Hi Joanne, I simply place the wick (and tab) in the cup, pour in enough wax to cover the wick tab base. Reposition the wick tab to where I want it (it always moves when I pour the wax in). Leave it for a couple of minutes to set, straighten the wick and pour in more wax. I pour in 3 stages: firstly to set the wick tab, secondly to almost fill the cup, and finally to fill the shrinkage around the wick. HTH. Mozzie