Thinking about starting a candle business? You’re not alone! The candle industry is booming, with the scented candle market expected to grow to $588.6 million by 2030. Whether you’re looking for a creative side hustle or a full-time venture, selling candles can be both profitable and rewarding.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through six essential steps to launch your candle business. You’ll learn how to start from home, explore Print on Demand (POD) as a low-cost alternative, and find the best strategies to market and scale your brand.
Why Start a Candle Business?
Candles have a high demand as they are widely used for relaxation, home décor, self-care, and gifts. Their versatility makes them a popular choice for various occasions and customer preferences.
Starting a candle business comes with low startup costs, allowing you to begin with minimal investment and scale as your business grows. This makes it an accessible venture for entrepreneurs at any level.
One of the biggest advantages of selling candles is the endless customization options available. You can experiment with different wax types, scents, colors, and designs to create unique products that stand out in the market.
Additionally, candle businesses offer flexible business models. You can choose to handcraft your own candles for a personalized touch or utilize Print on Demand services to streamline production and minimize inventory management.
Now, let’s break down how to start your candle business in 8 easy steps.
Step 1: Choose Your Candle Business Model
There are two primary ways to start selling candles:
Option 1: Sell Candles Without Making Them (Print on Demand)
Want to sell candles without handling production, inventory, or shipping? Print on Demand (POD) is the easiest way to start. With services like Printify, you can create and sell custom-designed candles without any upfront costs, making it a hassle-free way to launch your business.
One of the biggest advantages of POD is that there’s no inventory management—products are made to order, so you don’t need to store supplies or worry about overstocking. This also means you can operate with a minimal startup investment, as there’s no need to purchase wax, jars, or equipment upfront. Additionally, the business is highly scalable, allowing you to sell unlimited products without any production constraints.
How to Start a Candle Business with Printify
- Sign Up for a Free Account – Explore Printify’s candle catalog, featuring eco-friendly soy candles.
- Customize Your Candle – Use Printify’s design tool to upload your logo, create custom labels, and choose scents.
- List Your Products Online – Connect Printify to Etsy, Shopify, or your website to start selling immediately.
- Let Printify Handle Fulfillment – Once an order is placed, Printify manages production, packaging, and shipping.
This business model is ideal for entrepreneurs who prefer a hands-off approach, allowing them to focus on branding and marketing rather than production logistics. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced seller looking for a hassle-free business, POD candles are a great way to generate sales without the traditional challenges of manufacturing.
Start selling with Printify Today
Option 2: Make and Sell Handmade Candles
If you love DIY crafts and want to control every aspect of production, making candles yourself is a great option. Handmade candles allow you to create unique, high-quality products tailored to your niche.
Wax Types:
- Soy Wax – Eco-friendly, long-burning, and ideal for mid-range candles.
- Paraffin Wax – Affordable, produces strong scents, but burns faster.
- Coconut or Beeswax – Luxury options for premium brands.
To start making candles, you’ll need a few essential tools and materials. A double boiler is necessary for safely melting the wax, while a thermometer ensures that you add fragrance at the correct temperature. You’ll also need wicks and containers, such as glass jars, tins, or molds, to shape your candles. Fragrance oils are essential for scented candles, and labels and packaging help establish your brand identity.
How to Make Candles (3-Step Process)
- Melt the Wax – Heat soy wax to 180°F (80°C) or paraffin wax to 150°F (65°C). Avoid overheating to prevent discoloration.
- Add Fragrance & Color – Stir in essential oils at around 150°F (65°C) for even distribution.
- Pour & Set – Pour the wax into jars, align the wick, and allow the candles to cure for 24-48 hours.
This process is perfect for creatives who enjoy hands-on crafting and want full control over their products. Whether you’re making candles for personal use or starting a business, DIY candle-making allows you to create one-of-a-kind products that reflect your unique style.
Step 2: Define Your Candle Business Niche
When selecting a niche for your candle business, consider your passion, market demand, and what makes your candles stand out. Are you drawn to creating all-natural soy candles, hand-poured artisan designs, or themed candles for special occasions? Identifying a niche helps streamline your marketing efforts and allows customers to recognize your brand’s distinct value.
Popular Candle Business Niches
- Eco-Friendly Candles – Made from sustainable materials like soy wax, coconut wax, or beeswax, these candles appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
- Luxury Candles – Featuring high-end fragrances, sleek packaging, and premium ingredients, luxury candles cater to those seeking an upscale experience.
- Aromatherapy Candles – Infused with essential oils, these candles are designed to promote relaxation, stress relief, and overall wellness.
- Handmade & Custom Candles – Unique, personalized options such as wedding favors, zodiac-themed scents, or candles tailored for special occasions.
