Candles are a staple in many people’s homes. In fact, 7 out of 10 people enjoy candles in their house and retail sales of candles come to more than $3 Billion every year. Private label candles represent a growing share of that number, as wholesale supplies make it easier for small businesses to start their own brands. Do you already own a private label candle company, or are you hoping to start one? Now is the time to ramp up the production of private label candles, as many regions move into colder months and consumers seek that cozy feeling. How can you create and grow your own successful candle business? Get started here.
- Select your product. When you envision your candle business, what do your products look like? Candles typically fall into two categories: scented or decorative. Decorative candles usually come as pillars, taper/dinner candles, votives or tea lights. If you’re going the scented route, you’ll need to narrow down scents in the following categories:
- Relaxing - such as lavender
- Invigorating - such as grapefruit
- Romantic - such as floral
- Fresh - such as herbal
- Festive - such as pumpkin
- Additionally, you should research the wax and wick supplies. You can choose from soy wax, paraffin wax, or beeswax. Wicks make a big difference in candles. Larger candles have multiple wicks which allow for more visual and scent-related benefits. Smaller candles will have single wicks, but the wick needs to be a high quality material like linen or cotton. A wood wick is a premium feature that can add ambiance and even a crackling sound.
- What will the wax be poured into? Will your candles be poured into amber jars, mason jars, glass jars, metal tins, or something completely unique (like a seashell or wine bottle)? Other common options are cement, terracotta, or specialty containers.
- Consider the burn time of your candles. Higher-calibre candles should have longer burn times, and how long your candle burns depends on the quality and size of the candle.
- Choose your wholesale candles. The great thing about a private label candle company is that small businesses can be nimble and flexible. Whether you already have an established brand and want to add candles to your product mix, or just love scents and want to share your excitement, there is an option that can help you to build a profitable business. Many sellers find that candles make a perfect complement to their other products such as private label jewelry, private label cosmetics, or even private label clothing. Since there are a lot of wholesale companies out there, we suggest narrowing your search right away. For example, Newlabel offers only the top 1% of candles manufacturing vendors, so our customers always know they are already choosing from the best of the best. Consider other options that will make running your business easier and protect your investments. Any supplier that you consider doing business with should offer:
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- Verified factories with an established QA process
- Customization options
- Expert advice that can help you navigate the import process, product selection, etc.
- Production tracking
- Multiple shipping options
- Insurance
- Visibility into shipments
- Buyer protections such as money-back guarantees
- Brand your product. Unless you’re literally concocting and hand-pouring your candles, chances are you’ll need to buy wholesale candles and then re-brand them. How do you plan to stand out from established brands that have been around for years? We suggest thinking about what you want your company to represent and how you want your customers to feel. Are you hoping to comfort people and help them to relax? Or, will people use your candles to add a luxurious touch to their home? The scent of your candles will dictate these decisions. For example, if your candles come in scents like “sugar cookie” or “grandma’s kitchen”, you will want to use branding elements that feel warm and homey, such as pastel colors. For more elegant scents, consider using metallics in your branding or other impactful touches that feel “high-end”. Put real effort into your branding and see it through: a logo, a complete color palette, taglines, font choices, etc. You’ll use this branding throughout social media and marketing so don’t just stop at logo creation.
- Consider packaging and shipping. In today’s world, unboxing is a big deal. People love getting fun packages with thoughtful touches. What do you want the customer experience to be when they open your product? Think about your branding and what containers would make it pop. Will the container have a lid? Where will the candle be labeled (on one side or both sides)? Do you plan to place the candle into a box? If so, what does that box look like and where is it labeled? Will you add any other packaging elements, such as tissue paper, stickers, or thank you cards? The most common packaging for candle containers are:
- Mushroom packaging - a thermally insulating, Eco-friendly packaging solution
- Paper or cardboard tubes
- Tumbler boxes
- Corrugated boxes
Then, think about your printed label specifically. The must-haves for every label are your company name and website, a list of ingredients, the location where the candle is made, the weight/net quantity, and of course the scent. We suggest also including a candle warning label for your customers’ safety. Finally, even if you need to keep costs low at first, use high-quality materials for all of your packaging and shipping components. This is not an area to cut corners. Remember: you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
- Set up a way to sell. As you go through the creative processes above, you should also think about how and where you’re going to actually sell your candles. Most people use a business model that leverages:
- A unique website (one that you have created just to sell your private label candles or other private label products). Many people use Shopify or a similar builder when starting out.
- An e-commerceNewlabel platform like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, etc.
- Local farmers markets
- Pop-up shops and craft fairs
- Boutique stores or your own dedicated space
- A combination of these
Check out our recent blog on tips for how to start a private label business. Our experts share more specific information on getting these important elements set up.
- Don’t forget shipping. Your business is not going to be very successful if you don’t delight customers from their first purchase. To make that happen, you need to be sure that products reach their doorstep quickly and unharmed. You can go through the process of creating customized delivery packaging or just use what’s provided by your shipping carrier. Always use bubble wrap or packing peanuts to protect fragile products, and account for the various ways the package could be dropped or banged up before it reaches your customer. One unique consideration for candles vs. other private label products is temperature - wax can melt in hot temperatures or crack in freezing ones. Some sellers choose to include frozen gel packs for the summer months or pack candles tightly for warmth in the winter. Your customer will only be happy if the product that reaches them is exactly what they ordered - bonus points if it gets there even faster than you had promised.
Feeling inspired to add private label candles to your product offerings? Talk to one of our advisors. Our experts will help you to choose high-quality suppliers that work for your unique needs and budget, and then customize products and streamline the entire buying process. Newlabel helps small businesses owners navigate private label ventures from sourcing through production, shipping, and beyond.
