How to Start a Candle Business: Soy vs Paraffin, Maximizing Hot Throw, Supply Lists & Cure Times

How to Start a Candle Business: Soy vs Paraffin, Maximizing Hot Throw, Supply Lists & Cure Times

Hi, I’m Sabastian from Candle Business PRO. If you’re serious about learning how to start a candle business, this guide is for you. I’ve built a multi-store candle brand, taught hundreds of candle makers, and helped brands scale to wholesale and brick-and-mortar success. In this article I’ll answer the most common questions I hear: soy vs paraffin, how to maximize hot throw, what supplies you truly need when you’re starting, and how long candles actually need to cure before you sell or ship them.

Why this guide matters if you want to know how to start a candle business

When you’re figuring out how to start a candle business, there’s a mountain of advice out there—some of it accurate, some of it opinionated. My goal is to give you practical, actionable guidance based on real-world experience running three shops, supplying over 140 wholesale accounts, and training makers to launch their brands. You’ll get clear answers you can test in your own studio, plus a realistic approach to supplies, testing, and customer expectations.

Quick overview: What you’ll learn in this article

• Which wax types produce the strongest hot throw and why that matters when you’re learning how to start a candle business
• How wick selection and fragrance load affect performance
• The essential supplies you need to start a candle business (and what you can skip at first)
• Real-world curing times and testing strategies so you can sell confidently
• Quality control, packaging, shipping, and the early steps to scale from hobby to business
• A comprehensive FAQ to answer the most common startup questions

Part 1 — Soy vs Paraffin: Which is best for hot throw?

One of the first questions makers ask when they learn how to start a candle business is: "Which wax gives the best scent?" The short answer: paraffin-based waxes generally hold more fragrance oil and will often provide a stronger immediate hot throw than straight soy. However, the complete answer is more nuanced because your customer, brand positioning, and testing process all matter.

Understanding hot throw

Hot throw is the scent a candle releases while burning. It’s what your customer smells across the room when the candle is lit. If you want to start a candle business that customers rave about, hot throw is one of the top metrics you must master because it directly impacts perceived value, repeat purchases, and wholesale interest.

Hot throw is influenced by three main factors:

• Wax chemistry (soy, paraffin, blends, or other bases)
• Fragrance oil quality and the percentage of oil in the wax (fragrance load)
• Wick selection and burn temperature (how efficiently the wax and oil vaporize)

Soy wax: pros and cons when you start a brand

Soy wax has become popular among consumers. If you’re focused on building a brand that appeals to health-conscious or eco-minded shoppers, soy is often the go-to. Many customers specifically ask for soy, and that preference alone can determine your wax choice when you learn how to start a candle business aimed at that audience.

Pros of soy:

• Perceived as natural and cleaner burning by many customers
• Good for marketing and shelf positioning (many consumers look for "soy" on labels)
• Lower soot levels and a gentle, steady burn

Cons of soy:

• Generally holds less fragrance oil than paraffin, making maximum hot throw more challenging
• Some soy-only blends require specific wick types and techniques
• Performance can vary widely depending on supplier and formulation

Paraffin and paraffin blends: maximizing hot throw

If your primary goal is to maximize hot throw, paraffin or paraffin-soy blends are worth serious consideration. Paraffin has a molecular structure that more readily dissolves and retains fragrance oils—and releases them strongly when burning.

Pros of paraffin or paraffin blends:

• Higher fragrance load capability—so stronger hot throw
• Often more predictable scent performance across different fragrances
• Options for paraffin-soy blends let you market partially as "soy blend" while gaining some paraffin benefits

Cons of paraffin:

• Less attractive to customers focused on “natural” claims
• Some buyers avoid paraffin for health or environmental reasons

How to decide which wax is right for your brand

Choose the wax that fits your customer and your brand positioning. If you’re teaching yourself how to start a candle business and you plan to sell to boutiques, farmers markets, or eco-friendly shoppers, soy or soy blends may be your best option because that’s what the customer expects. If your niche is fragrance-forward, performance-focused candles—such as home fragrance for large spaces or scent-heavy blends—paraffin or paraffin blends could be the better path.

