2 months in..

[jguff330]

So I'm about 2 months into this candle making gig.  I've switched from 464 to 6006 (wanted more hot throw, better colors are the bonus). Switched from ECO to zinc core wicks (ECO's sooted so bad for me, the zincs still soot a decent amount, thinking about testing out some CD).

 

Currently I'm using a presto pot to heat to 180-190, add liquid dye, add FO then immediately pouring into double wicked room temp 16oz jars.  I've read some FO reviews that say they must be heated to 185 or it won't mix right.  At what temp would most FO burn off? I'd like to maybe bump my targeted temp to 185-195.  Current set up gives me virtually no wet spots. maybe 1 out of every 10 in a batch.

 

Current costs are 

16oz	per candle	shipping
scent	$1.25	$0.12
wax	$1.34	$0.00
jar w lid	$1.30	$0.50
dye	$0.05	$0.00
wick	$0.10	$0.01
logo	$0.20	$0.00
label	$0.14	$0.00
Totals	$4.38	$0.63
Grand Total:	$5.01

 

I'm happy with $5 per candle. that jar shipping cost is killer though.  Haven't found much better (using jarstore now).  The wax is a huge help because bulkapothocary is a 15 min drive for me. I got the logos printed all of one artwork, then I print a white on clear label from a label maker for the scent name. 

 

Finished product...

 

 

[Trappeur]

Wonderful job costing out your candles!  They look really great.  Wick placements look great too.  As far as the wet spots  go, should you get some, I wouldn't worry about it.  Your label is big enough you can cover any wet spots and your eyes are gravitated to the label and not to any wet spots.  They are just the nature of the beast, so if you get some, don't even worry about them.  The best candles on the market have them.  One little thing I noticed is it looks like you poured the red colored wax over the wick.  Me personally if you are going to do any selling of the candles I would leave the wicks natural with no overpour of the wax.  Just looks like a more finished candle.  Boy if you can drive to a supplier for stock, that is a plus....for sure.  The cost of your jar is pretty much a good price.  Everything looks just wonderful....Check out too Flaming for those jars and lids as they carry them.  If you order 4 or more cases of course the shipping is better.  They are out of stock on the lids, but maybe you can get a little better price....just a thought.  There was a member here who used 6006 wicks and she swore by premiers, so you could try them out as a suggestion.  

 

Trappeur

[Valmek]

I'm a beginner in all this, I haven't even poured my first wax yet, been figuring out containers to use. I found however that the Wal-Mart closest to me had some very nice jars with lids (not the widely used Ball Jars) for half the cost of anything I found online, with no shipping cost, and they even looked really nice. They be around $0.70 a jar for me. I don't know if you've already looked into nearby stores but thought I'd share my experience so far.

[kandlekrazy]

Nice!!  I like the look of your label.  Not sure about weight but based on what it looks like they would sell here between $24-$30 ea.  Different areas may be more or less just thought I'd throw that out there since you figured your cost out.

[Jcandleattic]

20 hours ago, jguff330 said:

So I'm about 2 months into this candle making gig.  I've switched from 464 to 6006 (wanted more hot throw, better colors are the bonus). Switched from ECO to zinc core wicks (ECO's sooted so bad for me, the zincs still soot a decent amount, thinking about testing out some CD).

 

Currently I'm using a presto pot to heat to 180-190, add liquid dye, add FO then immediately pouring into double wicked room temp 16oz jars.  I've read some FO reviews that say they must be heated to 185 or it won't mix right.  At what temp would most FO burn off? I'd like to maybe bump my targeted temp to 185-195.  Current set up gives me virtually no wet spots. maybe 1 out of every 10 in a batch.

I'm happy with $5 per candle. that jar shipping cost is killer though.  Haven't found much better (using jarstore now).  The wax is a huge help because bulkapothocary is a 15 min drive for me. I got the logos printed all of one artwork, then I print a white on clear label from a label maker for the scent name. 

 

You would have to have your wax on high heat for several hours for it to "burn off" upping your temp to 185-195 to add your FO is not going to have a significant impact. 

 

Wet spots are a nature of candlemaking, and even if you can get rid of them, or prevent them initially, when the candle goes through a temp change they will start to appear. It just is what it is. 

The only thing about your labels I see that is missing is the net weight of the product. 

 

They look good. Very classy. 

[jguff330]

On 12/29/2017 at 4:53 AM, Trappeur said:

Wonderful job costing out your candles!  They look really great.  Wick placements look great too.  As far as the wet spots  go, should you get some, I wouldn't worry about it.  Your label is big enough you can cover any wet spots and your eyes are gravitated to the label and not to any wet spots.  They are just the nature of the beast, so if you get some, don't even worry about them.  The best candles on the market have them.  One little thing I noticed is it looks like you poured the red colored wax over the wick.  Me personally if you are going to do any selling of the candles I would leave the wicks natural with no overpour of the wax.  Just looks like a more finished candle.  Boy if you can drive to a supplier for stock, that is a plus....for sure.  The cost of your jar is pretty much a good price.  Everything looks just wonderful....Check out too Flaming for those jars and lids as they carry them.  If you order 4 or more cases of course the shipping is better.  They are out of stock on the lids, but maybe you can get a little better price....just a thought.  There was a member here who used 6006 wicks and she swore by premiers, so you could try them out as a suggestion.  

 

Trappeur

 

Thanks for all of the feedback.  I know wet spots are normal but I figure it's a bonus if I don't have them. The red candle thing, do you mean that I got wax on the part of the wick that you light? It's from I use a heat gun too smooth out the surface and it splashes around.  Not sure how to avoid it other than a lower setting and taking longer. I'm going to check out the premier wicks soon. thanks!

[jaybee]

I bought an embossing gun from Michaels and it is AWESOME.......it wont splash your wax around like that. You just have to make sure you keep it moving cause it gets HOT!!!