Glossary of Candle Making Terms
Additives: Anything you add to the wax. May include: stearic, vybar, polythenes. Although you would regard colourants and scents as additives they are not normally included in this category in candle `talk’.
Applique: Applying an item to a finished candle. Also describes the actual item to be applied.
Beeswax: A natural wax derived from honey bee hives.
Chatter Marks: same as stuttering. (See stuttering.)
Container: The vessel used to pour a candle in, that is to be used as an integral pat of the candle (as opposed to a mould which the candle is removed from before use.)
Core: The central portion of a candle.
Double Boiler: A smaller pot placed inside a larger pot which contains water.
Dye: Colourants which are oil soluble. Used for core colouring.
EO: Abbreviation for essential oil.
Essential Oil: natural extracts of plant matter. Many are difficult to use in candles.
FO: Abbreviation for fragrance oil.
Fragrance Oil: A synthetic or synthetic/natural blend of oil. Several different types, those designed specifically for candles work best. Typically you use 1 ounce per pound for a heavily scented candle.
Layering: Process of pouring two or more layers of coloured wax.
Melt Point: The point at which wax melts. Remember that waxes with the same melt point do not necessarily have the same properties.
Melt Pool: The liquid wax which forms when burning your candle.
MP: Abbreviation for melt pool.
Overdip: Dipping a core in wax to add colour or any other effect.
Paraffin: The most common candle making wax. Refined from petroleum.
Pigment: Non soluble colourants. Consist of coloured particles which suspend in the wax (similar to what paint does). Used only for over-dipping. If you use it in the core it might clog up the wick.
Pouring temperature: The temperature the candle is poured at. It has little to do with the melt point and is generally determined by the type of mould or effect you are working on.
Scent Oil: A term used along with Fragrance Oil.
Stuttering: Caused by pouring too cool. The wax alternately flows and cools going up the sides of the mould or container. This results in horizontal lines and bubbles in your candle.
Wax Formula: The combined mixture of all ingredients used for candle making - wax(s), additives, dyes and fragrances.
Whipped Wax: Wax that has been whipped with an egg beater or blender to make it fluffy.