- Novelty & Themed Candles – Fun and creative designs shaped like food, characters, or seasonal elements, making them perfect for gifting or home decor.
Choosing a niche helps you attract the right audience and differentiate your brand in the competitive candle market.
Step 3: Research the Market & Competitors for Your Candle Business
Before launching your candle business, it’s crucial to analyze the current market trends and competitors. Researching competitors can provide insight into pricing strategies, product positioning, and potential gaps in the market that your brand can fill.
Consider these research strategies:
- Evaluate Candle Wax Quality: Determine what types of wax (soy, paraffin, beeswax, coconut) competitors use and their selling points.
- Analyze Customer Reviews: Read reviews on competitor websites and marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon to understand customer pain points and preferences.
- Explore Local & Online Markets: Visit farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and pop-up shops to see what sells well in person. For online sales, study successful candle brands on Shopify, Etsy, and Instagram.
- Identify Emerging Trends: The National Candle Association provides industry insights that can help you anticipate upcoming trends and consumer preferences.
Step 4: Conduct Keyword Research for SEO Optimization for Your Candle Business
If you want to grow your online presence and attract organic traffic, keyword research is essential. By understanding what potential customers are searching for, you can tailor your product descriptions, blog posts, and website content to rank higher on search engines.
Use these SEO tools to find high-volume, low-competition keywords:
- Google Trends: Identify trending candle-related searches and seasonal demand shifts.
- Semrush: Analyze keyword difficulty and competitor rankings (free plan allows limited daily searches).
- Ahrefs: Provides insights into content gaps and keyword opportunities.
- Ubersuggest: A budget-friendly tool for keyword analysis, domain tracking, and top-performing SEO pages.
By incorporating SEO-optimized keywords into your website and product listings, you’ll improve search visibility and attract more potential buyers.
Step 5: Choose a Business Name That Reflects Your Candle Business Brand
Your business name is the first impression customers will have of your brand, so it should be memorable, meaningful, and aligned with your candle company’s identity. A well-chosen name helps establish your brand’s personality and makes it easier for customers to connect with your products.
When selecting a name, keep it simple by choosing something easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. A straightforward name enhances brand recognition and ensures customers can find you effortlessly. Additionally, make it unique to stand out from competitors and avoid generic terms that might dilute your brand’s identity.
Your business name should also reflect your niche. If your focus is on luxury candles, eco-friendly wax, or aromatherapy scents, consider a name that hints at your specialty. This helps attract the right audience and strengthens your brand positioning.
Before finalizing a name, check domain availability using tools like GoDaddy or Namecheap. A strong online presence is crucial, and securing a matching domain ensures consistency across platforms. If you’re struggling with ideas, use AI name generators like Namelix or BrandBucket to generate creative, niche-specific names.
Lastly, trademark your name to protect your brand identity. Checking for trademarks and registering your business name helps prevent legal conflicts and ensures you have exclusive rights to use it.
Step 6: Create a Strategic Business Plan
A business plan serves as a roadmap for your candle company, outlining goals, financial planning, marketing strategies, and operations. Whether starting a home-based business or scaling production, a clear plan is essential for long-term success.
Begin with an Executive Summary that highlights your mission, vision, and what makes your candles unique. Clearly define your Target Market & Customer Demographics by identifying your ideal buyers, such as eco-conscious shoppers, luxury candle lovers, or gift buyers. Understanding their preferences and habits helps shape your marketing strategy.
Your Product Line & Pricing Strategy should outline the types of candles you sell and ensure pricing covers material costs, labor, and profit margins while staying competitive. A solid Marketing & Sales Strategy is crucial—consider using social media, Pinterest SEO, influencer collaborations, and Etsy promotions to reach your audience.
Determine your Business Structure & Legal Considerations, whether a sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation, and obtain necessary licenses and permits. Finally, a Financial Plan & Budget will help manage expenses and profitability. Open a business bank account, list startup costs (supplies, packaging, branding, website), and ensure your pricing maintains a sustainable profit margin. If needed, explore financing options like business loans or grants.
A well-structured plan keeps you organized and increases your chances of success in the competitive candle market.
Step 7: Set Up Your Store and List Your Candle Products Online
Selling candles online requires a reliable eCommerce platform that aligns with your budget, technical skills, and long-term goals. There are several options to choose from, each with its pros and cons.
1. Sell on Online Marketplaces (Etsy, eBay, Amazon)
Selling on online marketplaces is an excellent option for beginners looking for quick exposure and access to a built-in audience. These platforms offer high traffic, easy setup, and built-in payment processing, making it simple to start selling. However, competition is high, and sellers must navigate marketplace fees and strict policies. Etsy, in particular, is a top choice for handmade candles. To improve visibility, optimize your listings with high-quality photos and keyword-rich descriptions.
