Hand Poured Small Batch VS. Big Box Store

I occasionally hear people tell me they can get the same candle at a box store for a lot less money. While that is true, think about what is involved in the manufacturing and marketing of candle companies.

A large manufacturer can keep costs down due to purchasing materials in large bulk quantities. Usually pallets of wax, vessels, etc.. The more you buy, there are discounts to candle makers. They also have automated equipment to manufacture many candles in a short period of time. They may also be overseas using labor that isn't paid fairly. Sub-par fragrances and other materials and even more disturbing, candles aren't tested properly for safety, fragrance strength, heat and flame guidelines which may result in a low quality product. This allows them to sell their candles at prices most people are willing to pay.

On the otherhand, as a small business, I am a newer company established 2023 so I am responsible for all the marketing, branding, labeling, manufacturing every candle myself by hand. I test each candle I create to ensure safety, cold throw, hot throw, safe flame and more... Because I hand pour candles in small batches, I order my wax, fragrances wicks and vessels in small quantities at a premium rate. On top of the cost of materials, I also pay for shipping and handling costs. Then, there is my time making candles. Not to mention, operating costs. (taxes, licenses, website subscriptions, hosting, domain name, listin products, product photography and so much more..)

WHY MY CANDLES COST MORE...

  1. Premium Ingredients:

    • High-Quality Wax: Luxury candles often use superior waxes like soy, beeswax, or a blend that burns cleaner, longer, and more consistently.
    • Refined Fragrances: Unlike generic candles, luxury variants use complex scent profiles derived from high-quality essential oils or bespoke perfume blends.

  2. Artisanal Craftsmanship: Many luxury candles are hand-poured and undergo meticulous crafting processes, ensuring each piece is a work of art.

  3. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Practices: Many high-end brands prioritize sustainability, using ethically-sourced materials and environmentally-friendly production methods.

  4. Limited Editions and Exclusivity: The allure of having something unique adds to the charm. Limited runs and exclusive scent profiles enhance the candle's value.

Here what goes into my process:

First!!! Very important. Testing my candles. This takes several weeks and a lot of materials. Candles must be tested to make sure they are burning safely for my customers. I pour three identical candles. (Same vessel, wax and fragrance) Each candle will have a range of candle sizes which are recommended by the wax manufacturer. After pouring, they MUST cure for 2 weeks before testing the burn. Here are the perameters I use when documenting my testing:

1. VESSEL - deciding on a vessel. Many people think you can use any vessel to make a candle. FALSE! The vessels must be heat resistant. There are many sizes, shapes and styles of candle vessels. 

2. WICK - determining correct wick. This is done by burning each wick and watching for specific flame performance.  

3. FRAGRANCE - determining the strength of fragrance. Every fragrance has a maximum usage rate for candle making. Every wax type has a usage rate maximum. Knowing how strong you want the cold throw   and hot throw helps determine what percentage to start with.

4. WAX - not as easy as it would seem. Every wax needs to be heated to a specific temperature, add fragrance temperature and a specific temperature to pour into the vessel. This takes time and patience. If each step is not heated properly, it can create a failed candle.

Here is what I test for with each candle:

Cold Throw (strength of fragrance while candle is unlit)

Hot Throw  (strength of fragrance while burning in your space)

Flame Activity  (make sure flame is not over an inch or so, not burning uncontrollably, and creates a full melt pool after burning for the first time. Can take up to 4 hours supervised attention) 

Vessel Touch (while candle is buring, the vessel should never get too hot at any point that it can not be touched so as to not cause serious burns or harm)

Once I get my materials, I start by determining how many candles I want to make, which sizes, and design my labels.

5. MAKING MY CANDLES - Now that I have tested and decided on the candle that performed the best, it's time to start production.

I lay out all of my vessels on my work area. I first, wipe the inside of every vessel to remove any debri that may be inside. This allows for clean burning and to be able to attach my wick in the bottom.

Next, I attach the proper sized wick.

I use a melting post to melt my wax. It usually takes about an hour to reach the heat level I need for the wax I use. 

Then, once the wax is heated to my preferred temperature, I pour the requied grams into my mixing pot. I then need to wait for the temperature to drop to my preferred temperature for adding the fragrance. Once I add my fragrance, I stir for at least a minute and then wait to pour into my vessel when the pouring temperature is reached.

6. FUN BUT PATIENT PART - Waiting 14 days for the candle to cure. This process gives time for the wax and the fragrance to meld together which will give the customer a high quality, beautifully scented candle.

I hope this may help you or someone you know to understand what goes into hand poured candles of small businesses. We take time and care into every candle we make to ensure the safest and best quality products. 

To shop my candles, please visit: WWW.HiddenSpringsCandle.com

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