How to Start a Candle Business in the UK: A Packaging & Glass Guide

The UK candle market is booming. Valued at over £1.9 billion and still growing, it has become one of the most accessible and rewarding small business opportunities in the country. From artisan makers selling at local markets to ambitious brands scaling into national retail, the candle industry offers a genuine path from kitchen table to thriving enterprise.

But starting a candle business involves far more than melting wax and pouring it into a jar. Regulations, safety standards, labelling requirements, glass selection, wax chemistry, branding, decoration, and wholesale supply chains all play a part. Get them right and you build a brand that stands out. Get them wrong and you risk costly mistakes, customer complaints, or worse - regulatory action.

This guide covers it all. We have distilled over 35 years of experience supplying glass to candle makers, cosmetics brands, food producers, and fragrance houses across the UK into a single, comprehensive resource. Whether you are pouring your first test candle or preparing to scale up production, this guide will walk you through every packaging and glass decision you need to make.

Let us begin.

1. UK Regulations & Safety Standards

Before you sell a single candle, you must understand the regulations that govern the UK candle industry. These are not optional - they are legal requirements, and non-compliance can result in product recalls, fines, and serious liability.

BS EN 15493: Candles — Specification for Fire Safety

This European standard (retained in UK law post-Brexit) sets out the fire safety requirements for candles. It covers flame height, secondary ignition, structural integrity during burn, and end-of-life behaviour (what happens when the candle burns down to the base). Your candle must not produce a dangerously high flame, must remain structurally stable throughout its burn, and must self-extinguish safely.

Testing against BS EN 15493 is typically done by burning complete candles (in their container, if applicable) under controlled conditions. While you can self-certify by following the standard's procedures, many brands send samples to accredited testing labs for third-party verification -- particularly when approaching retail buyers.

BS EN 15494: Candles - Product Safety Labels

This standard specifies the fire safety warnings and pictograms that must appear on every candle you sell. There are four mandatory pictograms covering common risks:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended
• Keep away from things that catch fire
• Keep away from children and pets
• Always leave at least 10cm between burning candles

These must be visible on the product or its packaging at the point of sale. The pictograms have specific size and placement requirements detailed in the standard.

CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging)

If your candle contains fragrance - and virtually all scented candles do - it falls under CLP regulation. This requires:

• Hazard pictograms relevant to the fragrance ingredients (typically the exclamation mark for irritants, and sometimes the environmental hazard symbol)
• Signal words (Warning or Danger, depending on classification)
• Hazard statements (H-statements describing the nature of the hazard)
• Precautionary statements (P-statements advising on safe handling)
• Allergen declarations listing specific allergens present above threshold levels
• Supplier information including your business name and address

Your fragrance supplier should provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each fragrance oil, which contain the classification information you need to create compliant CLP labels. If they do not, ask — and if they cannot provide them, find a different supplier.

REACH Compliance

The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation applies to all chemical substances used in the UK. Your fragrance oils, dyes, and any other chemical additives must be REACH-compliant. Again, your suppliers should be able to confirm this. UK REACH (managed by the HSE) now operates separately from EU REACH post-Brexit, so ensure your suppliers are compliant with the UK regime.

Product Liability Insurance

This is not a legal regulation in the same sense, but it is effectively essential. If a candle you sell causes injury or damage, you are liable. Product liability insurance typically costs between £100 and £300 per year for a small candle business and covers you against claims. Most retail stockists and online marketplaces will require proof of product liability insurance before they will list your products.

General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)

From 2024, the UK's updated GPSR framework requires that all consumer products placed on the market are safe. For candle makers, this means you must be able to demonstrate that you have assessed the risks associated with your product and taken steps to mitigate them. Maintaining records of your testing, your ingredient sources, and your compliance documentation is essential.

2. Choosing Your Candle Glass

The glass vessel you choose defines your candle. It shapes the aesthetic, influences the burn performance, determines your price point, and communicates your brand before the customer even lights the wick. Choosing the right candle glass is one of the most important decisions you will make.

