Beginner·11 min read

Candle Making Supplies List: Everything You Need to Get Started (2026)

Whether you're making candles as a hobby or launching a business, you need the right supplies. This is the complete, no-fluff list of everything you need — organized by category with estimated costs.

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1. Wax — The Foundation

Wax is your biggest recurring expense and the single most important material choice you'll make. Different waxes have different melting points, scent throw, and price points.

Types of Candle Wax

  • Soy wax (464, 444) — Most popular for beginners. Clean burn, good scent throw. ~$2–3/lb
  • Coconut wax — Premium feel, excellent scent throw. ~$4–6/lb
  • Paraffin wax — Cheapest option, strongest scent throw. ~$1.50–2.50/lb
  • Coconut-soy blends — Best of both worlds. ~$3–5/lb
  • Beeswax — Natural honey scent, expensive. ~$8–15/lb

For beginners: Start with soy wax 464. It's forgiving, works well in containers, and most online tutorials use it. Buy 10 lbs to start (~$25).

Not sure which wax is right for you? Read our Soy vs Coconut vs Paraffin Wax comparison.

2. Fragrance Oils

Fragrance oil is what makes your candle smell good. Most candle makers use a 6–10% fragrance load (meaning 6–10% of the total candle weight is fragrance oil).

What You Need

  • Fragrance oils — Candle-safe, skin-safe options from reputable suppliers. ~$8–15 per 4oz bottle
  • Start with 3–5 scents — Don't buy 20 scents at once. Test a few, perfect them
  • Essential oils — Optional alternative, but weaker scent throw and more expensive

Estimated starter cost: 5 fragrance oils × $10 = ~$50

Use our fragrance load calculator to figure out exactly how much fragrance oil you need per candle. See also: best selling candle scents in 2026.

3. Wicks

The right wick makes or breaks your candle. Too small = tunneling. Too large = sooting and fast burn. You'll need to test multiple wick sizes for each container and wax combo.

Types

  • Cotton core wicks (CD, ECO series) — Most common for soy. Start here
  • Wood wicks — Aesthetic crackling sound, harder to master
  • Zinc/paper core wicks — Used more for votives and pillars

What to Buy

  • Wick sampler pack — Get 3–4 sizes to test. ~$10–15
  • Wick stickers — Adhesive dots to center the wick. ~$5 for 100
  • Wick centering bars — Hold the wick straight while wax cools. ~$5–10

Check our wick size guide to match wick size to your container diameter.

4. Containers & Jars

For container candles (the most popular type), you need heat-safe vessels. Not every pretty jar is safe for candles.

Options

  • Glass jars — Most popular. Straight-sided or tumbler style. ~$1–3 each in bulk
  • Tin containers — Cheap, travel-friendly. ~$0.75–1.50 each
  • Ceramic vessels — Premium feel. ~$3–8 each
  • Concrete/cement — Trendy. Make your own or buy blanks

Starter buy: 12 jars × ~$2 = ~$24. Get all the same size to simplify testing.

Not sure how much wax fits your jar? Use our container volume calculator.

5. Dye & Color (Optional)

Color is optional — many successful brands sell natural, undyed candles. But if you want color:

  • Liquid candle dye — Easiest to use. A few drops per pound. ~$5–8 per bottle
  • Dye blocks/chips — More precise color control. ~$8–12 for a set
  • Mica powder — For container candles only (not for burning, decorative tops). ~$10 for a set

Do NOT use: Crayons, food coloring, or craft paint. They clog wicks and are fire hazards.

6. Equipment & Tools

This is the one-time investment that makes candle making possible. Most of these you may already own.