Real-world approach: test both. Buy small sample quantities from a few suppliers, make comparative batches, and evaluate hot throw, cold throw, burn pool, and customer feedback.

Part 2 — The role of wick selection and fragrance load

Once you’ve chosen your wax, wick selection and fragrance load become the critical levers to optimize hot throw and burn quality. This is central to how to start a candle business with products that perform consistently.

Start with supplier recommendations

Pro tip: start with the wick options your wax supplier recommends. Manufacturers formulate waxes with recommended wick families in mind. If you deviate too early, you’ll waste time and inventory trying to mix wicks and waxes that weren’t designed to work together.

Why this matters: each wax has a typical melt pool and viscosity. Wicks are chosen to generate the right heat so the wax and fragrance oil vaporize properly. Using a wick too small leads to tunneling and weak hot throw; using one too large burns too hot, risks soot, and can make the fragrance smell off.

How fragrance load affects hot throw

Fragrance load is the percentage of fragrance oil in your wax. Most waxes have a manufacturer-recommended range—often something like 6%–12% by weight, depending on the type of wax. Within that range, higher fragrance loads (when the wax allows) produce stronger hot throw.

Important considerations:

• Don’t exceed the maximum fragrance load recommended by your wax supplier—doing so can cause the fragrance to separate or the candle to fail.
• Fragrance quality matters—higher-quality oils often give better distribution and stability at the same percentage compared to commodity or poorly formulated oils.
• Test each fragrance: different fragrance oils behave differently even at the same load. A fruity oil may burn differently than a woody or gourmand oil.

Testing protocol for wick and fragrance

Create a testing matrix. For example, pick a wax, pick 3–4 wicks recommended by the supplier, and test one fragrance oil at a single load across those wick sizes. Track the melt pool after a set burn time (e.g., 4 hours), the hot throw (subjective room coverage), and any issues (smoke, sooting, scent change). Then vary the fragrance load to see if going up a percentage improves throw without creating separation or other problems.

Document everything. That testing discipline is core to how to start a candle business that scales—you need repeatable results so you can fulfill wholesale orders and ship consistent candles to online customers.

Part 3 — Supplies you need when first starting a candle business

When I teach people how to start a candle business, one of the top questions is: "What do I need to buy first?" I created a complete checklist that lists every tool and supply we use across our three shops and online business, and it's intentionally split into core essentials and "nice-to-haves."

At a minimum, your early supplies should include:

• Wax (start with small quantities to test different types: soy, paraffin, soy-paraffin blends)
• Fragrance oils (buy sample packs and single oils to test)
• Wicks (get the family types recommended by your wax supplier)
• Containers/vessels (glass jars, tins, or whatever you plan to use)
• Thermometer (digital or probe)—critical for temperature control
• Scale(s): one for wax measured in tenths of an ounce, and a more precise one for fragrance oils measured in hundredths
• Melting method: small melter or even a basic double boiler to start
• Pour pots or heat-resistant pitchers
• Wick centering tools or wick stickers
• Heat gun (helpful for smoothing tops and fixing minor issues)
• Labels, shipping supplies, and packaging
• Timer for stir time (your phone will work at first)

We publish our full supply checklist for free on our site. If you want to get serious about how to start a candle business, that checklist is a great way to avoid buying things you don’t need or missing essential items.

What you can delay buying

If you’re bootstrapping, skip the high-volume automated equipment at first. Don’t buy industrial-level melters, automated mold fillers, or expensive labeling machines until you've validated your product/market fit and have consistent orders. Start with a smaller melter or a controlled double-boiler setup and scale up as you grow.

Buy the right scales

Two scales, two standards: a larger scale for wax measured to tenths of an ounce and a precision scale for fragrance oils measured in hundredths of an ounce will save you headaches. Fragrance oils are potent and small differences in percentage can meaningfully change the scent throw. When you learn how to start a candle business the right way, measurement precision becomes a non-negotiable part of professional production.

Part 4 — Curing times: myth vs reality

There is a lot of conflicting advice about how long to cure candles before selling them. Some sources insist on two-week cures for soy candles; others say a few days is enough. Here’s what we do and why.

