Ben Carter
Adding colour to candles is a fun way to personalise your creations and there are several ways to do it. You can use candle dye chips, blocks, or liquid dyes, as well as natural colourants like micas, crayons, and food colouring. However, not all colourants are created equal, and some may not work well with certain types of wax or fragrance oils. It's important to test different colourants and temperatures to find the best results, as adding colourant to wax that is too hot or too cold can affect the final product. With the right tools and techniques, you can create beautifully coloured candles with uniform colouring and intense shades.
Characteristics and considerations for adding colour to candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of colourant | Candle dyes, micas, oxides/pigments, crayons, food colouring |
| Types of dye | Granular (chips/blocks) or liquid |
| Dye application | Add dye when wax is hottest (around 160°-185° F) to ensure it fully melts and blends |
| Liquid dye quantity | 15 ml of dye = up to 1 kg of wax; one drop of dye colours a whole pound of wax |
| Granular dye quantity | One whole chip colours one pound of wax; a block colours 5-50 lbs. of wax |
| Natural mica | Dosage not exceeding 2-3g of mica per 100 grams of wax |
| Fragrance oil | Can affect the colour and chemical makeup of the dye; use oils with higher flash points to reduce hazard |
| UV light sensitivity | Dyes are UV-sensitive; store in shaded areas and use a UV inhibitor to prevent fading |
| Soy dye flakes | Recommended for pastel to medium colours, but can also achieve deep shades |
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What You'll Learn
Using liquid dyes
Adding colour to candles is a great way to personalise your DIY candles. Liquid dyes are a popular choice for colouring candles, offering versatility and precise colour control. They are highly concentrated, and a little goes a long way. Here is a step-by-step guide to using liquid dyes:
Preparing Your Work Area
Before you begin, it is important to prepare your work area. Cover your work surface with a plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any spills. You will also need a heat source, such as a slow cooker or a double boiler, and a container for melting the wax.
Melting the Wax
The next step is to melt your chosen wax. Measure the desired amount of wax pellets or blocks and place them in your melting container. Heat the wax until it reaches a temperature of 185°F (85°C) to 225°F (107°C). Stir the wax gently to avoid creating air bubbles.
Adding the Liquid Dye
Once your wax is fully melted, it's time to add the liquid dye. Start with a small amount of dye, about 1-2 drops per pound of wax. The amount of dye you need will depend on the type of wax and the desired colour intensity. You can always add more dye to achieve a darker shade. Use a pipette to add the liquid dye to the melted wax and stir gently to combine. Be careful not to overload the wax with dye, as it may alter the burn and smell of your candle.
Testing the Colour
To get an accurate idea of the colour, dip a spare candle into the dyed wax and let it dry on a paper towel. This will show you the true colour of the finished candle. If you're happy with the colour, you can proceed to the next step. If you want a darker shade, add more dye, and if it's too dark, add more wax to lighten it.
Pouring and Setting
Once you've achieved the desired colour, it's time to pour the wax into your candle moulds or containers. Be sure to work quickly as the wax will start to cool and thicken. Allow the candles to cool and set completely before removing them from the moulds or containers.
Experimenting with Colours and Waxes
Liquid dyes offer the flexibility to experiment with different colours and types of wax. You can create unique colour combinations by mixing different liquid dyes or even combining liquid dyes with dye chips. Just be sure to test each new colour and wax combination thoroughly, as different waxes and additives can affect the final colour.
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Using granular dyes
Granular dyes, also known as grain dyes, are a great way to add colour to your candles. They can be in the form of chips or powder, depending on their availability and colour. They are compatible with all types of wax and offer rapid setting, combustion without disturbance, and easy conservation for future use.
To use granular dyes, start by melting your wax in a double boiler or slow cooker. The amount of wax you melt will depend on the number of candles you wish to make. For a pound of wax, you will need 0.227g of dye. For a medium shade, use 1/4 teaspoon of dye per pound of wax, and for a dark shade, use 1/2 teaspoon. You can also test the shade of your colour before pouring by dripping some wax onto a piece of paper and letting it cool. This will allow you to adjust the colour as needed.
Once your wax is melted, add your granular dye and stir thoroughly. Be careful not to overload the wax with dye, as this may alter the burn and/or smell of your candle. Continue stirring until the colour is evenly distributed throughout the wax. If you are using powdered dye, be sure to mix it thoroughly with the wax to avoid clumping.
Once you are satisfied with the colour, allow the wax to cool to 135-140 °F (57-60 °C). Then, pour the wax into your chosen mould and allow it to harden. You can now enjoy your colourful, customised candle!
