What Kind Of Dye To Use On Soy Wax?
Soy wax is made from soybean oil and is a popular candle making wax due to its clean burn and natural scent. Soy wax also holds dye and fragrance oils very well compared to paraffin wax. Dyeing soy wax allows candle makers to achieve beautiful, rich colors and effects in their soy candles.
Compared to paraffin wax, soy wax is better for dyeing because it has a natural creamy color that takes dye more evenly. Paraffin wax is white, so achieving deep, vibrant colors requires a lot of dye. Beeswax and other natural waxes also take dye well, but soy wax is preferable for dyeing because it’s affordable and accessible.
The downside of dyeing soy wax versus other waxes is that soy wax requires more specialized dye. Regular liquid candle dyes don’t work as well in soy wax compared to beeswax or paraffin. But with the right soy wax dye, it’s easy to achieve beautiful results.
Types of Dye for Soy Wax
There are three main types of dye that can be used to color soy wax: liquid dyes, block dyes, and powder dyes.
Liquid dyes are the most commonly used type of dye for soy candles. They come in small bottles and you simply add drops of the dye directly into your melted wax. Liquid dyes allow you to achieve vibrant, translucent colors in soy wax. They are available in a wide range of single colors as well as color mixing sets. According to CandleScience, “Liquid dyes are soluble oil-based tints designed specifically for candle making.” They recommend using 1 drop of dye per 1 ounce of wax as a starting point. Popular brands of liquid dye for soy wax include CandleScience’s liquid dyes https://www.candlescience.com/color/liquid-dye/ and EcoSoya’s organic liquid dyes https://hiveandhoneycandleco.com/collections/eco-liquid-dyes.
Block dyes, also called dye blocks or dye chips, are concentrated solid blocks of color that you can grate directly into melted wax. They allow you to achieve rich, opaque colors. Block dyes are available in many standard candle colors. To use them, you just grate a small amount of the block into your wax using a fine grater. Terre De Bougies recommends starting with 1% of block dye and adjusting from there. Block dyes for soy wax include CandleScience’s dye blocks and EcoSoya’s organic dye blocks.
Powder dyes, also called liquid dye powders, are highly concentrated powdered dyes that you mix with a small amount of oil before adding to your melted wax. They produce intense, vivid colors. To use powder dyes, you make a concentrated liquid dye by mixing the powder with oil, then you add drops of the liquid into your wax. CandleScience recommends starting with a ratio of 1 teaspoon of powder to 1 ounce of oil. Popular powder dye options include CandleScience’s powder dyes.
How to Dye Soy Wax
When dyeing soy wax, it’s important to maintain the proper temperature. Soy wax should be heated to 185-190°F before adding dye according to BrambleBerry. This ensures the wax is fully melted and enables the dye to blend properly.
Mixing methods can also impact dye dispersion and color saturation. BrambleBerry recommends adding a small amount of dye at a time and stirring for 2-3 minutes before adding more. This allows the dye to fully incorporate. Overmixing can cause the soy wax to seize up or become grainy.
How much dye to add depends on the desired color intensity. As a general rule, start with 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of dye per pound of wax according to BrambleBerry. Darker colors may require closer to 1/2 teaspoon per pound. It’s best to add dye slowly and evaluate the color before adding more.
Properly heating the wax, mixing carefully, and adding the right amount of dye are key steps for achieving vibrant, even colors when dyeing soy wax.
Liquid Dyes
Liquid dyes are a popular type of dye used to color soy wax. Some key advantages of liquid dyes include:
- Highly concentrated – Only a small amount is needed to achieve vibrant colors
- Easy to mix into wax – Requires just gentle stirring
- Wide range of colors available – From primary colors to neons and pastels
- Affordable and economical
Some potential downsides are that liquid dyes can bleed or morph in soy wax compared to paraffin wax. Proper mixing and testing is important.
Popular brands of liquid candle dye for soy wax are CandleScience, Hive and Honey, and Lone Star Candle Supply. These offer a wide range of dye colors in economical sizes.
To use liquid dyes, first prepare the wax. Heat soy wax to a temperature of 180 to 200°F. Then add a small amount of dye, starting with 1⁄8 teaspoon per pound of wax. Mix the dye in thoroughly using a whisk or spatula. Continue adding dye in small increments, mixing well between each addition, until the desired color is reached. Testing on a wax spoon first can help gauge the amount of dye needed. Go slowly, as it’s easy to add more dye but difficult to remove excess.