Size Guide

Candle glasses are measured by their volume capacity in centilitres (cl) or millilitres (ml). Here is what each size typically suits:

A common approach for new brands is to launch with a 20cl as the core product, a 10cl as a discovery or gift size, and a 30cl as a premium upsell. This three-tier structure gives customers a clear range and encourages repeat purchases.

Glass Shapes & Styles

The shape of your candle glass affects both aesthetics and burn performance:

• Tumblers - Straight-sided or gently tapered. The most popular choice for candle makers. Clean lines, easy to label, excellent heat distribution. Our 100cl Deep Tub is a classic example for large format candles.
• Coniques - Elegant tapered shape, narrower at the base. Creates a distinctive silhouette. The 10cl Conique is perfect for travel candles and gift sets.
• Beakers - Laboratory-inspired aesthetic with a pour spout. Popular with modern, minimalist brands. The 150ml Low Form Beaker offers a unique, contemporary look.
• Travel glasses — Compact, often with lids. Designed for portability and gifting. The 10cl Travel Candle Glass is a bestseller for this format.

10cl Conique Candle Glass

10cl Travel Candle Glass

150ml Low Form Beaker

What to Look For in Quality Candle Glass

Not all glass is created equal. When evaluating candle glass for your brand, pay attention to:

• Wall thickness — Thicker walls (typically 3–5mm) provide better heat resistance and a more premium feel. Thin-walled glass can become dangerously hot during burn and may crack under thermal stress.
• Flat base — Essential for stability. A candle glass that wobbles on a surface is a safety hazard and looks unprofessional.
• Heat resistance — Candle glass must withstand prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Soda-lime glass (the standard for containers) handles this well when properly manufactured, but quality varies. Always test-burn your candles in their intended vessel.
• Clarity — For clear glass, look for minimal bubbles, distortion, or discolouration. High-quality glass should be optically clear and consistent across batches.
• Consistency — Batch-to-batch consistency in dimensions, weight, and appearance matters when you are applying labels, lids, or packaging. A 1mm variation in diameter can mean labels do not align.

1kg Large Clear Candle Glass — View Product

Lids & Accessories

A lid serves multiple purposes: it protects the candle during storage and shipping, preserves the fragrance, keeps dust off the wax surface, and adds to the presentation. Our Silver Polished Candle Lid gives a clean, premium finish that works across a range of glass sizes.

Consider whether you want your lid to be functional (for extinguishing the candle) or purely aesthetic. Metal lids with a snug fit work well for both.

3. Wax Types & Glass Compatibility

The wax you choose affects everything: scent throw, burn time, appearance, how the wax adheres to the glass wall, and the overall customer experience. Each wax type has distinct properties that interact differently with glass containers.

Soy Wax

Soy wax is the most popular choice for container candles, and for good reason. It is a natural, renewable product made from hydrogenated soybean oil. Key characteristics:

• Glass adhesion: Excellent. Soy wax naturally bonds to glass walls, reducing "wet spots" (gaps between wax and glass visible from outside).
• Burn quality: Clean, slow, even burn with minimal soot.
• Scent throw: Good cold throw, moderate hot throw. Works well at 6–10% fragrance load.
• Appearance: Creamy, opaque finish. Can develop "frosting" (a white crystalline layer) which is natural but not always desired.
• Pour temperature: Relatively low (around 50–55°C), which is gentler on glass.
• Best glass pairing: Works well in all shapes. Particularly good in tumblers and straight-sided vessels where the smooth wax surface is visible.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin is the traditional candle wax, derived from petroleum. It remains widely used, particularly in the mass market:

• Glass adhesion: Good, though wet spots can be more common than with soy.
• Burn quality: Strong, bright flame. Can produce more soot than natural waxes.
• Scent throw: Excellent. Paraffin holds and releases fragrance very effectively, making it the benchmark for scent performance.
• Appearance: Smooth, glossy finish with excellent colour vibrancy.
• Pour temperature: Higher than soy (typically 60–70°C). Ensure your glass can handle the thermal shock.
• Best glass pairing: Works in all containers. The glossy finish looks particularly good in clear glass where the wax is visible.

