Learn how to make candles | Helpful Guides and Tutorials

Become a candle maker now!

You can make beautiful homemade candles. Whether you're interested in making them as gifts for friends, or for personal use, we’ll show you the easiest way how!

Our quick email course is a great starting point to learn all about the steps involved in candle making in a short time. The course covers:

Finding the right supplies and equipment
Preparing your workspace
Basic candle making techniques

Making your own candles is as much of an art as a science. With different types of candles like pillars, container candles, and even wax melts to make, you can experiment at home with candle making and experience hours of creative enjoyment!

But before getting started, you may be wondering what candle making involves. The basic steps to make candles are:

Melt the wax
Stir in scent (fragrance oil or essential oil) and dyes
Wick your candle containers or molds
Pour the wax mixture and the candle jars or molds
Let the candles cool, set, and cure
Light and enjoy!

So, does creating DIY candles sound like something you want to try? While the steps above are a simple overview, keep scrolling to discover more candle making tutorials and instructional videos below. They will take you in-depth so you can master the techniques to make exceptional candles!

Candle making instructions

How to make a soy candle

Learn how to make your own soy candles with this beginner-friendly tutorial.

How to make soy candles with essential oils

Discover how to make soy essential oil candles in this beginner-friendly tutorial.

VIDEO GUIDE: beginner candle making with soy wax

Join Dana as she shows you how to make soy container candles.

How to choose the right wick size

Find the Right Wick Size for Your Candles

Soy candle making kit instructional video

Our Soy Candle Making Kit Video Guide

How to make soy tealight candles

Tealight candles are easy to make and add ambiance to any space.

How to conduct a basic burn test

Conducting a burn test will help you determine the proper wick application for your candles.

Make soy candles with the microwave

Ready to move on from the double boiler? Learn how to make soy candles using the microwave in this easy-to-follow video.

How to make votive candles

Our easy step-by-step guide to make your own votive candles. A great project for beginner candlemakers!

Wicking container candles

Learn the characteristics of a correctly wicked candle.

Choosing a soy wax

Take the guesswork out of choosing the right soy wax for your next project.

Simple paraffin container candles

Make your own paraffin wax candles using this easy-to-follow video and materials list.

Make clamshell wax melts

Learn how you can make wax melts with our clamshells molds.

How to wick a pillar mold

Learn how to properly wick a pillar mold when making pillar candles with this easy-to-follow tutorial.

How to make a pillar candle

Learn how to make a basic pillar candle.

How to make reed diffusers

Learn how to make reed diffusers with this easy-to-follow tutorial.

How to marble candles

Add an artsy touch to your candles with dye—the marbling technique adds swirls of color directly to the wax that can be viewed through the sides of the candle jars.

How to whip wax

Let your creativity shine with this fun and versatile Strawberries and Cream project featuring the Blush Nordic 3-Wick Ceramic Jar and Strawberries and Cream fragrance oil.

How to make wax embeds for candles

Discover how to add decorative elements to your candles by making wax embeds in this beginner-friendly tutorial.

Best essential oils for beginner candle making

Our top five picks for beginner-friendly natural essential oils, plus guidance on labeling naturally scented products.

6 tips for demolding wax projects

Learn how to remove wax melts, pillar candles, and embeds without breakage.

Candle making articles and resources

Become familiar with the components and terminology used in candle making.

Soy wax troubleshooting guide

Find troubleshooting recommendations for your soy wax candle making issues.

Wick guide

Looking for the right wick series or wick size? Consult our Wick Guide!

What's In a fragrance oil?

Ever wonder what's in candle fragrance oils?

What EXACTLY Is soy wax?

Learn all about soy wax: where soy is grown, how it's transformed into soy wax flakes, and the uses and benefits of this natural wax.

Candle making terms

Unsure of a term that you see on our website? Review our list of common candle making terms.

What are pretabbed wick assemblies?

Learn what a wick assembly is, how it's made, and the purpose of each component.

How to use fragrance blotter strips

Learn how professional perfumers evaluate fragrances using blotters strips.

Candle wax guide

Easily compare and decide which candle wax works best for your next batch of candles.

The fragrance wheel: notes, families, and how to use it

Learn how to use the Fragrance Wheel to deepen your understanding of fragrance and blend like a pro.

How to use IFRA Certificates

Learn how to read the IFRA certificate and what it means for the safety of your handmade products.

IFRA 49: what candle and soap makers need to know

Read about IFRA 49 and how it may affect your business.

Fragrance oil blending 101

Get a crash course in fragrance oil blending and snag a few blend ideas to inspire you!

Our fragrance oils are phthalate free!

What does that mean for you as a candle or soap maker? And what even are phthalates, anyway?

Candle making 101: hot throw

This beginner's guide will teach you how pros make scented candles with an impressive hot throw.

Candle making 101: smooth tops

Learn how to achieve smooth tops when making candles.

Candle making 101: how to multi-wick candles

An overview of multi-wicking basics and common mistakes to avoid.

Candle making 101: how to select the right wax for any project

Learn how to select the appropriate wax for your container candles, wax melts, pillars, and more.

Candle making supplies for beginners

All about the basic supplies, products, and equipment you’ll need to begin your candle making journey

Where does the wax go when a candle burns?

Learn the science behind the chemical reactions that change solid candle wax into invisible carbon dioxide, gas, and water vapor.

Candle wax lab notes

Learn about processes, wax performance, aesthetics, and more in our detailed wax lab notes so you can have great success with your next candle project.