The look of a candle can be just as important as how good it smells, how long it burns, or how it’s made. We all want to create candles that we can be proud to display in our home. For many candlemakers, that means adding color to the candle wax. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re starting out with colored candles.
Using the Right Type of Color
At American Soy Organics, we recommend using liquid dyes. They’re easier to measure than solid dyes since they are measured by number of drops instead of by weight. But be sure to use the proper type of liquid dye: Liquid food coloring (the kind you find at the grocery store) is far less vibrant than wax-specific dyes. More importantly, that type of food coloring is water-based, meaning it will not blend well with your fragrance oils.
Experimentation is Key
As with any facet of candlemaking, trial-and-error is the best way to learn what will work for you and how best to get your desired result. No matter what, keep in mind that 17 drops of liquid dye per pound should be the absolute limit.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the color of the dye itself may not be the color of the candle at the end. No matter what you do, you won’t know the true color of the candle until it’s poured and cured. Also note that colors can often turn out more muted with soy wax than with paraffin. So if at first you don’t succeed, try try again!
To Color or Not to Color?
Sometimes the right color is no color at all. Many customers are looking for all-natural options in their home goods and show a preference for the natural color of the wax itself. If that’s the case, but you still want your candle to stand out, you can experiment with a colored or decorated jar or vessel.
Want to get started with the right wax for better candlemaking? Shop Soybeads.com.