2. Use eCommerce Platforms (Shopify, BigCommerce)
For businesses seeking an independent online store, eCommerce platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce provide an easy-to-use, mobile-friendly, and scalable solution. These platforms come with built-in features, making them ideal for long-term growth. However, they require a monthly subscription and have a learning curve for customization. Shopify, for instance, offers a drag-and-drop store builder, but sellers must invest in SEO and marketing strategies to drive traffic and boost sales.
3. Sell on Open-Source Platforms (WooCommerce, PrestaShop)
Entrepreneurs who want complete control over their website may prefer open-source platforms like WooCommerce and PrestaShop. These options eliminate platform fees and offer endless customization and full ownership. However, they require web hosting, security setup, and technical knowledge. WooCommerce is a great choice for WordPress users, though sellers must invest in reliable hosting services like Bluehost or SiteGround to ensure site performance and security while avoiding third-party transaction fees.
4. Use Website Builders with eCommerce Features (Wix, Squarespace)
Website builders with eCommerce features, such as Wix and Squarespace, are ideal for small business owners looking for a visually appealing site with minimal setup. These platforms provide beautiful templates and seamless integration with blogging and marketing tools. While they offer convenience, they lack the deep customization options available on Shopify or WooCommerce. Wix and Squarespace are great all-in-one solutions for those who want an online presence without dealing with technical complexities.
How to List Your Candle Products for Maximum Sales
Once you’ve chosen a platform, the next step is to create compelling product listings that not only attract buyers but also drive sales. A well-optimized listing can make all the difference in converting visitors into customers.
To begin, craft detailed product descriptions that highlight key features such as scent profiles, burn time, materials, and unique benefits. By doing so, you help customers visualize the product and understand why it stands out from the competition.
In addition to strong descriptions, high-quality images are essential. Showcase your candles from multiple angles to give buyers a clear view of the product. Moreover, lifestyle shots can enhance their appeal by displaying the candles in real-life settings, making them feel more relatable and desirable.
To further improve visibility, optimize your listings for SEO. This means incorporating relevant keywords into your product titles, descriptions, and meta tags. As a result, your listings will rank higher in search results, increasing organic traffic to your store.
Finally, offer multiple pricing options to encourage higher order values. For example, consider bundle deals, gift sets, and limited editions to attract different types of buyers and boost sales. By implementing these strategies, you can create product listings that not only capture attention but also maximize conversions.
Step 8: Monitor Your Store’s Performance and Optimize for Growth
After launching your store, tracking performance is essential to understand what’s working and where improvements are needed.
1. Track Sales and Customer Insights
- Which candles are selling best? Identify top-performing products and create more variations.
- Who is buying your candles? Analyze demographics like age, location, and purchase behavior.
- Where are visitors coming from? Determine if traffic is coming from Google, Pinterest, Instagram, or paid ads.
2. Use Analytics Tools to Track Website Performance
Tracking and analyzing visitor behavior is crucial for optimizing your online store’s performance. By understanding how users interact with your site, you can make informed decisions to improve their experience and increase conversions.
To start, Google Analytics is the industry standard for monitoring website traffic, conversions, and user behavior. It provides valuable insights into where visitors come from, how they engage with your site, and what ultimately drives sales.
However, if you prefer a more visual approach, tools like Hotjar and Smartlook can be incredibly useful. They offer heatmaps and session recordings, allowing you to see exactly how users navigate your store. As a result, you can identify areas that need improvement, such as optimizing page layouts or streamlining the checkout process.
On the other hand, if privacy is a concern, Matomo serves as an excellent alternative to Google Analytics. It not only offers customizable reports but also ensures data ownership and compliance with privacy regulations, giving you greater control over your analytics.
💡 Tip: Regularly review analytics data and adjust your marketing strategies to improve traffic and boost sales.
Final Thoughts: 8 Simple Steps to Start Your Own Candle Business
Starting a candle business from home has never been easier, thanks to affordable supplies and the increasing demand for handcrafted, unique, and scented candles. Whether you choose to hand-pour candles yourself or use a Print on Demand (POD) model, there are multiple ways to transform your passion into a profitable business.
If you want to enter the candle market quickly without dealing with upfront costs, inventory management, or production logistics, Print on Demand (POD) is a great solution. Platforms like Printify allow you to customize candle designs, sell under your own brand, and fulfill orders without handling inventory, making it a hassle-free way to start selling.
Get Started with Your Candle Business Today
- Establish a strong brand identity by following proven candle business tips.
- Choose the right selling platform, whether it’s Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce, or Printify.
- Optimize your product listings and marketing strategy to attract more customers.
- Track performance and refine your business for long-term success.
Ready to build your candle brand? Start selling today and turn your passion for candles into a thriving business!