Coconut Wax

Coconut wax is a premium option, increasingly popular with luxury brands:

• Glass adhesion: Very good. Creates a smooth, attractive appearance against glass walls.
• Burn quality: Clean, slow burn. Excellent pool formation.
• Scent throw: Very good both cold and hot.
• Appearance: Luxuriously smooth, creamy white finish.
• Pour temperature: Low, similar to soy.
• Best glass pairing: Stunning in clear glass tumblers where the smooth, white wax contrasts beautifully. Also excellent in coloured or frosted glass.

Rapeseed Wax

Rapeseed (canola) wax is gaining traction, particularly among eco-conscious European brands:

• Glass adhesion: Good, similar to soy.
• Burn quality: Clean burn with good pool formation.
• Scent throw: Moderate to good. Often blended with other waxes to improve throw.
• Appearance: Creamy, natural appearance. Can frost like soy.
• Sustainability: European-sourced rapeseed has a lower carbon footprint than imported soy or coconut.
• Best glass pairing: Performs well across all glass types. A popular choice for brands emphasising local sourcing.

Wax Blends

Many experienced candle makers use blends to get the best properties from multiple waxes. Common combinations include:

• Soy/coconut blend: Improved scent throw and smoother appearance over pure soy.
• Soy/paraffin blend: Better scent throw and reduced frosting, though it moves away from the "natural" positioning.
• Coconut/rapeseed blend: Luxury performance with a European sustainability story.

4. Wicks, Fragrance & Colour

These three elements — wick, fragrance, and colour — are where candle making becomes both a science and an art. Getting them right requires testing, patience, and a willingness to iterate.

Wick Sizing

The wick is the engine of your candle. Choose the wrong size and everything else falls apart:

• Too small: The candle "tunnels" — the wax melts in a narrow channel down the centre, leaving a thick wall of unmelted wax around the edges. This wastes wax, reduces burn time, and looks unattractive.
• Too large: The flame is too high, the glass overheats, excessive soot forms, and the candle burns through too quickly. This is also a safety hazard.
• Just right: A full melt pool forms within 1–2 hours of lighting (reaching the edges of the glass), the flame is steady and moderate, soot is minimal, and the candle burns for its intended duration.

The cardinal rule of wick sizing: test, test, test. There is no formula that will tell you the correct wick for your specific combination of glass, wax, fragrance, and dye. You must conduct burn tests — ideally burning the candle completely from start to finish, recording observations at regular intervals.

Wick suppliers provide sizing charts as a starting point, but these are guidelines only. Order sample packs in several sizes around the recommended range and test each one.

Multi-Wick Candles

For larger vessels (30cl and above, especially the 100cl Deep Tub), consider using multiple wicks. A wide vessel with a single wick will almost certainly tunnel. Two or three smaller wicks spaced evenly across the surface create even heat distribution and a full melt pool. Multi-wick candles also create a dramatic visual effect that customers love.

Fragrance

Fragrance is what sells candles. It is the emotional hook, the reason customers come back, and the element that defines your brand identity.

• Fragrance load: Most waxes work well with 6–10% fragrance oil by weight. Going higher risks separation, sweating, or safety issues. Going lower produces a weak throw that disappoints customers.
• Flash point: Every fragrance oil has a flash point — the temperature at which it can ignite. Your wax pouring temperature must be below the fragrance's flash point. Suppliers provide this information on their technical data sheets.
• Cold throw vs hot throw: Cold throw is the scent you smell when the candle is unlit. Hot throw is the scent when burning. Some fragrances are strong cold but weak hot, and vice versa. Test both.
• Curing: Most candles benefit from a curing period after pouring (typically 1–2 weeks for soy, less for paraffin) during which the fragrance oil fully binds with the wax. This significantly improves scent throw.