What is curing?

Curing is the time after a candle is poured during which the wax and fragrance oil bind, stabilize, and achieve optimal scent performance. During curing, some fragrance molecules continue to integrate into the wax matrix, and the scent profile may smooth and stabilize.

But in real-world retail, candles rarely sit on a shelf long before being lit, especially with online orders, wholesale distribution, or gift purchases.

Our practical curing protocol

We test and validate each wax and fragrance combination during development. For our production schedule, we use a 5-day minimum cure for most soy-based formulations. We reliably get a strong hot throw after five days. In special cases—new formulations or fragrances that behave differently—we’ll extend testing to identify the optimal period, but two weeks is not our default for every soy candle.

Why five days? Because:

• Extensive testing shows minimal difference in hot throw between 5 days and 14+ days for most modern soy formulations
• Retail reality means a candle may be poured one day and sit on a shelf for several days anyway before being lit by the end user
• Long cure time requirements can slow cash flow and order fulfillment—bad for a growing business

Testing methods to confirm cure performance

For each new formula, follow a simple testing protocol:

1. Pour multiple identical candles from the same batch.
2. Label them with the pour date and batch information.
3. Test one candle on day 3, one on day 5, one on day 14, and one at a later date (e.g., 30 days).
4. Record hot throw and cold throw subjectively and note melt pool behavior after a standard burn time (e.g., 4 hours).
5. Compare results and make adjustments to wick size or fragrance load as needed.

If the candle performs equally well at 5 days as it does at 14 days, you can confidently use a 5-day cure as your standard. Save the longer cure times for fragrances that demonstrably need them.

Part 5 — Production: consistency, testing, and pass/fail criteria

Knowing how to start a candle business is one thing—making sure every candle you sell meets performance standards is another. Repeatability comes from disciplined testing and a clear pass/fail definition for each SKU.

Define pass/fail criteria early

Set objective criteria that constitute a "pass" for each candle. Examples include:

• Melt pool diameter after X hours (e.g., 1/2 inch per hour up to a maximum)
• No tunneling after a standard burn
• Desired subjective hot throw in a standard room size after Y minutes of burn time
• No smoking or excessive soot
• Label and packaging integrity after X weeks on shelf

Be pragmatic. Your pass/fail criteria should be stringent enough to ensure the customer’s experience but realistic for your production scale and wax type. If you’re learning how to start a candle business, these standards will be your foundation for scaling to wholesale and online fulfillment.

Batch records and traceability

Keep a log for each batch with the following details:

• Date and time of pour
• Wax type and supplier
• Fragrance oil and lot number
• Fragrance percentage by weight
• Wick type and size
• Pour temperature and fragrance-add temperature
• Any anomalies or notes

These records will be a lifesaver if a candle is returned or a customer reports a problem. Traceability builds trust with wholesale clients and helps you fix issues quickly.

Part 6 — Labeling, compliance, and safety

Regulatory compliance is a critical, often overlooked part of learning how to start a candle business. Make sure your labels meet legal requirements and include safety information customers need.

Key label elements

• Brand name and contact information
• Net weight or volume
• Buyers should see warnings such as "Never leave a burning candle unattended" and other safety directions
• Ingredients or fragrance disclosure where required by law or by your own brand transparency standards
• Country of origin and any certification claims (e.g., "Made in the USA")—only use these if accurate

When in doubt, consult a label compliance resource or legal advisor familiar with personal care and home fragrance labeling in your market. Non-compliance can lead to fines, product recalls, or worse—safety incidents you don’t want as a new business owner.

Part 7 — Packaging and shipping considerations

Great packaging protects your product in transit and contributes to the brand experience, but it also adds cost. When you’re first learning how to start a candle business, find packaging that balances protection and brand aesthetic without breaking your margin.

Packaging basics

• Internal protection: use recyclable or biodegradable cushioning where possible
• External box: choose sturdy mailers that keep jars from shifting
• Label and marketing inserts: include a small insert with burn tips and company story
• Bulk orders: ensure pallets and bulk packaging keep jars from breaking

Shipping tips

Use a standard shipping policy and include lead time estimates on your website. If you promise same-day fulfillment and you’re only a solo operation, that promise will burn you out quickly. A realistic shipping window helps manage expectations and reduces customer service issues.

