How Much Does it Cost to Make a Candle?

Last Updated on March 14, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Candle making can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. But between all the supplies and ingredients, how much should you budget to create your own candles at home?

In this article, we’ll go over the most important candle making costs and take a detailed look at pricing for materials, equipment, and labor. Read on for a full overview of what goes into candle expenses so you can plan your budget.

How Much Does it Cost to Make a Candle?

It will cost about $70 to $155 on average to make 12 to 24 wax candles, although the price will depend on factors like the materials you put into it, whether you buy them at retail price or in bulk, your location, and so on.

The main components that go into a candle are:

• Wax – Paraffin, soy, beeswax, or other base wax for fuel and structure
• Wicks – Cotton, paper, or other materials to draw up melted wax
• Fragrance oils – Essential oils or artificial scents for aroma
• Dyes – Colors to tint the wax for decorative effect
• Containers – Jars, tins, or other vessels to hold the candle

Here are typical price ranges for enough ingredients to make 12-24 eight ounce candles:

• Wax – $20 to $40
• Wicks – $5 to $10
• Fragrance oils – $10 to $30
• Dyes – $5 to $15
• Containers – $30 to $60

Homestead Sparkle notes that the average cost to make an 8-ounce candle is about $2.50 each. Candle making cost starts at around $50 for a starter kit. Each 8-ounce candle would cost about $6 to $7 from a kit. Making 100 candles costs about $150.

According to Armatage Candle Company, the cost of making a candle depends on the materials used. For example, the cost of wax is around $60 for 50 lbs, while the cost of fragrance oil is around $1.05. The total cost of materials for an 8-ounce candle is around $3.31.

When selling your candles, Candle Science states that a traditional metric is to charge two times your cost for wholesale orders and three to four times your cost for direct sales. The cost of making a candle depends on the materials used, including supplies, equipment, and overhead.

West Sound Candle Supply provides a cost calculator for making candles in large batches. The total retail profit varies depending on the cost of materials and the number of candles produced.

Penn & Beech Candle Co. says that the cost of making a candle varies depending on the glass or product chosen, starting at $22. The company offers an in-store experience where customers can create their custom fragrance and candle.

Equipment and Tool Costs

You’ll also need some basic equipment:

• Saucepan or double boiler to melt wax – $10 to $30
• Thermometer to monitor wax temperature – $5 to $15
• Spoons, mixing cups, and pitchers – $10 to $20
• Molding trays or silicone molds – $20 to $40
• Funnel and wick stick or bar – $5 to $15

Plan on spending around $50 to $100 total for these basic candle making tools and supplies for a starter home workshop.

Factors Affecting Total Candle Making Costs

Several factors affect overall pricing when trying to price your candles:

1. Amount of candles being produced at once
2. Types of wax, wicks, scents used
3. Complexity of scent mixing
4. Pricing and quality of ingredients/supplies
5. Amount of custom packaging
6. Shipping costs for products
7. Learning curve if new to candle making

Making candles as gifts will cost less than large batch production. And you can save by buying supplies in bulk.

Tips to Save Money When Making Candles

If you’re looking to cut costs, try these money-saving tips:

Buy wax, wicks, and jars in bulk online for volume discounts.

You might also like our articles about the cost of making home decorations for Easter or Christmas.

Use cheaper containers like canning jars or repurposed glass.

Opt for lower cost paraffin or soy wax instead of pricier beeswax.

Mix your own scent blends instead of premade fragrance oils.

Skip expensive dyes – try natural colorants like herbs instead.

Reuse scrap wax chunks and wick trimmings when possible.

Make your own wick tabs and trays instead of buying mold kits.

Share bulk supply orders with other DIY candle makers.

With some smart shopping and creativity, you can equip your own candle workshop on a budget.

Final Words on Candle Prices

From ingredients to tools, plan to invest around $100-$250 to make your first full batch of 12-24 candles. Exact totals depend on quantities, quality of supplies, types of wax and scents, and more. With the right budgeting and cost-cutting steps, candle making can be an affordable and gratifying DIY project.

So grab your wax, wicks, and jars – it’s time to start crafting beautiful candles and enjoy your handmade glow!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it expensive to make your own candles?

Making candles at home can save you money compared to buying them in stores. For example, a large 22-ounce candle from Yankee Candle costs about $30.

But if you spent $30 on supplies to make your own Yankee-style candle, you could make over 3 pounds of candle! That means each 22-ounce homemade candle would only cost around $9.

Is candle making profitable?

The candle making business can be profitable if you sell your homemade candles. Soy candle wax is getting more popular because it burns slowly, holds scent well, and is better for the environment, increasing your profit margin per candle while also offering your customer base environmental reasons to buy. The candle business keeps growing and has many loyal customers. So there’s room for homemade candle makers to find buyers, as long as they have a solid business plan.

What is a reasonable price for a candle?

For basic candles sold in big stores, $7 to $11. For middle-quality candles in gift shops, $13 to $18. And for fancy high-end candles, $19 to $28 or more.

Why are homemade candles so expensive?

Making candles takes more time and care when done by hand. The candle supplier puts love into each unique candle, so it deserves a higher price.