Colour & Dye

Colour is the third dimension of your candle's visual identity, alongside the glass and the label:

• Liquid dyes: Easy to mix, consistent results, wide colour range. Best for beginners.
• Dye blocks/chips: Concentrated, good for strong colours. Require melting into the wax.
• Colour through glass: Consider how the dye looks through your glass. A deep red wax in clear glass appears completely different from the same dye in frosted or coloured glass. Pour test samples in your actual vessel.
• Undyed candles: Many premium brands leave their candles undyed, letting the natural colour of the wax speak for itself. This is a perfectly valid — and increasingly popular — choice, especially with the clean, natural aesthetic many consumers favour.

5. Decoration & Branding Your Glass

Decoration is what transforms a generic glass container into a branded product. It is the difference between a candle that looks homemade and one that looks like it belongs on the shelves of Liberty or Selfridges. Coloured Bottles offers a range of professional decoration services that can be applied directly to your glass — no labels required.

Screen Printing

Screen printing applies ink directly onto the glass surface. It is the most popular decoration method for candle glass and offers:

• Crisp, clean graphics with fine detail
• Durable finish that withstands handling and heat
• Single or multi-colour printing available
• Cost-effective at moderate to large volumes
• Works on flat, cylindrical, and gently curved surfaces

Screen printing creates a professional, permanent finish. Unlike labels, it will not peel, wrinkle, or shift. For brands with a clean, modern aesthetic, white or gold screen printing on clear glass is a timeless combination.

Read more about our automated screen printing process.

Hot Foil Stamping

Hot foil applies metallic or coloured foil to the glass using heat and pressure. It creates a stunning, eye-catching finish:

• Metallic gold, silver, rose gold, copper, and more
• Creates a tactile, raised effect
• Premium perception — instantly elevates perceived value
• Works beautifully on both clear and coloured glass
• Ideal for logos, brand names, and decorative elements

Hot foil is particularly popular with luxury candle brands. A simple gold foil logo on clear glass says "premium" in a way that no amount of label design can replicate.

Learn more about our hot foil stamping capabilities.

Spray Coating

Spray coating applies a coloured or effect coating to the entire exterior of the glass. This opens up dramatic creative possibilities:

• Solid colours (matte or gloss finish)
• Metallic and pearlescent effects
• Frosted and soft-touch finishes
• Multi-layer effects (spray coat plus screen print or foil)
• Transforms commodity clear glass into a completely custom product

Spray coating is the most transformative decoration option. A matte black spray coat with gold foil lettering is a combination that many luxury brands use to great effect.

Explore our spray coating process and browse our decorated glass collection.

Combining Decoration Techniques

The most distinctive results often come from combining methods:

• Spray coat + screen print: Coloured vessel with printed branding
• Spray coat + hot foil: Matte body with metallic logo
• Screen print + foil highlights: Printed design with foil accents

Our decoration team can advise on the best combination for your design. Visit our decoration services page for full details and to discuss your project.

6. Packaging for Retail & Shipping

Your candle is made, your glass is decorated, and it looks beautiful. Now you need to get it to the customer in perfect condition. Packaging serves three purposes: protection, presentation, and compliance.

Inner Packaging

The inner packaging is what the customer sees when they open the outer box:

• Rigid boxes: The premium choice. A printed rigid box with a magnetic closure or lift-off lid creates an unboxing experience that customers photograph and share. Higher cost but justified for luxury positioning.
• Folding cartons: Printed card boxes that fold flat for storage. Cost-effective, professional, and easy to assemble. The most common choice for mid-range candle brands.
• Tissue paper and crinkle fill: Wrapping your candle in branded tissue paper, with crinkle paper fill in the box, adds a tactile luxury element at minimal cost.
• Belly bands and sleeves: A printed band around the glass, secured with the lid, is a cost-effective alternative to full boxes for market stalls and direct-to-consumer sales.

Outer Packaging for Shipping

Glass needs careful protection during transit:

• Double-wall corrugated boxes: Essential for shipping glass products. Single-wall is not sufficient.
• Dividers/inserts: Cardboard dividers prevent candles from knocking against each other in multi-unit orders. Custom inserts hold each candle securely in place.
• Void fill: Use adequate padding (crumpled paper, air pillows, or moulded pulp inserts) to prevent movement within the box.
• FRAGILE labelling: Mark all boxes containing glass clearly. While not a guarantee of gentle handling, it helps.
• Testing: Send test shipments to yourself through your chosen courier. Drop the box from waist height onto a hard floor. If the candle survives, your packaging is probably adequate.

