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Learn how to make candles!

New to candle making? You're in the right place! Use our easy-to-follow candle making guides, tutorials, and recipes to learn how you can make your own scented candles.

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 Candle
Learn how to make your own candles with this beginner-friendly tutorial
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
How to Make Soy Tealight Candles
Tealight candles are the perfect project for beginners!
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 make soy wax melts
DIY wax melts and tarts are quick, simple, and fun to make at home.
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 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.
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.
Candle making 101: How to use blotter strips
Discover why blotter strips are a necessary tool for makers who craft with scent and how to use them.
Soy candle making kit instructional video
Our Soy Candle Making Kit Video Guide

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 are fragrance oils?
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.
Candle wax guide
Easily compare and decide which candle wax works best for your next batch of candles.
How are fragrance oils made?
A look into the process of bringing a fragrance oil to life, from initial concept to final product.
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.
How to evaluate fragrance oils
Learn the three ways to evaluate fragrance oils so that you can get the most out of each and every one.
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.
The essential guide to candle label requirements
Everything you need to know to properly label your candles and wax melts!
Fragrance oil blending 101
Get a crash course in fragrance oil blending and snag a few blend ideas to inspire you!
How to select fragrance oils for luxury candles
Learn about luxury marketing and discover how to curate fragrance oils for luxury candle collections.
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.
Paraffin wax: How it’s made, why it's controversial, and what the science says
Discover the truth about paraffin wax, from how it’s made and the concerns and myths to its features and common uses.
Fragrance Oil Blending With BlendingElements
Discover how to use BlendingElements to expand your product line, deepen your blending practice, and celebrate your favorite notes.

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.

Behind the scents

Get an insider look at our fragrance oil revisions and launches.

Behind the scents: fall/holiday 2023
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our seven new fragrances for fall/holiday.
Behind the scents: August 2023
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our seven new year-round fragrances.
Behind the scents: May 2023
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our eight new citronella and year-round fragrances.
Behind the scents: spring/summer 2023
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our six new fragrances for spring/summer.
Behind the scents: fall/holiday 2022
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our seven new fragrances for fall/holiday.
Behind the scents: spring/summer 2022
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our seven new fragrances for spring/summer.
Behind the scents: fall/holiday 2021
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our eight new fragrances for fall/holiday.
Behind the scents: spring/summer 2021
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our eight new fragrances for spring/summer
Behind the scents: fall/holiday 2020
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our six new fragrances for fall/holiday
Behind the scents: spring/summer 2020
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our eight new fragrances for spring/summer..
Behind the scents: fall/holiday 2019
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our six new fragrances for the fall/holiday season.
Behind the scents: June 2019 revisions
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our seven fragrance oil revisions.
Behind the scents: May 2019 revisions
Go behind the scents and get an insider look at our eight fragrance oil revisions.