Block Dyes
Block dyes are one of the most popular types of dye used to color soy wax. Block dyes come in square or rectangular blocks and need to be grated or shaved before adding to wax. Here are the main pros and cons of using block dyes:
Pros:
- Easy to measure out exact amounts
- Available in a wide range of vibrant colors
- Dissolve well in soy wax
- Produce deep, rich colors
Cons:
- Can be messy to grate/shave
- Take longer to fully dissolve compared to liquids
- Need to be stored properly to avoid sweating/mold
Some of the most popular brands of block dyes for soy wax are CandleScience, Lone Star, and The Flaming Candle. When using block dyes, it’s recommended to grate or shave them into a fine powder before adding to melted wax. Start with 0.5-1% dye by weight and mix thoroughly. Increase in small increments until desired color is achieved. Too much dye can negatively impact scent throw or create odor issues when burning. Properly storing unused grated dye in an airtight container will help preserve its shelf life.
Powder Dyes
Powder dyes are very concentrated dye powders that can be used to color soy wax. They are a popular option because a little powder goes a long way. According to Maple Street Candle, 1/2 ounce of powder dye will color about 150-200 pounds of wax.
Some pros of using powder dyes for soy wax:
- Very concentrated, so only a small amount is needed
- Produces rich, vibrant colors
- Easy to mix into wax
- Wide range of colors available
Some potential cons:
- Can be messy to work with
- Need precise measuring for consistent color
- Can leave dye specks if not mixed thoroughly
Popular brands of powder dye for soy wax include CandleScience, Lone Star Candle Supply, and Bramble Berry. To use powder dye, first measure out the desired amount of dye using a small scale. A good starting point is 1/8 tsp dye per 1 lb of wax. Then mix the powder dye thoroughly into melted soy wax before pouring candles. Going with a lighter color first is recommended, as more dye can be added but removing excess is difficult. Always mix for 5-10 minutes to distribute the dye evenly and prevent speckling.
Achieving Different Colors
You can create a wide range of colors by mixing different dyes together. When mixing dyes, start with small amounts and add more as needed to achieve the desired shade. Popular color combinations include mixing a red dye with a blue dye to make purple or mixing a yellow dye with a red dye to make orange. The color possibilities are endless!
Layering dyes is another technique for producing unique colors in soy candles. To layer colors, first dye the bottom portion of wax one color, then pour a layer of clean wax over it. Next, dye the next portion a different color and pour it over the clean wax layer. Repeat until you’ve created the desired color patterns. The layers will blend and swirl together as the candle burns, providing visual interest.
According to candle making experts, layering dye colors can help deepen hues and produce multi-dimensional effects (https://www.brambleberry.com/how-to/candles/art0152-color-candles.html). When layering, choose lighter colors for the bottom layers and darker colors for the top layers so that the candle retains a vibrant appearance as it burns down. Experiment with combining solid block dyes, liquid dyes, mica powder, and other special effect pigments when layering colors in soy wax.
Special Effects
Creating special effects with soy wax dyes can add a unique look to candles. Two popular special effects are metallic colors and iridescence.
Metallic colors like gold, silver, copper and bronze can be achieved using mica powder pigments. According to instructables.com, adding a small amount of mica powder to the wax before pouring candles will create a metallic shimmer effect. Start with about 1 teaspoon of mica per pound of wax. Mix the mica powder thoroughly to distribute it evenly and prevent clumping.
Iridescence is a rainbow like sheen produced when light hits the candle wax. This effect can be created using pearl ex powder pigments. As with mica powder, mix in a small amount starting with 1 teaspoon per pound of wax. The pearlescent particles in the powder will catch and reflect light. Try combining iridescent pearl ex with colored wax or dyes for a multidimensional look.
Troubleshooting
When working with soy wax, you may run into some common issues like scorching and uneven coloring. Here are some tips for troubleshooting and preventing these problems:
To prevent scorching when pouring soy candles, avoid overheating the wax. The best pouring temperature for soy wax is between 135-145°F. Any hotter and you risk scorching and frosting on the candle surface. Also make sure to pour into a container that is room temperature or slightly warmed 1.
If you end up with uneven coloring in your soy candle, there are a couple solutions. First, make sure to stir dyes thoroughly into melted wax before pouring. Using too little dye or not mixing well enough can create inconsistent coloring. You can also try adding a teaspoon of white dye to help blend and even out the color 2. With proper mixing and dye amounts, you should be able to achieve uniform coloring in soy wax.
Summary
When dyeing soy wax, it’s best to start with a small batch to test out colors and techniques. Liquid dyes typically offer the most versatility and vibrancy. Always add dye sparingly and mix thoroughly to evenly distribute color. For creative effects, try layering colors or adding mica powder shimmer. Consider combining dyes, using heavier application on the top later for a gradient effect. Test how the cooled wax accepts scent, as some dyes may alter hot and cold throw. Allow the wax to fully cure 24-48 hours before assessing final color.
Dyed soy wax offers many creative possibilities for candle making, home decor, and DIY projects. Try using dyed wax to create colorful embeds, votives, or container candles. Pour alternating colors to make striped or swirled designs. Use colored wax to coat objects like vases, bottles or jars for a stained glass effect. Dyed wax can also be used to make colorful wax melts, crayons, or cosmetics like lip balm. Soy wax’s low melting point makes it easy to create and reuse in different forms.
