When acquiring the supplies to make your own candles, understanding the prices of things will be crucial. Not only will it allow you to estimate how much you can budget, but also how many candles you can make. This will be particularly useful if you plan on selling your homemade candles to the public.
Whether for your own personal use or to put out for sale, a pound of candle wax will vary greatly depending on the type of wax you’re going to use, the form in which you buy it and the pricing of the supplier. In general and on average, a pound of candle wax costs $5 to $10.
But before you jump onto the bandwagon and purchase the first lowest price you find, you have to check to make sure it’s pure. This will be particularly poignant if you want to be eco-conscious and/or vegan in the production of candles.
How Much Is a Pound of Candle Wax?
Depending on your supplier and the form in which you buy the wax, a pound of candle wax can cost as little as $5 per pound or be as much as $50. Solid bricks are much more cost effective than getting bars, chips or pellets.
The problem with bricks and bars is that you are going to have to cut and break the wax before you use it. Pellets and chips are much easier to measure out and far less messy. But, for a bargain buy, go with the bricks. If you want to sell the candles, this will be the best way to offer your customers an inexpensive product.
How Much Does Wax Cost for Candles?
There are many different waxes out there that you can use to make candles. Although most will cost less than $10 for a pound, there are some that are very pricey and can cost as much as $20 or even $50 per pound. Of course, this is going to depend on the quality of the wax, how a manufacturer sources it and the method used in producing it.
The type of wax you use for candles will make all the difference with cost and how long it burns. There are a plethora of waxes available for candle making that you should consider:
Beeswax
Beeswax is one of the most popular and readily available waxes to use for making candles. It’s generally the least expensive and starts at around $5. But there are some suppliers will sell a pound for as little as $3. It does burn a little fast and you may have to make several batches within a month depending on how frequently you burn them.
To check the current price and availability of Beeswax, click here to view the listing on Amazon.
Soy Wax
Soy wax is another inexpensive and easily obtainable candle wax. Most suppliers start their pricing at around $5 per pound. But this does tend to burn a little faster than beeswax. You could make your own proprietary blend with a more expensive wax to create a candle that lasts longer.
To check the current price and availability of Soy Wax, click here to view the listing on Amazon.
Coconut Wax
Coconut wax is a good and stable wax that has a medium-length burn and costs around $9 for one pound. However, this is difficult to locate as a regular source and is not as available as beeswax or soy wax.
Carnauba Wax
Carnauba wax is one of the hardest and longest burning waxes you can find. But, it’s also one of the most expensive. One pound costs between $15 and $20.
To check the current price and availability of Carnauba Wax, click here to view the listing on Amazon.
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is a dream to burn and although it’s soft, it burns for a considerable amount of time. If you can locate a good supplier, you can find it for as little as $8 per pound but expect to pay $10 on average.
To check the current price and availability of Paraffin Wax, click here to view the listing on Amazon.
Gel Wax
Gel Wax is usually a proprietary blend and comprises various things depending on the manufacturer. The price of this will range greatly because of whatever components went into the production of the wax. Some can cost as little as $8 per pound but others can be as much as $20.
To check the current price and availability of Gel Wax, click here to view the listing on Amazon.
How Much Does a Pound of Soy Wax Cost?
Soy wax, like beeswax, is one of the more cost effective and readily available waxes with which to make candles. If you can find a solid, trustworthy supplier, you can find a pound of soy wax for as little as $5.
But, it’s imperative that you do a bit of background research on what comprises the soy wax when it’s that inexpensive. Some manufacturers may call it soy wax, but it’s actually a proprietary blend that may include plastic.
Is Making Candles Cheaper Than Buying?
Making candles can be cheaper than buying them but this is going to depend on many factors. If you only want basic candles for practical use at home, making candles may very well be cheaper. It will be more convenient too because you can make them as you need them.
But, if you’re going to make fancy candles complete with dried herbs and fragrance, then making them yourself may end up costing more than if you buy them. Of course, this will involve hunting down the best prices you can find for your supplies and ingredients. The hunt alone can be time consuming.
Initial Costs
Expect to make an initial investment of around $20 for supplies. This will include wicks, waxes, a double boiler, wax paper, paper towels, tins and containers. That is, unless you plan on making tapers. In this case you won’t need a container.
But, you may want to consider purchasing other things like molds, double-sided stickers, funnels and drying racks. If you want to make the candles scented and/or herbal, you’ll also have to purchase fragrance oils, essential oils and dried herbs.
Estimating ; Planning
All this can end up costing in the range of $50 or more. However, many of these items you’ll only have to buy once. For instance, the double boiler, drying rack and funnels will only need replacement when they become damaged after years of use.
You will have to replenish things like the base wax, wicks, wax paper, paper toweling, tins, containers, essential oils, fragrance and herbs. This is why it’s a good idea to pay close attention to how much of these things you use in one candle-making session and how often you make them. This way you can budget appropriately and save money too.
Final Thoughts
Making your own candles does take a little bit of money, so expect to pay $5 at the very least for a pound of wax. But the type of wax you get along with the form it comes in will be major factors in how much a pound of candle wax will cost.
As a reference point, beeswax and soy wax are going to be less expensive than carnauba or paraffin wax. However, more expensive waxes do create a better and longer burning candle. This means you won’t have to make them nearly as often.
Regardless, you want to check with your supplier and/or manufacturer to ensure what they promote is the real deal and not some hidden proprietary blend. Some manufacturers sneak plastic into their wax blends to make it cost-effective.