Essential (Must Have)

  • Double boiler or pouring pot — For melting wax safely. ~$15–25
  • Thermometer — Infrared or candy thermometer. Temperature matters! ~$10–15
  • Kitchen scale — Weigh wax and fragrance by weight, not volume. ~$10–15
  • Stirring utensil — Silicone spatula or stainless steel spoon. ~$5
  • Heat gun or hair dryer — For smoothing tops and fixing sinkholes. ~$15–25

Nice to Have

  • Wick trimmer — Cleaner cuts than scissors. ~$8
  • Pouring pitcher (large) — If making big batches. ~$20
  • Wax melter — Electric, no double-boiler needed. ~$40–80 (upgrade later)
  • Workspace protection — Old newspaper, silicone mat, or parchment paper

See our candle making temperature guide for when to add fragrance and when to pour.

7. Labels & Packaging

If you're selling candles, labels aren't optional — they're legally required in the US.

Required on Labels

  • Product name and net weight
  • Your business name and address
  • Fire safety warning (ASTM F2058 compliant)
  • Burn instructions

What to Buy

  • Label printer — Rollo or Brother. ~$100–200 (or use Avery labels + inkjet)
  • Label stock — Waterproof/oil-resistant recommended. ~$15–30 for 100
  • Lids — Metal or bamboo lids for your jars. ~$0.50–2 each
  • Boxes — Optional for gift sets or shipping. ~$1–3 each

Full legal requirements: Candle Label Requirements guide.

8. Safety Supplies

You're working with hot wax (180°F+) and open flames. Basic safety is non-negotiable.

  • Fire extinguisher — Keep one in your workspace. ~$20
  • Heat-resistant gloves — For handling hot containers. ~$10
  • Safety glasses — Optional but smart when pouring. ~$5
  • Ventilation — Work in a well-ventilated area, especially with fragrance oils
  • First aid kit — For minor wax burns. ~$10

9. Total Startup Cost Estimate

Here's what a realistic beginner setup costs:

CategoryEstimated Cost
Wax (10 lbs soy)$25
Fragrance oils (5 scents)$50
Wicks + stickers + centering bars$25
Containers (12 jars)$24
Equipment (pouring pot, thermometer, scale)$50
Dye (optional)$10
Safety supplies$30
Total Starter Kit~$214

That's enough to make approximately 12–15 candles. If you sell them at $20–25 each, you could recover your startup cost with your first batch.

Want a more detailed cost breakdown? Try our startup cost calculator or read How Much Does It Cost to Make a Candle?

10. Where to Buy Candle Making Supplies

The big candle supply companies all ship nationwide. Here are the most popular:

  • CandleScience — Best for beginners. Great starter kits, clear instructions, excellent quality
  • Lone Star Candle Supply — Competitive pricing, huge fragrance oil selection
  • Nature's Garden — Affordable fragrances, frequent sales
  • Flaming Candle — Budget-friendly wax and bulk supplies
  • Aztec Candle — Good coconut wax and blends
  • Amazon — Convenient for equipment (thermometers, scales, heat guns)

Pro tip: Buy fragrance oils from candle-specific suppliers (not Amazon). Quality varies wildly and cheap fragrance oils often have weak scent throw.

Detailed supplier comparison: Best Candle Wax Suppliers Compared.

What NOT to Buy Yet

Don't overbuy on day one. Skip these until you've made at least 50 candles:

  • Electric wax melter — Nice but not necessary. A double boiler works fine
  • Label printer — Use Avery labels or a local print shop first
  • 20+ fragrance oils — Master 3–5 scents before expanding
  • Bulk wax (50+ lbs) — Wait until you know which wax you prefer
  • Fancy packaging — Perfect your candle first, package it later

Track Your Supplies Like a Pro

Once you start buying supplies, tracking costs becomes critical — especially if you want to price your candles profitably. Every jar, every ounce of wax, every wick adds to your cost of goods sold (COGS).

Spreadsheets work at first, but they get messy fast. That's exactly why we built WickSuite — to help candle makers track supplies, calculate costs, and manage inventory without the spreadsheet chaos.

Ready to track your candle supplies?

WickSuite tracks your supplies, calculates COGS automatically, and alerts you when stock is low. Free plan included — no credit card required.

Try WickSuite Free →Use Free Supplies Checklist

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