Labelling & Compliance

Your label or packaging must include:

• CLP-compliant information (as discussed in Section 1)
• BS EN 15494 fire safety pictograms
• Net weight of the candle
• Your business name and address
• Burn instructions
• Batch number (for traceability)

Many brands place the legally required information on a base sticker or the back of the box, keeping the front of the candle clean and brand-focused. This is perfectly acceptable as long as all required information is accessible before purchase.

7. Wholesale Ordering & MOQs

Understanding how wholesale glass ordering works will save you time, money, and frustration as you scale your business.

How Coloured Bottles Pricing Works

At Coloured Bottles, we have structured our pricing to work for businesses at every stage:

• No minimum order quantity (MOQ) on stock glass: You can order as few as one glass to test and prototype. This means you can try multiple styles and sizes before committing to larger quantities.
• Price breaks at basket level: Our pricing decreases as your order quantity increases. These price breaks are applied automatically at checkout based on the total number of units in your basket — you do not need to order a specific product in bulk to qualify. Read more about our price breaks structure.
• Pallet quantities for best pricing: For the best unit prices, order in pallet quantities. Pallet volumes vary by product — a pallet of 10cl glasses contains far more units than a pallet of 100cl vessels. Our wholesale pallet options give you the best value for high-volume production.

Stock vs Custom Decorated

There are two broad ordering paths:

Planning Your Orders

As your business grows, you will want to think ahead:

• Start small: Order sample quantities to test. Pour in multiple glasses. Get feedback from honest critics before committing.
• Forecast demand: Once you have sales data, order 3–6 months ahead for custom decorated glass. Lead times can extend during peak seasons (September–November for the Christmas rush).
• Keep a buffer: Always hold some stock glass as a buffer. Running out of vessels mid-season is a painful experience.
• Consider seasonality: The candle market peaks heavily in Q4. Plan your stock levels and decoration orders accordingly.

8. Selling Your Candles

Making a great candle is one thing. Building a business around it is another. Here are the main channels and considerations:

Online Sales

The most accessible route to market:

• Your own website: Shopify, WooCommerce, or Squarespace all work well for candle brands. Full control over branding and customer experience. Higher margins than marketplace sales.
• Etsy: A natural fit for handmade candles. Built-in audience of buyers looking for artisan products. However, competition is fierce and fees add up (6.5% transaction fee plus listing fees).
• Amazon Handmade: Large audience but harder to build brand recognition. Works best alongside other channels.
• Social commerce: Instagram and TikTok Shop are increasingly important for candle brands. Visual products sell well on visual platforms.

Markets & Fairs

Physical markets remain an excellent way to launch and grow a candle brand:

• Direct customer feedback on scents, packaging, and pricing
• No shipping costs or breakage risk
• Build a local following and gather email addresses
• Christmas markets in particular can generate significant revenue
• Table fees are typically £30–100 per day — achievable even for very new businesses

Wholesale to Retailers

Getting your candles into independent shops, gift shops, and boutique retailers:

• Typically requires professional packaging and CLP-compliant labelling
• Retailers expect wholesale pricing (typically 40–50% of RRP)
• Product liability insurance is usually required
• Start with local independent retailers and build your portfolio

Subscription Boxes

Candle subscription boxes have grown significantly. You can either run your own or supply candles to existing subscription services. The smaller formats — such as the 10cl Travel Glass or 10cl Conique — work particularly well for subscriptions and discovery sets.

9. Case Study: Lower Lodge Candles

Theory is useful. Real-world examples are better.

Lower Lodge Candles is a growing UK candle brand that sources its glass from Coloured Bottles. Starting from a small operation, they built a brand that now supplies independent retailers and sells directly to consumers through their own channels.