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Adding colour to melted wax
Adding colour to candles can be done in several ways, but it is important to remember that not all colourants and dyes are the same. Some common household items like food colouring, crayons, and micas may seem like good options, but they can cause issues with the final product. For example, food colouring will not blend or bind with the wax, and crayons contain insoluble pigments/oxides that are powder colourants added to the wax. Micas are another popular choice for their glitter-like appearance, but they can clog the wick and prevent the candle from burning properly.
To add colour to melted wax, it is recommended to use candle dyes, which can come in the form of chips, blocks, or liquids. These dyes are designed to be compatible with wax and will not affect the performance of your candle. The amount of dye needed will depend on the type of dye and the desired shade. For example, one whole chip of a candle dye chip is enough to colour one pound of wax, while dye blocks can be shaved to adjust the shade. On average, a dye block can colour 5-50 lbs. of wax, so it is important to use it sparingly for lighter shades.
Liquid dyes are also an option and can be added after the wax has fully melted. A little goes a long way with liquid dyes, as one drop is typically enough to colour a whole pound of wax. It is important to note that adding colourant to wax that is too hot or too cold can affect the final product. If the wax is too hot, the colour may not incorporate consistently, and if it is too cold, the colourant may not dissolve completely.
The addition of fragrance oils can also impact the colourant's performance. Fragrance oils with high amounts of vanillin can change the finished hue, and they can also affect the chemical makeup of the colourant. It is recommended to add the fragrance oil first and choose a fragrance oil with a flashpoint between 130°-180° to ensure compatibility with the colourant.
With the right materials and techniques, adding colour to melted wax can be a simple and enjoyable process, allowing you to create beautiful and unique candles.
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Using natural colourants
Natural colourants can be used to add colour to candles, but they may not work as effectively as candle dyes. Natural beeswax candles, for example, offer numerous health benefits compared to store-bought paraffin candles. Aromatic oils and colourants such as powdered or liquid dyes can be used to customize DIY natural candles.
One option for a natural colourant is cochineal dye, which is derived from dried scale insects found on cacti. This dye will turn bright red when mixed with wax. Indigo is another natural colourant option, derived from the leaves and stems of an annual herb in the Polygonaceae family. Indian Indigo will create a dark shade. However, be aware that the colour may turn out darker than expected.
Lina Blue is a plant-based, edible colourant that complies with the standards of the United States, Europe, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It is a natural blue colourant extracted from DIC Spirulina. However, it has low heat resistance and may fade when exposed to heat or light.
When using natural colourants, it is important to first test the shade of your colour. To do this, take a small strip of parchment paper and dip it into the wax, then let it cool. As the wax cools, you will be able to see what the final colour will look like.
It is also important to note that not all natural colourants are suitable for candles. For example, mica is a naturally occurring mineral with a glitter-like reflective quality, but it can clog the wick of a candle. Similarly, food colouring will not blend or bind with wax and will sink to the bottom.
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Mixing colours
Liquid dyes are a practical choice for candle making as they intensify the colour and can be stored for future use. They are also versatile, allowing you to mix colours for unique blends. However, it's important to be cautious when working with liquid dyes as they can affect the scent of your candle. Additionally, natural mica, a popular choice for its glitter-like reflective quality, is not recommended for use with liquid dyes as it can clog the wick when burning.
Granular dyes, also known as grain dyes, offer a rapid setting and easy conservation for future use. They are compatible with all types of wax and come in the form of chips or powder. When using granular dyes, it's important to follow the recommended dosage, which is typically 15 ml of dye per kilogram of wax.
Candle dye chips and blocks are another option for colouring candles. One whole chip is sufficient to colour one pound of wax, while blocks can be shaved to vary the shade and intensity. On average, a dye block can colour 5-50 pounds of wax, so it's important to use them sparingly for lighter shades. Testing is crucial to achieving your desired colour.
When mixing colours, it's important to consider the temperature of the wax. Adding colourant to wax that is too hot or too cold can affect the consistency of the colour and the dissolution of the dye. The ideal temperature range for adding colourant is between 160°-185° F, depending on the type of wax and colourant used.
Additionally, the presence of fragrance oil can impact the timing of adding the colourant. Fragrance oil can affect the chemical makeup of the colourant, so it's important to add the fragrance oil first and ensure compatibility between the products. Extensive research is necessary to achieve the best and safest results.
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Frequently asked questions
You can add colour to candles using granular dyes or liquid dyes. Some common options include candle dye chips or blocks, liquid dye, or natural mica.
The amount of colourant to add depends on the type of colourant and wax being used. For liquid dye, one drop of dye is enough to colour a pound of wax. For candle dye chips, one chip is enough to colour a pound of wax. For natural mica, the dosage should not exceed 2-3g of mica per 100g of wax.
The wax should be fully melted at around 175°-185° F before adding the colourant to ensure the colourant fully incorporates. Liquid dyes can be added any time after the wax has fully melted, but be careful not to go too low or too high with the temperature.
