Jessie Taylor
Adding colour to white candles can be a fun and creative way to spice up your space. Whether it's to match the holiday season or simply to add some personality to your home, colouring candles can be done in a few simple steps. It's important to note that not all dyes are created equal, and some may not bind well with candle wax. The best option is to use candle dye, which comes in liquid, block, or powder form. You can also use crayons, as they are made of wax and will blend easily. Simply melt your wax, add your chosen dye, and pour the mixture into a mould to set. With some experimentation, you can create beautifully coloured candles to suit any occasion.
Characteristics and Values of Adding Color to White Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candle Type | Old white candles or paraffin wax |
| Method | Melting wax on a stovetop or in a slow cooker/double boiler |
| Dye Type | Liquid, dye blocks, crayons, mica powder, food coloring |
| Dye Amount | Small amount, varies based on desired shade and wax amount |
| Dye Temperature | 135–140 °F (57–60 °C), 185 °F for dye blocks |
| Mold | Container or mold with a wick |
| Additional Steps | Stir dye thoroughly, cool wax, add fragrance oil |
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What You'll Learn
Using candle dye
Candle dye is a synthetic chemical specifically formulated for use in candle wax. It comes in liquid, dye block, and powder forms.
To use candle dye, start by melting your wax in a double boiler or slow cooker. Candle-making expert Jun Draper recommends melting wax in a double boiler. Stir the wax until it is completely melted. If you are using liquid dye, add one drop during the melting point for the best results. If you are using dye blocks, the recommended temperature for adding them is 185°F (85°C). Start with 1/4 to 1/2 a dye block per pound of wax, adding smaller amounts if you are working with less wax or want a lighter shade. If you are using powder dye, add 10 grams of dye per 500 grams of wax, or 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of dye per cup of wax.
Add the dye to the wax gradually, stirring continuously, until you achieve your desired shade. Be careful not to add too much dye, as this can alter the burn and smell of your candle. The exact amount of dye you use will depend on the size and number of candles you are making, as well as the depth of color you want to achieve. Candle dyes are highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
Once you have achieved the desired color, allow the wax to cool to 135-140°F (57-60°C) before pouring it into a mold. Place the freshly-poured candle in a cool area or the refrigerator to speed up the hardening process.
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Melting wax
Another way to melt wax is in the microwave. Pour your wax into a microwavable container, usually a ceramic or glass dish, and heat for one minute at a time, monitoring the temperature. Continue heating in two-minute intervals until the wax is fully melted. Do not let the wax exceed 80°C.
The temperature at which candle wax melts depends on the type of wax. Soy wax, for example, melts at around 49-82°C, while paraffin wax melts at 46-68°C. Beeswax melts at 62-65°C, and gel wax has a higher melting point of 82°C.
Once the wax is melted, you can add colour. Candle dyes, crayons, and even food colouring can be used to create your desired shade. Add a small amount of dye to the melted wax, stirring in more pigment gradually. Be careful not to oversaturate the wax, as a little goes a long way. You can also use crayons by peeling off the paper and adding as many pieces as needed.
After achieving the right colour, allow the wax to cool to 135-140°F (57-60°C), and then pour it into a mould with a new wick. You can speed up the hardening process by placing the freshly-poured candle in the refrigerator.
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Adding colourants
Firstly, melt your chosen wax in a double boiler or slow cooker. Candle-making expert Jun Draper recommends using liquid wax dye, but you can also use blocks of paraffin wax as a base for your candles. Ensure the wax is completely melted before proceeding.
Next, add your chosen colourant. Candle dye comes in liquid, block, or powdered form, and you can also use crayons or mica powder. The amount of colourant added will depend on the desired shade and the size of your batch. A small amount of colourant goes a long way, so add it gradually and stir thoroughly. For liquid dye, one drop is usually enough to colour a large batch of wax. If using dye blocks, you can shave off flakes for a lighter shade or add more for a darker shade. With powdered dye, add half a tablespoon to a tablespoon to start, and adjust as needed. For crayons, simply remove the paper and add pieces until you achieve the desired colour. Mica powder can also be used, but it may cause issues with the candle's ability to burn evenly.
