September 16, 2025

Your Guide to Candle Supplies Canada

Picture this: the quiet satisfaction of lighting a candle you made with your own two hands, watching it fill the room with a scent you designed to capture the perfect Canadian season. That feeling is exactly what this guide is all about. We're going to walk you through everything, from picking out the best wax and wicks to finding great Canadian suppliers who deliver right to your doorstep.

Your Roadmap to Making Candles in Canada

Starting your candle-making journey is an incredibly rewarding experience, whether you're crafting for yourself or thinking about starting a small business. This guide cuts through the noise and demystifies the essentials, helping you tap into the amazing local market for handcrafted candle supplies Canada has to offer. We'll skip the textbook definitions and get straight to practical, real-world advice.

And you're in good company! The Canadian candle market is booming, valued at around USD 641 million in 2024 and still growing. That's a huge community of people who, just like you, appreciate the quality and care that goes into a handcrafted candle.

Whether you're a curious hobbyist or an aspiring entrepreneur, this tour is built for you. You'll learn how to:

Choose the perfect wax for the kind of candle you want to make.
Figure out which tools you actually need to get started (and which you can skip).
Find high-quality materials from local Canadian suppliers.
Dive into your first creative project with total confidence.

Having a checklist is always a good idea when you're starting something new. To get a jump on things, take a look at our guide on the top supplies for making candles today.

Think of this guide as your friendly, expert-led tour into the rewarding world of candle making, designed specifically for enthusiasts and aspiring entrepreneurs across Canada. You'll leave feeling ready and inspired to start creating.

Of course, if you're thinking of selling your beautiful creations, there's a business side to consider too. It's one thing to master the craft, but it's just as important to understand things like how to price your handmade items effectively. This guide will get you started on the right foot, helping you create stunning candles from scratch with clarity and confidence.

Choosing the Right Wax from Canadian Suppliers

The very first creative decision you’ll make on your candle-making journey is choosing the wax. This isn't just a minor detail; it’s the heart and soul of your candle. Think of it like a baker picking the perfect flour for a specific type of bread—each wax brings its own unique personality, texture, and behaviour to the table. Getting to know them is a massive step in mastering your craft, and thankfully, Canadian suppliers offer a fantastic variety to explore.

The wax you select will dictate everything from how vividly your candle holds colour to the power of its scent throw (that's the lingo for how well a fragrance fills a room). It also sets the stage for the candle's burn time and overall look. There’s really no single “best” wax, only the best wax for the specific candle you have in mind.

This image breaks down the key features of the most common waxes you'll find.

As you can see, every option offers a totally different profile, making each one suited for different projects and aesthetic goals.

Exploring Natural Waxes

Sourced from renewable resources like plants and insects, natural waxes are a huge hit with eco-conscious makers and buyers. They've really taken off in the Canadian market, largely thanks to their clean-burning properties and sustainable roots.

Soy wax is, without a doubt, the reigning champion of natural waxes available from candle supplies Canada retailers. It’s made from hydrogenated soybean oil, resulting in a soft, creamy wax that’s famous for its amazing scent throw in container candles. It also burns slowly and cleanly, which means very little soot.

But soy wax has its quirks. It can be a bit finicky, sometimes "frosting" (forming little white crystal patterns) or leaving a bumpy top after a burn. Honestly, these are just aesthetic traits and many people now see them as the charming signature of a handmade, natural soy candle. To get the full scoop on its unique properties, you can learn more about the benefits of soy candle wax for candle making.

Beeswax is another brilliant natural choice and one of the oldest candle waxes in history. Harvested straight from honeycombs, it has a gorgeous, subtle honey scent and a natural golden colour. Because beeswax is so dense, it burns for a much, much longer time than other waxes. Plus, it’s a natural air purifier, releasing negative ions as it burns.

Coconut wax is a relative newcomer but is quickly winning over makers. It’s loved for its pristine white appearance, incredible scent throw, and long, slow burn. You'll often find it mixed into blends with other waxes like soy to boost performance and stability.

Understanding Paraffin and Blends

While natural waxes are all the rage, don't count out the traditional options. They definitely still have their place, especially for specific types of candles.

Paraffin wax is the reliable old-timer of the candle world. As a byproduct of the oil refining process, it has a reputation for holding bold, vibrant colours and throwing an exceptionally strong scent. Paraffin is a true workhorse—it comes in various melt points, making it perfect for everything from container candles to those intricate pillar and taper candles that need to stand tall.

The decision often comes down to a balance between performance and your personal values. A paraffin blend might give you that powerhouse scent you're after, while a pure soy candle aligns perfectly with a commitment to using renewable resources.

The consumer push for natural products is making a real difference. The Canadian scented candle market is a big deal, valued at around USD 341 million as of 2025. A lot of that steady growth is being fuelled by people actively choosing eco-friendly options like soy over traditional paraffin.

Wax blends are designed to give you the best of both worlds. Many Canadian suppliers have developed their own special blends, like a soy-paraffin mix (often called "parasoy") or a coconut-soy blend. These are carefully formulated to combine the best features of each wax—for instance, pairing the strong scent throw of paraffin with the creamy appearance and clean burn of soy.

