Essential Considerations Before Buying Candle-Making Moulds
Candles come in different shapes and sizes. Some come in jars, while others are sold naked with basic or intricate shapes and patterns. Candles made in jars are simple to produce because all you need to do is fill a container with molten wax and let it cool. However, you need moulds if you want candles with unique patterns and shapes. The most common candle-making moulds are metallic or silicone. This post highlights essential considerations when purchasing candle-making supplies like moulds.
Scented/Dyed or Plain Candles
The type of candles you plan to produce also determines the kind of mould to buy. Scented or dyed candles are considered luxury products and tend to attract a higher price than plain candles. However, you should stay away from silicone moulds when making scented or dyed candle wax. The reason is that candle dye and fragrance can easily seep into silicone, polluting a mould. When you pour molten wax with a different scent and colour in the same mould, the candles will look and smell different because of degradation. Therefore, only use metal moulds for scented or dyed candles and silicone for plain candles. However, you can still use silicone moulds for aromatic or coloured candles if you only intend to make candles of the same fragrance and colour.
Design Complexity
The candle design you are going for also dictates your choice of mould. For example, if you want to make candles in the shape of a rose flower, you need a mould in the exact intricate shape of a rose flower. However, it is improbable that you will find a metallic mould with such complex designs. On the other hand, silicone moulds come in many intricate designs depending on your needs. It is because silicone moulds take the form of an actual prototype during manufacturing. However, if you want candles with basic shapes, such as a Christmas tree, a heart or a star, metal moulds will suffice.
Ease of Removal
It is advisable to leave candle wax in moulds to cool and dry for the best results. Once your candles are dry, it is time to remove them from their moulds, which is where things can get tricky, particularly if you are not experienced in candle making. For example, metal moulds have a sealer and sealing putty at the bottom, and you must remove it before sliding a candle out. At times, a candle can stick to the insides of a mould, requiring heating of the sides for the candle to slide out. Therefore, the technique can take a bit of time; hence, it is only suitable when making few candles. With a silicone mould, a slit down the side makes for easy candle removal; therefore, the mould is best suited for large candle batches.
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