Wholesale Candle Supplies

Styles of Candle Molds and the Materials Used to Make Them

There are a number of materials that can be used for candle molds. Candle molds made from different materials require different types of care, and some are easier to use than others. There are also various styles of molds used to make candles that come in many shapes and sizes, and it’s also possible to make your own. We’re going to take a look at the different materials that can be used to make candle molds and the styles that these molds can come in while showing you how to care for and properly use them.

Materials Used for Candle Molds

Beginners will probably want to start out with plastic candle molds. Molds made from plastic are usually the least expensive type available, so they’re great for finding out if you’ll want to continue making candles in the future. While plastic candle molds cost less, they are also of a lower quality than most molds and are easier to break because they are brittle and inflexible. However, they are very easy to clean with basic soap and water, and they can last a while if you are careful with them.

When you’re ready to upgrade from plastic candle molds, it’s time to look at ones made from metal. Copper and aluminum are the most common metals used to make candle molds, and both are very durable and will last a long time. While metal candle molds are easy to clean like plastic ones, they have a disadvantage in that they tend to cause the candle to stick to the inside of the mold. This can make the candles difficult to get out, and in some cases you’ll end up damaging the candle before you can retrieve it until you get used to handling them.

A high-quality alternative to metal molds are candle molds made out of glass. Glass molds have a distinct advantage in making it easy to get the candle out once it has cooled because candle wax naturally avoids sticking to glass. While it’s easier to break glass molds when you’re getting the candle out, glass molds are not prone to dents like metal ones. One of the precautions you have to take with a candle mold made from glass is that too much heat can cause cracks in it. If you regulate the temperature of your melting pot well, then you can largely avoid this potential problem.

There are three popular types of rubber molds. Polyurethane is a type of rubber used to create inexpensive, lower quality candle molds that are best for short-term projects. While polyurethane candle molds are flexible, they do not stretch well and they often have an unattractive odor.

Another type of rubber mold is made from silicone. Silicone candle molds are considered by many to be the best type of rubber mold available. This type of candle mold is more expensive than a comparable polyurethane mold, but it’s easier to use because it stretches well. It will also last longer since it is less likely to tear.

The third type of rubber candle mold is made from latex. While latex molds for candles are less rugged than ones made from silicone, you can purchase tubes of latex to easily make your own candle molds. The general process involves applying multiple layers of latex to an object over time and allowing them to dry. When it’s finished, you’ll have a mold made from the object inside of the latex.

The Styles Available for Candle Molds

The most basic type of candle mold is used to make a pillar candle. Pillar candle molds are cylindrical or prism-shaped and are used to create traditional-looking candles that can stand on their own. Pillar candles are excellent for long-lasting decoration and scents. Beginners at candle making should start off with pillar candle molds because they are easy to make and create very functional and beautiful candles, and they rarely damage the candle when you’re retrieving it. Once you get experience at making pillar candles, you should try out other types of more creative candle molds.

Votive candles are small, round candles that were originally designed for religious ceremonies. Votive candle molds generally come as a sheet with room for pouring multiple candles at once since you’ll rarely want to make just a single candle of this type. Some votive candle molds come with optional decorative tops, and this is a great way to add a creative touch to a typically mundane type of candle.

Hurricane candle molds consist of two thin cylinders with one slightly smaller in diameter than the other. Candle wax is poured between the two cylinders to make a tall, thin ring. The idea is that you’ll place a smaller candle in the middle of this ring to create a very beautiful lighting effect. Hurricane candles can be decorated by adding different items or colors, but you have to be careful about making them too dark. If a hurricane candle is too dark, then the desired lighting effect will fail.

Other than these basic types of candle molds, you can find rubber molds in the shape of almost anything you want. Molds of foods, animals, buildings and other objects have all been used to create candles. What you have to really be careful about with candle molds made from special objects is that the insides of the molds will have a lot of uneven edges that are difficult to clean. The irregular surface of the inside of the mold will also cause it to damage easily if you aren’t careful.

To help prevent problems that can occur from the uneven surfaces of customized candle molds, it’s recommended that you use some type of lubricating oil on the mold before pouring the candle wax. This will coat the lining of the candle mold and make it much easier to get the candle out once it cools without damaging either the candle or the mold. By preparing your custom molds in this way, you can make them last longer and produce more candles over time.