how to make a pillar candle

step-by-step tutorial

Pillar candles are a beautiful way to add something special to your candle collection! From minimalist designs to statement pieces, they come in endless shapes, sizes and colours.

And the best part? They’re easier to make than you might think!

At Antwerp Luxury Candle Supplies, we love using our PM7 Pillar Wax for moulded candles. This specially developed blend of soy wax, refined beeswax and high-quality mineral candle wax offers excellent mould release, beautiful results and a lovely finish.

One of the biggest advantages of PM7 is that it naturally shrinks as it cools, making it much easier to remove your finished candle from the mould.

Ready to make your own? Let’s get started!

materials needed:

Step 1: Prepare your candle mould

First things first: let’s get that wick in place!

Thread your pillar wick through the small hole in the mould. This can be a little fiddly, so if you’re struggling, a needle can make things much easier.

Important: Always check the burning direction of your wick. The arrow should be pointing downwards when threading it through the mould.

Make sure you leave enough wick sticking out at both ends. You’ll trim the excess later.

Next, seal the hole at the bottom of your mould using modelling clay. Press it firmly into place to prevent melted wax from leaking out.

Step 2: measure and melt your pm7 wax

For this tutorial, we’re making a 225 g pillar candle with 8% fragrance oil.

Here’s our formula:

  • 207 g PM7 Pillar Wax (92%)
  • 18 g Bourbon Vanilla Fragrance Oil (8%)
  • Total: 225 g

Melt your PM7 wax to approximately 90°C.

Once fully melted, weigh out 207 g of wax into your pouring jug.

Handy tip: Not sure how much fragrance oil to use? Check out the Fragrance Calculator on our website!

step 3: add your fragrance oil

We’re using our Bourbon Vanilla Fragrance Oil, a wonderfully warm, cosy vanilla scent.

Measure out 18 g of fragrance oil and add it to your melted PM7 wax.

Stir thoroughly to ensure the fragrance oil is evenly incorporated.

Important: PM7 can start to solidify quite quickly as it cools, so work efficiently once your fragrance has been added.

Step 4: Pour your candle

Before pouring, double-check that your mould is properly sealed with modelling clay.

Position your wick centring tool to keep the wick straight and centred.

Carefully pour the wax mixture into your mould.

Now comes the hardest part… waiting!

Leave your candle to cool and harden for approximately 24 hours.

step 5: fill the sinkhole

After 24 hours, you’ll notice that your candle has hardened.

But don’t panic if there’s a little dip or sinkhole in the middle!

This is completely normal with PM7. The wax naturally shrinks as it cools, which also helps with easy mould release.

Simply:

  1. Trim the excess wick at the filling end if necessary.
  2. Melt a small amount of additional PM7 wax.
  3. Carefully fill the sinkhole.
  4. Leave your candle to harden for another 24 hours.

FINAL STEP: remove your candle form the mould

Once your candle has completely hardened, it’s time for the big reveal!

Remove the modelling clay and wick centring tool, and carefully loosen the candle from the mould.

Gently shake or tap the mould if needed.

And there you have it: your very own handmade pillar candle!

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