Date: July 16, 2016

Title of Activity: Candle Making

1. Objectives of the Activity:

1. To produce candles using paraffin wax as main component.

2. To learn the basic principles of candle-making.
3. To observe good safety practice in handling materials during the candle-making
process.

2. Historical Background:
Historians believe that the original candle may have been invented by primitive men. They
could have dipped branches in animal fat, producing a reliable source of light. As far back as
3000 BC, dish-shaped candles were found on the island of Crete. Numerous references to the use
of candles were dated at the time before Christ was born. King Solomon, after building the
temple, used ten candle sticks to light up the structure. Candles from then on were used to tell
time. (Anonymous, Candle, 2016)

In 1824, Frenchman Jean-Jacques Cambaraceres introduced new materials for the

candle making process. He introduced an important refinement in wick technology with
the plaited wick. Twisted or plaited cotton still makes up most wicks today. The method
for candle making was done by clipping method. Wicks out of dried rushes were
repeatedly dipped in molten fat until fat sticks to the wick at desired thickness. This
simple process turned large-scale after 1834 when Joseph Morgan introduced the first
mass-production candlemaking machine. Today, mass-production machines are modified
with speed, accuracy, and finished quality through mechanism is similar to Morgans
machine. (Anonymous, Candle, 2016)

3. Theoretical Background:

Raw Materials:
The types of wax used in the construction of candles have changed greatly during the
past few centuries. Today, substances are often mixed together to create stronger candles
with higher melting points. In the United States, standard commercial candles usually
contain 60 percent paraffin, 35 percent stearic acid, and 5 percent beeswax. Some candles
contain small amounts of candelilla or carnauba waxes (from the carnauba palm) to
regulate the softening or melting point of the finished wax. The wick is made of a high
grade of cotton or linen. The material is woven (or braided) so that it will burn in one
direction and will curl so that its end remains in the candle flame's oxidizing zone for
even and intense burning. Often, wire-core wicks are used. (Anonymous, Candle, 2016)
The Manufacturing Process:
The manufacturing of candles consists of three steps: preparation of the wicking,
preparation of the wax base, and continuous molding or extrusion of the finished candles.

Making the wick

The cotton or linen wicks are braided and then treated with chemicals or inorganic salt
solutions so that they bend at a 90 degree angle when burning. This angle allows the end
to remain in the outer mantle of the flame and causes it to be shortened naturally. If the
wick is not treated, it will burn too quickly and the flame will be extinguished by the
melted wax. However, if the wick burns too slowly, then the amount of exposed wick
increases and the candle becomes dangerous.

Preparing the wax base

First, the wax is heated and melted into a clear, near-liquid state in huge metal kettles.
Wax melted by direct flame can become dark-colored or can contain small pieces of
carbon char. Next, the molten wax must be carefully filtered to remove impurities that
may interfere with the burning process. Any desired perfumes and dyes are added at this
time.
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Molding the candle

Prior to the pouring of the wax, the wick is pulled through the tip of the mold. The
molds, which are made of tin, have polished interior surfaces and are slightly tapered for
easier ejection of the finished candle.
The wax is cooled to slightly above its melting point and poured into a molding table
located above the molds. The wax then works its way into each mold; the molds are preheated so the wax will flow evenly into them. After the wax is poured, a jacket around
each mold is filled with cold water to speed up the solidification process. Once the wax
has solidified, the finished candles are pulled upwards out of the molds. The wicks are
snipped, and excess wax is trimmed, collected and re-used. (Anonymous, Candle, 2016)

4. Materials needed:

1 kg paraffin wax
a few drops of scented wax dye, candle scents or first scented oil
100 g stearin (10% of quantity of wax)

5. Equipment/Apparatuses needed:

double boiler
spoon
primed wick
barbecue stick as wicking needle
measuring jug
weighing scale
assorted candle molds
wax thermometer
scissors
laddle
stirring rod
hot plate

6. Definition of Terms:

Burn rate:
The amount of wax consumed per hour in grams.
Container candle:
Any candle poured directly into the container from which it will be burned.
Core:
Refers to the interior of a candle.
Cure:
To allow a candle to set, or age, to help enhance the fragrance.
Double boiler:
Two nested pans with water in the lower one, designed to allow slow, even heating.
Dye:
Colorants that are used to give color to wax.
Essential oil
An oil derived from a natural substance (plant material, flowers, leaves, wood, grass)
Fragrance oil
A blend of synthetic and/or natural components used to create scented oil.
Mold:
A form used to create a free standing candle. They are usually made of metal.
Paraffin Wax:
Made from refined petroleum; most commonly used wax in candle making.
Primed Wick:
Term used when referring to wicking; meaning coated with wax.
Wick:
Material that delivers fuel to the flame in a candle.
(Lone Star Candle Supply, Inc., 2013 )
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7. Procedure:
1. English Version:
Pre Lab Activities:
1. Prepare all the materials needed ahead.
In- Lab Activities:
1. Prepare the molds by threading a primed wick through the hole in the base.
2. Tie a wick around a barbecue stick to hold it firmly at the top of the mold.
3. Pull the other end of the wick until it is taut and secure using an adhesive.
4. In the double boiler, melt the stearin then add the wax. Melt.
5. Add the dye and a few drops of scent or oil. Stir the mixture. When everything is thoroughly
mixed, it is ready to laddle into the mold.
6. Carefully laddle or pour the wax into the mold, leaving a gap of about 1 cm at the top.
7. When the wax has settled for a couple of minutes, tap the side of the mold to get rid of any air
bubbles. Let the candle cool, reheat the remaining wax and top up the mold.
8. Let the wax cool completely.
Post lab Activities:
1. Remove the candle from the mold.
2. Trim the excess wax.
3. Label the finished product.