Candle Wax Comparison for Canadian Makers

Choosing a wax can feel overwhelming, so I've put together this simple table to compare the most popular options side-by-side. Use it to quickly see which wax might be the best fit based on its eco-credentials, scent performance, and the type of candle you're hoping to make.

Wax Type	Source	Best For	Scent Throw	Eco-Friendliness
Soy Wax	Soybeans	Container candles, wax melts	Good to Excellent	High (Renewable, biodegradable)
Beeswax	Honeycombs	Pillar, taper, and container candles	Light (natural honey scent)	High (Natural, but not vegan)
Coconut Wax	Coconuts	Container candles, luxury blends	Excellent	High (Renewable, sustainable)
Paraffin Wax	Petroleum	Pillar, votive, container candles	Excellent	Low (Fossil fuel byproduct)
Wax Blends	Mixed	Varies based on blend	Varies (often excellent)	Varies (depends on components)

Ultimately, this table is a starting point. The best way to find your favourite is to experiment and see what works for your specific creative vision.

Which Wax Is Right for Your Project?

Your wax choice should always connect directly to the kind of candle you're creating. It’s a pretty straightforward decision when you break it down:

Container Candles (Jars, Tins, Glasses): You’ll want a softer wax that sticks nicely to the sides of the container. Soy wax, coconut wax, and low-melt-point paraffin are your best bets here.
Pillar and Votive Candles: For candles that need to stand on their own, you need a hard wax. High-melt-point paraffin and beeswax are the go-to choices because they’re rigid and hold their shape beautifully.
Wax Melts and Tarts: Both soy wax and paraffin work wonders for wax melts. They release fragrance like a dream without even needing a wick.

Here’s a little insider tip for Canadian makers: our climate can affect your wax! During frigid winter shipping, some natural waxes can get brittle and crack. On the flip side, hot summer days can cause softer waxes to melt a bit in transit. To be safe, always let your wax sit and acclimate to room temperature for a full 24 hours before you start melting. It makes a world of difference.

Pairing Wicks and Fragrances for a Perfect Burn

If wax is the heart of your candle, then the wick is its engine. It’s the workhorse that draws the melted wax upward to fuel the flame, and it's responsible for how cleanly and evenly your candle burns. A truly great candle is all about the synergy between the wick and the fragrance—a delicate balance that, when you get it right, creates a beautiful, safe, and unforgettable aromatic experience.

Choosing the right wick is so much more than just grabbing a piece of string. Go too big, and you'll end up with a dangerously large flame, a lot of soot, and a candle that burns out way too fast. On the other hand, a wick that's too small is just as bad. It will "tunnel" straight down the middle, leaving a stubborn ring of unused wax around the edges before eventually drowning itself out.

Finding that "just right" wick is a huge part of the craft. Thankfully, Canadian suppliers offer a massive range of options, so you can test and experiment until you nail it.

Matching Your Wick to Your Wax and Vessel

The first step is looking at your wax and the diameter of your container. Natural waxes like soy and coconut are denser than paraffin, so they generally need thicker, more robust wicks to get the job done. It’s also simple physics: the wider your container, the beefier your wick needs to be to create a melt pool that reaches all the way to the edges.

Here are the most common types of wicks you'll find from retailers offering candle supplies Canada wide:

Cotton Wicks: These are the classic, go-to choice for a reason. You'll find them in different styles, like flat or square braids, and they often have a paper or zinc core to help them stand up straight in the hot wax.
Wood Wicks: If you want to create a unique ambiance, these are a fantastic choice. Wood wicks give off a gentle, soothing crackle as they burn, like a tiny fireplace. They offer a modern, rustic aesthetic that's become really popular in the Canadian market.
Specialty Wicks: You might also come across wicks designed for specific projects, like wide ribbon wicks for a horizontal flame or setups designed for multi-wicking very large candles.

The sign of a perfect wick? It creates a melt pool that reaches the edges of the container within 2-4 hours of burning and is about half an inch deep. This is the sweet spot for an even burn, preventing tunnelling and getting the best possible scent release.

The Art and Science of Scent

Now for the fun part—the soul of your candle: the fragrance. The scent is what turns a simple flame into a full-blown experience, capable of jogging memories and completely changing the mood of a room. The demand for high-quality scented candles is a huge driver of the Canadian decorative candle market, which is projected to hit around USD 301 million in revenue by 2025. That number alone tells you how much people value a beautifully scented product.

When you start shopping for scents, you'll see two main categories:

Fragrance Oils (FOs): These are complex blends created by scent experts to capture specific aromas, from "Fresh Linen" to "Toasted Marshmallow." They're specifically designed to be stable in hot wax, which means they usually deliver a strong, consistent scent.
Essential Oils (EOs): Sourced directly from plants, essential oils give you beautifully natural, authentic fragrances. While they smell amazing, they can be a bit more temperamental. They're more volatile in hot wax and sometimes result in a more subtle scent compared to FOs.

Getting a handle on the differences between these two is a fundamental step for any candle maker. For a much deeper look, check out our detailed comparison in our article on fragrance oil vs. essential oil.

