Candle Making Molds Explained

Using candle making molds is one of the most common and versatile ways to make candles. Using a mold, a candle can be made in virtually any shape imaginable. 

Although many different forms can be used for molds, not every hollow form is suitable. Two characteristics need to be considered. Candle makers refer to these concepts as draft and undercut.

Let’s talk about draft first. Draft refers to the degree of taper a mold has. The taper allows the finished candle to slide out of the mold when it has hardened.

Molds with parallel sides also work because wax shrinks enough as it cools to allow it to slide out of the mold.

The other concept is undercutting. An undercut is a protrusion or an irregularity in the side of a candle that would keep it from sliding out. This becomes a factor when using molds to make candles with irregular walls or shapes.

If the form you want to make has undercuts, you can’t use a one-piece solid mold. There are two ways of handling the situation. One approach is to use a mold with tow or more parts that can be separated after the wax has hardened. The other is to use a mold made out of a flexible, stretchable material.

Two-part molds work well for making candles that are symmetrical.  You could also use a flexible mold, but it isn’t required for this type of shape and rigid multi-part molds are more durable. When making a candle with a two-part mold, the candle maker clamps the two halves together, positions the wick, pours the candle, and finally separates the two halves of the mold after the wax has hardened.

As I mentioned, you can also deal with undercutting by using flexible molds, which can be stretched to allow the candle to be removed once it has hardened. Silicone is probably the premium material for making flexible molds, but other materials work almost as well and the less expensive.

A great resource for information on this subject is: Candle Making Molds

While you’re there, be sure to sign up for your free candle making mini-course. You may also want to check out:

Candle Making Wax

I think you’ll be surprised at just how many options there are!

May be the best tip I can give you that will help you save time and money and avoid frustration is to check out Home Candle Making Made Easy

That book will help you almost completely eliminate the learning curve and have you producing flawless candles from your first attempts.