Materials

To make candles you need wax and wick. Both are available from craft shops or specialist commercial chemical suppliers. If you are going to make candles at home just for fun then supplies obtainable from craft shops should be adequate, but if you would like to make candles for the purpose of generating income then it is best to find chemical companies or spesialist candle making suppliers as you will need bigger quantities and better prices.

There is a range of different waxes available, each used for different purposes. Wicks are more straightforward, as most are manufactured to an internationally recognized set of sizes and standards, however there are some wicks that are of a sub standard and they are usually to blame for candles that smoke excessively.

To make coloured or scented candles, specially prepared wax dyes and perfumes are needed, although aromatherapy and some synthetic fragrant oils can be used as well. Pigment dyes, in my opinion, provides far better quality colours than the traditional powder dyes and is similar
to those used in the manufacture of wax crayons.