Essential Factors that Determine Candle Wick Selection

A candle is simply a useless mound of wax without a wick. Unfortunately, the wick is often an afterthought during candle making. Most people spend most of their time choosing the type of fragrance, wax and containers that suit customer needs. However, you should avoid making candlewick selection an afterthought since it affects the overall performance of a candle. Here is what you need to know about the factors that go into candlewick selection.

Candle Diameter

This is one of the most critical factors determining the type of wicks to buy for your candles. Some people prefer making candles of the same size, although it limits the customer base. The best strategy is to make candles of varying sizes to cater to different clients. Ideally, use thick wicks for candles with a big diameter and vice-versa. It gives candles a proportional look and ensures that they burn at a steady rate. The burn rate increases significantly if you use thick wicks on thin candles and slows down to a crawl when you install thin wicks in thick candles. 

Burn Time

Different candle waxes burn at different rates, something you should consider when choosing wicks. For instance, candles made from soy wax tend to burn slowly and more prolonged than paraffin candles. Therefore, a thin wick is the best choice for soy wax candles because it ensures a longer burn. Conversely, choose thick wicks for candles that customers want to burn at short intervals because thick wicks hasten the formation of a melt pool, which plays an integral role in preventing funnelling. Besides, candles should burn long enough to get value for money.

Fragrance Load

Fragrance candles are considered a luxury and mostly found in spas, massage parlours, restaurants and residential homes. Fragrance loads vary, a decision that lies with a candle maker. Typically, candles with a high fragrance load are considered more expensive than those with low loads. Notably, it is essential to match wick size with a candle's fragrance load. Thick wicks work best in candles with a high fragrance load since it increases the scent's throw. It means that customers can smell a scent from afar. Fragrance-laden candles with thick wicks are mostly used in large spaces, such as hotel lobbies and worship places. On the other hand, a thin wick is perfect for candles with a low fragrance load since the scent throw is limited to a small area, such as a bathroom or bedroom. 

For more information, contact a company that provides candle making supplies.