If you want to create a marbled effect, try the following technique: drizzle coloured wax around the edge of your container using a pipette and allow it to cool completely. Then, pour in white wax at a higher temperature (around 160° F). Alternating the colours and temperatures of the wax and allowing them to cool between layers can help achieve the desired marbled look.
Finally, once you've achieved the perfect colour, allow the wax to cool slightly (to around 135-140° F for best results) before pouring it into a mould with a new wick. You can also add fragrance oil to the melted wax before pouring to elevate your candle's sensory experience.
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Pouring into a mould
To add colour to white candles by pouring them into a mould, follow these steps:
First, melt your white candle. You can do this by cutting the wax into 1-inch blocks and melting them in a double boiler, or using a block of paraffin wax if you're making candles from scratch. You can also melt your old candles on a stovetop.
Next, add your chosen colouring agent. You can use powdered or liquid candle dye, or even mica. Gradually add your colouring agent of choice until you achieve the desired shade, stirring constantly while pouring in the pigment. For example, to colour 1 pound of wax, you would need approximately 0.227g of dye. It's important to test the shade of your colour before pouring, as the wax colour will lighten as it cools. To do this, take a small strip of parchment paper and dip it into the wax, then allow it to cool and observe the final colour.
Once you're happy with the colour, allow the wax to cool to 135-140 °F (57-60 °C). This is an important step, as pouring at high temperatures will not yield good results. You can use a kitchen thermometer to test the temperature of the wax.
Now, you're ready to pour your coloured wax into the mould. Ensure that your mould is pre-heated to achieve the smoothest candle. Heat your oven to between 120-140 °F and place your moulds on a cookie sheet to warm while your wax is melting. Remove the moulds from the oven when you're ready to pour.
Finally, let the candle sit in the mould until it's completely cool and hardened. This usually takes about an hour, but you can place the freshly-poured candle in the refrigerator to speed up the hardening process. Once it's hardened, remove the candle from the mould and trim the wick to about 1/4 inch from the surface of the wax. Your coloured candle is now ready to burn!
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Creating a marbled effect
One method is to poke holes in the candle wax next to the glass jar and fill them with dye. You can use a metal rod or toothpick to create the holes, and a toothpick or skewer to swirl the colours together. If you are using liquid dye, only use 1-2 drops for 4 holes. If you have 6 holes, "dilute" the liquid dye or put a few drops on aluminium foil and dip the rod into the dye before placing it in the hole. With dye blocks, shave off a few pieces and put them into the holes, pushing them deeper into the candle with the rod. Keep in mind that the dye blocks won't spread as much as liquid dye.
Another method is to use a syringe to inject the dye into the candle when it is in the slush stage. You can also drip the coloured wax down the sides of the jar and let it set before pouring in the rest of the wax.
A third method is to prepare a separate container of melted wax with the coloured dye and fill a syringe or spoon with this mixture. Drop 1-2 drops of the coloured wax on top of the plain wax before it sets and then stir or swirl with a stick to create the marbled effect.
For a more distinct marbling pattern, you can try spinning the candle before dipping it into the dye. This will create a unique design.
Finally, you can fill a bucket with room-temperature tap water and add a few drops of your first colour to the surface. Repeat with your second colour, then use a stirring stick to swirl the colours. Holding the candle by the wick, quickly submerge it in the water in a circular motion. Remove any remaining paint from the water's surface with newspaper or a paper towel before removing the candle, to prevent a second layer of marbling forming.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need candle wax, a stove or slow cooker, a double boiler, a mould, a wick, and candle dye.
You can use liquid candle dye, dye blocks, or candle dye flakes. You can also use crayons or mica powder, but be aware that mica powder may cause the candle to burn unevenly. Food colouring will not work as it will not bind with candle wax.
This depends on the size and number of candles you are making, as well as the depth of colour you want to achieve. Candle dyes are highly concentrated, so only a small amount is needed. If using liquid dye, one drop should be enough to colour 125 lbs. of wax.
First, melt the wax completely. Then, add the dye while the wax is still liquid. Stir the dye into the wax thoroughly to ensure the colour is even. Allow the wax to cool before pouring it into a mould.