2. Cebuano Version:
Pre Lab Activities:

1. Prepare all the materials needed ahead.

In- Lab Activities:
1. Prepare the molds by threading a primed wick through the hole in the base.
2. Tie a wick around a barbecue stick to hold it firmly at the top of the mold.
3. Pull the other end of the wick until it is taut and secure using an adhesive.
4. In the double boiler, melt the stearin then add the wax. Melt.
5. Add the dye and a few drops of scent or oil. Stir the mixture. When everything is thoroughly
mixed, it is ready to laddle into the mold.
6. Carefully laddle or pour the wax into the mold, leaving a gap of about 1 cm at the top.
7. When the wax has settled for a couple of minutes, tap the side of the mold to get rid of any air
bubbles. Let the candle cool, reheat the remaining wax and top up the mold.
8. Let the wax cool completely.
Post lab Activities:
1. Remove the candle from the mold.
2. Trim the excess wax.
3. Label the finished product.

8. Schematic Diagram of the Procedure:

1 kg Paraffin Wax (Size-Reduced) Double Boiler
100 g Stearic acid
(60 80oC)

2 drops fragrance Oil

Dye/Colorant

Wax Mixture (Minimally Cooled)

Candle Mold

Candle form (completely c

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Packaging for Candle

SCENTED
Fig. 1 Schematic Diagram of Candle Making

9. Product Characteristics and Applications:

Paraffin (mineral) waxes make better scented candles, in so far as they will smell
stronger, color better and are easier to wick. This is why most luxury brands still use
paraffin wax - they have not mixed a gap in the market; they choose to use paraffin wax
because it makes great smelling candles. (Duncan, 2016)
As natural waxes are becoming increasingly popular, paraffin wax remains the natural
choice for most manufacturers and brand owners. In addition, paraffin wax is much easier
to use than vegetable wax, so it is the natural choice for beginners.
The paraffin candle will burn slowly and cleanly and has a number of advantages over
vegetable waxes. It blends well with most fragrances and produces significantly greater
scent throw than an equivalently sized vegetable wax candles. (,Anonymous, Paraffin
Wax, 2016)

8. Marketing Strategy:

When starting out, it would be best to serve local accounts such as small gift store,
convenient shop and even furniture store. These venues are always s good starting point.
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These are some strategies for greater profit:

Keep your material costs under control.

The capital must be lesser than the price for better profit. However, materials like
scented oils are costly and cost more than the wax itself. Scents can be extracted from
nature.

A well-designed website.

Websites are a good form of endorsement. This can attract customers and most big
costumers have one.

Proper branding is also important.

Hiring a professional to design a logo is a matter of choice. Make labels for all your
products. Decide a nice name for the product that costumers can always remember.
(Jacobs, 2012)

9. Problems Encountered:

In the process, several factors pertaining to the inefficiency of the product were as
follows:

The candle molds used gave the candles an uneven surface. The molds used were
of polysterene foam material. Prior to the cooling of the candles, molds were not
attached with wax paper within the container. This would have given the candles a
more even surface.
Candle wax was placed in molds while it was hot. The immediate pouring of
paraffin wax gave the candles a bored (holey) surface on top and air bubbles due
to this made holes in the entire candle.

10. Product Yield/Costing:

Product Yield: 90 %

Summary Expenses:
Materials/Ingredients

Cost

Paraffin Wax (1 kg)

Php 110.00

Essential oils (2 pieces)

Php 70.00

Stearic acid (100 g)

Wick
Barbecue sticks
TOTAL

Php 90.00 (approx.)

Php

5. 00

Php 5.00
Php 280.00

Estimated Selling Price: Php 35.00 per piece x 10 pieces = Php 350.00
Profit: Php 7.00 per piece x 10 pieces = Php 70.00
Conclusions and Recommendations:

Candle making is not hard if you follow the procedures and stick to it. The paraffin
wax must be cut into very small or very thin pieces so that it will be easier and faster to
melt. Large blocks/cubes of wax when melted will take a long time.
The essential oils/scent must be added last, after mixing the dye; otherwise the
fragrance will not last or will only be very faint when it hardens.
Before you put the melted wax into the mold, you must first let it cool a little so that the
middle part of the candle will not leave a hole when it hardens. One way is also is to put the wax
already in the mold in an ice bath. The end result also produces a smooth and blemish-free
candle.

When the basic candle making technique has been mastered, one can advance to
fancier types of candles.

References:

Anonymous. (2013 ). Retrieved July 4, 2016, from Lone Star Candle Supply,
Inc.: (http://www.lonestarcandlesupply.com/candlemaking/resources/glossary-of-terms/
Anonymous. (2010). Selling and Marketing Candles (Revisited). Retrieved July
4, 2016, from Let's Make Candles:
http://www.letsmakecandles.com/market_selling_revisited_303.asp
Anonymous. (2016). Candle. Retrieved July 4, 2016, from How Products are
Made: http://www.madehow.com/Volume1/Candle.html#ixzz4DMDOJ365
Duncan. (2016). Retrieved July 4, 2016, from Candle Shack:
http://www.candle-shack.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/)
Jacobs, L. (2012). Case Study: A Candle Shop. Retrieved July 4, 2016, from
Marketing Creativity:
http://www.marketyourcreativity.com/2012/06/case-study-a-candleshop/

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