Candle Making Molds
The form, or the shape, of a candle is a huge part of what makes handmade candles beautiful. As soon as an enthusiast or a collector sees a handcrafted candle with a unique shape, he is immediately intrigued. The wax will take on the shape of the mold after it has cooled completely.
Candle making molds come in different sizes, shapes and styles, and are made out of a variety of materials. Choosing the right molds for your candle business is important if you want to become globally competitive. You can make the most elegant designs just by manipulating the shape of the wax using various types of molds.
The most common candle making molds come in geometric shapes. You can buy these molds in bulk if you plan on mass producing your homemade candles. One main thing to consider when choosing molds for creating geometrically shaped candles is symmetry. Triangular molds should produce perfectly formed triangles. The same goes for round, rectangular and square-shaped molds. There are custom molds that you can purchase at a higher price. These are designer molds that will let you create more unique candles. Asking a designer or a metal artisan to create custom molds for you is a given if you want to stand out as a top candle brand.
The Different Types of Candle Making Molds
- Aluminum and Steel
Aluminum molds are used widely by candle makers because they are relatively cheap and readily available. Aluminum can resist extreme temperatures, which means that it won’t get deformed easily even with repeated use. Aluminum molds are widely used in creating votive and pillar candles. Besides aluminum, steel is also a heat-resistant material you can use if you don’t want your candles to come out deformed. Aluminum is more lightweight than steel, and can be stacked together when not in use. - Rubber
Rubber molds are also used by candle makers. It’s easier to remove the wax from the rubber mold after cooling, which makes rubber the material of choice if you don’t want to waste too much effort creating candles that come out chipped, deformed or cracked. The rubber can be stretched to release the candle after the wax has set. The only downside to using rubber for molding is the smell of the candle wax after cooling. The pungent smell of rubber transfers to the candle wax while the wax is hot and the smell lingers even after the wax has cooled, which can affect the quality of your scented candles. - Polyurethane, Latex and Silicon
Polyurethane, latex and silicone molds are used for taper candles and tea lights. These are used to lessen the probability of release lines from forming on your candles. As a result, your candles will have a smoother finish that looks elegant on a formal dining table. Latex spray can be used to create custom molds. All you need to do is spray latex on the inside of a container you want to use as a mold. This is useful for creating specialty candles for special occasions (Christmas, birthdays etc.). - Plastic Molds
Plastic is the most brittle among the candle making mold materials, but it is also the least expensive. There are strong plastic variants that can last for months, but most of the cheaper plastic molds give out after a few sessions.
In summary, get the metal molds for mass producing block, votive and pillar candles. They will last for years if cleaned and stored properly after each use. Rubber candles are great for making unscented candles or the ordinary type of candles meant for religious ceremonies, rituals and processions. Plastic molds are good for practicing your candle making skills. Plastic molds are relatively easy to clean, and suited for home use.