Key elements of their approach:

• Selected a core glass range that reflected their brand positioning
• Invested in professional decoration to elevate their product from handmade to retail-ready
• Worked with Coloured Bottles to scale from small orders to production quantities as demand grew
• Maintained consistent quality and branding across their entire range

Read the full Lower Lodge Candles case study for more details on how they built their brand with Coloured Bottles glass.

10. Your Candle Business Checklist

Before you launch, make sure you have covered:

• Registered your business (sole trader, limited company, or partnership)
• Obtained product liability insurance
• Conducted burn tests compliant with BS EN 15493
• Created CLP-compliant labels for every scented product
• Included BS EN 15494 fire safety pictograms on all products
• Sourced REACH-compliant fragrance oils and dyes
• Selected and tested your candle glass, wax, and wick combination
• Designed packaging that protects during shipping
• Set up at least one sales channel
• Photographed your products professionally
• Built a basic brand presence (website, social media)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start a candle business in the UK?

You can start with as little as £200–£500 for basic supplies (wax, wicks, fragrance, a selection of glass vessels, and simple packaging). Factor in another £100–£300 for product liability insurance and £50–£200 for your first market stall or online shop setup. A more serious launch with professional packaging, decoration, and a larger glass inventory might require £1,500–£3,000. The beauty of candle making is that you can start very small and reinvest profits to grow.

Do I need any qualifications or licences to sell candles?

No formal qualifications or licences are required. However, you must comply with all relevant safety standards (BS EN 15493, BS EN 15494), CLP regulation for scented products, and general product safety legislation. While a candle making course is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended — particularly for understanding wick sizing, wax chemistry, and safety testing.

What size candle glass should I start with?

A 20cl tumbler is the most versatile starting point. It suits bedrooms, bathrooms, and living rooms, produces a good burn time (30–45 hours with soy wax), and sits at a comfortable retail price point (£18–£28 depending on positioning). Add a 10cl size for travel and gifts, and a 30cl for a premium option once your core product is established.

Is candle making profitable?

Yes, candle making offers strong margins. A typical soy candle in a 20cl glass costs £3–£5 to produce (including glass, wax, wick, fragrance, and basic packaging) and retails for £18–£28. That is a healthy margin even after accounting for overheads, marketing, and shipping. Profitability increases significantly at scale as you benefit from bulk purchasing and more efficient production.

How do I choose the right wax for my candles?

Start with soy wax if you are new to candle making. It is forgiving, works well in glass containers, has good adhesion, and appeals to the eco-conscious consumer. As you gain experience, experiment with coconut wax (for luxury positioning) or soy/coconut blends (for improved scent throw). Always test extensively in your chosen glass vessel before selling.

Can I apply my own branding directly to Coloured Bottles glass?

Yes. Coloured Bottles offers professional decoration services including screen printing, hot foil stamping, and spray coating. These are applied directly to the glass for a permanent, professional finish. For smaller runs, you can also apply your own labels to our stock glass — the flat, smooth surfaces of our candle glasses are ideal for label adhesion.

How long does candle glass take to arrive?

Stock glass typically ships within 1–3 working days. Custom decorated glass has a lead time of 2–6 weeks depending on the decoration technique and current demand. During the pre-Christmas peak (September–November), lead times may extend, so plan accordingly.

What regulations apply to candles sold at markets?

The same regulations apply whether you sell online, in shops, or at markets. All candles must comply with BS EN 15493 (fire safety), BS EN 15494 (safety labels), and CLP regulation (if scented). You also need product liability insurance. Market organisers increasingly check for compliance, so have your documentation ready.

Browse Our Candle Glass Range

Further Reading

Continue building your candle knowledge with our other guides:

• The Ultimate Candle Making Guide — Detailed step-by-step candle making instructions
• Amber vs Clear Glass: Which Should You Choose?
• Case Study: Lower Lodge Candles
• Case Study: Melite
• Glass Spray Coating Explained
• Automated Screen Printing on Glass
• Hot Foil Stamping on Glass

Coloured Bottles (ColouredBottles.co.uk) has been supplying quality glass packaging to UK businesses for over 35 years. Whether you are starting your first candle business or scaling an established brand, our team is here to help. Get in touch to discuss your project.