Part 8 — Sales channels: wholesale, retail, online, and markets

Where you sell your candles is as important as how you make them. Your sales channel strategy will influence your choices about wax type, scent profile, packaging, and pricing. When thinking about how to start a candle business, choose channels aligned with your target customer.

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) online

Pros: higher margin, direct relationship with customers, control over branding. Cons: requires marketing investment, fulfillment complexity.

• For DTC, invest in good product photography, clear descriptions, and an easy return policy.
• Emphasize lifestyle photos that show candles in context and highlight scent notes and how long to burn for first use.
• SEO and content marketing—like the content you’re reading now—are crucial for organic traffic when you learn how to start a candle business online.

Wholesale to boutiques and stores

Pros: larger order sizes, consistent revenue streams. Cons: lower margins, longer payment cycles.

To get into wholesale accounts, have a clear wholesale sheet with lead times, minimum order quantities (MOQs), wholesale pricing, and shipping terms. Be prepared to supply samples, and make sure your product performs consistently—retail buyers will not tolerate returns or customer complaints.

Brick-and-mortar stores and markets

Local markets and shops are great for early testing, brand exposure, and real feedback. If you sell in-person, fragrance choice can be guided immediately by customer reactions. That feedback loop is invaluable when you’re learning how to start a candle business and refining your staple scents.

Part 9 — Pricing, margins, and scaling

Price your candles based on ingredient cost, packaging, labor, overhead, marketing, and desired profit margin. A typical starting retail margin target is often between 50% and 60%, but that varies widely by market and brand positioning.

Cost components to include

• Wax costs per candle
• Fragrance oil cost per candle
• Wick and vessel cost per candle
• Labeling and packaging per candle
• Labor for pouring, curing, labeling, and fulfillment
• Shipping and merchant fees
• Marketing and overhead

Know your break-even price and your target wholesale and retail price. When you’re learning how to start a candle business, you’ll adjust pricing as your volumes increase and supplier discounts kick in.

Part 10 — Common problems and troubleshooting

Every maker runs into hiccups. Here are common problems and quick fixes that will help you maintain product quality as you scale.

Tunneling

Symptoms: Candle burns a narrow well down the center, leaving wax on the vessel sides.

Fixes:

• Increase wick size if the melt pool is too small.
• Ensure you are giving the candle enough time for a first burn (first burn rules matter for performance).
• Check pour temperatures and fragrance load—sometimes a too-low pour can affect adhesion and burn.

Weak hot throw

Symptoms: The scent is weak while burning.

Fixes:

• Increase fragrance load (within the wax’s limit).
• Try a paraffin blend if you need stronger throw and your brand allows it.
• Verify wick size and make sure the candle is reaching an adequate melt pool.
• Test different fragrances—some oils are naturally weaker.

Sooting or smoking

Symptoms: Black smoke from the wick or soot on the vessel.

Fixes:

• Use a smaller wick or trim the wick before each burn.
• Ensure fragrance load and wick selection align—some heavy fragrances require specific wick families.
• Check for drafts in the burning environment while testing.

Part 11 — Branding and customer experience

Packaging, copy, and how you educate customers about safe burning and first-burn rules are key to brand trust. Simple touches like a burn-care card in each box or a clear FAQ section on your site reduce returns and improve customer satisfaction.

Remember: When customers buy your candle, they’re buying an experience, not just wax and fragrance. That experience starts with how the product arrives and continues with how it burns.

Part 12 — Free resources and next steps

If you’re starting out, take advantage of free resources: supply checklists, community groups, and testing templates. I publish a free checklist listing everything we use across our shops—wax, wicks, melters, packaging, and more. Use that checklist as your shopping plan and adjust based on your budget and production goals.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions about how to start a candle business

Q: How important is choosing between soy and paraffin when I learn how to start a candle business?

