How to get different colours and shades of candles

You will have noticed that there are many colours of candles available in the shops, candle makers create candles in many different colours, and even beginners can make colourful candles. That means you can do it too and we'll tell you how.

Monochrome candles

Monochrome candles are, in a way, easy to make. There are two ways to do it - by colouring the outside only, leaving the natural wax colour inside the candle, or by colouring the whole candle.

Painting the outside of the candle only

Special candle varnishes are used to paint the outside of the candle. These are applied evenly to the candle with a brush once it has cooled and the varnish is allowed to dry.

A clear varnish is also available to give the candle a shine. Transparent varnish can also be applied to candles that have been painted using other methods.

Colouring candles throughout

This uses special candle dyes, and synthetic colour pigments available in granular or liquid form. The manufacturer always specifies the proportions in which the dye should be used. Usually, the amount of dye is very small concerning the amount of wax, e.g. 1g dye to 1kg wax. It should be noted that the intensity of the colour may vary depending on the wax used. Some waxes are excellent for painting, while others may dissolve unevenly and leave patches (e.g. Kerax 4130).

To colour a candle, the wax must be prepared at the required temperature (70 degrees Celsius is recommended, some waxes may be slightly higher, but no higher than 80 degrees Celsius) and the colour pigments must be thoroughly mixed into the wax. The coloured wax is then poured into moulds or containers, the wick is inserted and the wax is left to harden to see the final result.

In school, art lessons teach how different colours make other colours. It is also possible to mix candle colours together and get a completely different shade. There are various examples of mixing colours on the internet - in what proportions to mix colours. This is also a great way to get new colours if you only have a few at home and want something completely different.

Multicoloured candles

Sometimes the colour pigments don't blend into the wax well enough, so the candles turn out mottled, but what if this defect could be called an effect? There are lots of different ways to play with colours, here are some ideas:

• Marble effect - this is neither easy nor difficult to achieve, rather a game of luck, the paint is stirred into the wax so that uneven areas of colour are formed, streaks;
• Layering of colours - works best for container candles, form a candle by layering different coloured waxes, each new coat of colour poured over everything then the previous one has hardened. The colours can be layered in different ways, including asymmetrically slashing the tray so that the wax hardens in one corner, the next layer hardens in the other corner, etc.
• Palm wax crystallisation effect - using our BWC range of palm waxes, it is possible to achieve different ornaments as the wax hardens. The ornament is formed throughout the structure of the candle.

Contour colours and decors

When experimentation has gone so far that monochrome, layered and blemish-effect candles are not enough, you can continue to play with candle dyes. Dry flowers, coffee beans, dried fruit and berries are all useful for candle decoration. These can be glued on and incorporated into the walls of the containers. However, care must be taken to ensure that these decorations do not ignite when the candle burns.
More unique candles can be created using outline colours. A candle outline pen is a creamy wax colour that can be drawn on just like a pen. And you can do it in different ways - straight onto the finished candle, or draw on the film and when the drawing has hardened, it is removed from the film and stuck to the candle wall. This is a fantastic way to create candles like no other, and the process is fun and very creative. Read more about using outline colours in this article.

Where to buy?

Well, time to play and experiment. Try different colouring techniques! Here you can buy paints from the most popular and highest quality manufacturers.

Buy:
Candle colour pigments

Candle varnishes

Candle liners

Candle decor

Palm wax with crystallisation effect