside of the candle with a hot glue gun. Let the candle cool completely first. (Source)
• Painting the candle surface with non-toxic paint pens or acrylic paint. Stencils can create fun patterns. Allow paint to dry fully before burning.
• Wrapping ribbon, raffia, twine or wire around the candle to add color and texture.

Before lighting your homemade candle, it’s important to trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch length. This will allow for proper wax pooling and reduce excess smoking and dripping. Trim wicks before each use. Only burn candles on level, heat safe surfaces away from drafts. Keep burning candles attended and out of reach of children and pets. Allow the wax pool to harden completely before moving the candle. Adhere to all standard candle safety guidelines.