A: Very important, but context matters. Choose the wax that aligns with your target customer and brand positioning. If your customers care about soy, use soy or a soy blend. If your market requires the strongest possible hot throw, consider paraffin or paraffin-soy blends. Test both to see which meets your needs.

Q: What is the minimum equipment I need to begin making and selling candles?

A: You need wax, fragrance oil, wicks, vessels, a reliable scale, a thermometer, a method to melt wax (melter or double boiler), pouring tools, and basic labeling and packaging. For a full starter list, use a proven checklist and scale up tools as orders increase.

Q: How long should I let candles cure before selling them?

A: Test to determine the ideal cure for your wax and fragrance combinations. Many modern soy formulations perform well after five days of cure. For certain fragrances and waxes, you may want to wait longer. Always test and document results.

Q: How do I test for hot throw and determine pass/fail?

A: Use a simple testing protocol: pour multiple candles from the same batch, test at multiple cure points (e.g., day 3, day 5, day 14), burn for a standard time, measure melt pool, and evaluate hot throw in a consistent room size. Define objective pass/fail criteria and stick to them.

Q: Can I market a paraffin-soy blend as "soy"? How do I present blends to customers?

A: Be transparent. If you're using a blend, mark it accurately (e.g., “soy-paraffin blend”). Some brands emphasize the presence of soy; others focus on performance. Mislabeling can harm trust, especially if customers expect pure soy.

Q: How do I price my candles when learning how to start a candle business?

A: Calculate cost per candle including wax, fragrance, vessel, wick, labels, packaging, labor, and overhead. Then apply your desired markup for retail. For wholesale, use a lower price and consider terms and minimums. Maintain healthy margins and revisit prices as your volume scales and supplier pricing changes.

Q: How often should I re-test a candle once it’s established?

A: Re-test when you change any component: new fragrance lot, new wax supplier, different wick supplier, or a change in production temperature/process. Even small changes can affect performance. Regular periodic testing (e.g., quarterly) is a good discipline for scaling brands.

Q: How do I balance marketing "natural" claims with performance?

A: Know your customer. If your audience highly values natural ingredients, emphasize soy or natural elements and be transparent about any blend. If performance is their top priority, be clear about the product’s strengths. Avoid misleading claims.

Wrapping up: Practical steps to move forward

If you’re ready to take action and truly learn how to start a candle business, here’s a simple roadmap to follow over the next 90 days:

1. Decide on your target customer and brand positioning (natural, fragrance-forward, luxury, budget, etc.).
2. Order small sample quantities of waxes (soy, paraffin blend, and maybe a container wax) and a small set of fragrance oils.
3. Set up a basic test lab with a scale, thermometer, timer, and at least 6–12 identical vessels for testing.
4. Perform a structured test matrix for wax + wick + fragrance load and document results.
5. Set your pass/fail criteria and a standard curing policy (e.g., 5 days for most products unless testing shows otherwise).
6. Create your first SKU set (3–6 scents) and finalize labels and packaging that meet compliance requirements.
7. Test packaging and shipping with a few local customers or friends, and solicit feedback.
8. Launch on one sales channel (e.g., Etsy, Shopify, local market) and gather customer feedback for continuous improvement.

Every successful candle business starts with disciplined testing, a clear understanding of the customer, and repeatable processes. As you learn how to start a candle business, focus on consistency in measurement, careful supplier selection, and real customer feedback. Those pillars will let you scale from one-off candles to a full-time brand selling online and into stores.

If you want the exact checklist and the resources we use in our shops—from melters, wicks, oils, to packaging—grab the free checklist I made available to help people just like you move fast without missing critical tools. The right supplies, a repeatable testing process, and smart channel choices will get you from hobby to a profitable business faster than trying every trend without structure.

Thanks for reading. If you’re ready to go deeper, consider joining a community of makers, testing with the checklist, and documenting your results. Learning how to start a candle business is a hands-on journey—get your hands on wax, start testing, and iterate. The most important step is the first one: make one candle, test it, and improve. Repeat that process, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your products and business improve.

"Make products your customers want, test thoroughly, and build repeatable processes. That’s how you scale from kitchen experiments to a multi-store candle brand." — Sabastian, Candle Business PRO