Key Fragrance Concepts to Master

As you get into fragrances, there are two terms you absolutely need to know: flashpoint and scent load.

The flashpoint is the temperature at which a fragrance oil's vapours could ignite. This is a safety issue. You always want to add your fragrance oil to the wax when the wax temperature is below the oil's flashpoint.

Scent load (or fragrance load) is simply the percentage of fragrance oil you use compared to the amount of wax. Most waxes can comfortably hold between 6% to 12% fragrance oil by weight. If you try to push past your wax's limit, the oil can actually seep out of the finished candle, giving it a "sweaty" look and creating a potential fire hazard.

Here’s a quick example: for an 8 oz candle with a 10% scent load, the math would look like this:

8 oz (total candle weight) x 0.10 (10%) = 0.8 oz of fragrance oil. This means you'd mix 7.2 oz of wax with 0.8 oz of fragrance oil to get your total 8 oz candle.

Honestly, the secret to a perfect candle comes down to one thing: rigorous testing. Any time you try a new combination of wax, wick, container, and fragrance, make a small test batch. Write everything down—your measurements, temperatures, and how it burned. That's how you'll find the magic formula for a beautiful, fragrant, and safely burning candle.

Building Your Candle Making Toolkit

Now that we’ve covered waxes, wicks, and fragrances, it’s time to set up your workshop. Think of it like building a baker’s kitchen—you start with the essentials for precision and safety, then slowly add more specialized tools.

We'll break down the absolute must-haves from the handy extras. This way, you can start smart, no matter your budget. Getting your toolkit right is all about consistency. Tiny shifts in temperature or measurements can completely change how your candle turns out, so a few key items will ensure you get beautiful results every time.

The Non-Negotiable Essentials

You simply can’t make good candles without these. They are your partners in precision and, most importantly, keep you safe when you’re handling hot wax. Finding these candle supplies Canada-wide is a breeze, as they’re available in both specialty shops and larger retail stores.

Digital Scale: Guessing just doesn't work in candle making. A reliable digital scale that can measure in grams is non-negotiable for weighing your wax and fragrance oils. This precision is the secret ingredient for a consistent scent and candles you can recreate perfectly.
Double Boiler or Melting Pot: Never, ever melt wax directly on a stovetop or hot plate. It’s a huge fire risk and can easily scorch the wax. A dedicated melting pot placed inside a larger pot of simmering water (your own DIY double boiler) gives you gentle, even heat and complete control.
Thermometer: Temperature is everything in this craft. A digital or candy thermometer is crucial for knowing exactly when to add your fragrance and when it’s the right time to pour. Every wax has a sweet spot, and this is the only way to find it.

These three items are the foundation of consistent candle making. Without them, you're just flying blind.

Tools That Elevate Your Craft

Once you’ve got the basics down, a few more tools can make the entire process smoother, safer, and give your final product that polished, professional look. Think of these as the "nice-to-haves" you can pick up as your hobby grows.

Wick Centering Tools & Wick Bars: It might seem simple, but holding your wick perfectly straight and centred while the wax cools is critical for a safe, even burn. These little gadgets do the job for you.

Heat Gun: A heat gun is a candle maker’s best friend for fixing minor cosmetic flaws. A quick blast of hot air can smooth out any lumpy tops or get rid of "wet spots"—those areas where wax pulls away from the glass. It’s the key to a flawless finish.

Wick Trimmer: A long, mushroomed wick is a serious fire hazard and creates a sooty, messy burn. Before every single burn, the wick needs to be trimmed to about ¼ inch. A proper wick trimmer makes this a quick and easy job. You can learn more about why this step is so important in our guide on the candle wick trimmer.

A safe workspace is a productive workspace. Always protect your surfaces from wax spills, ensure you have good ventilation to disperse fumes from fragrance oils, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Safety should be the first consideration in your setup.

Creating a Safe and Efficient Workspace

You don’t need a massive studio to make candles, but your space absolutely must be safe and organized. A dedicated corner in a kitchen, garage, or craft room is perfect.

Always cover your work surfaces with newspaper, cardboard, or a silicone mat to catch spills. Trust me, cleaning up hardened wax is no fun!

Good ventilation is also key, especially when you start working with fragrance oils. Crack open a window or use a small fan to keep the air moving. Lastly, make sure you have a clear, uncluttered path from your melting station to where you'll be pouring. Tripping while carrying a pot of hot wax is a disaster you want to avoid at all costs.

Where to Buy Your Candle Making Supplies in Canada

Choosing the right wax or fragrance is a big deal, but finding the right supplier is just as crucial. Think of them as your partner in this creative journey. For most of us, whether you're a hobbyist or a small business owner, keeping your sourcing within Canada is the smartest play. It helps you dodge those nasty surprise costs and frustrating shipping delays, making the whole process way more enjoyable.

When you start looking for candle supplies Canada, you’ll find two main flavours of vendors: the big national distributors and the smaller local shops. Neither one is better than the other; it really comes down to what you need, how much you're buying, and what you value most.

The Big National Distributors

These are the giants of the Canadian candle-making scene. They operate out of massive warehouses, often near hubs like Toronto or Vancouver, and they ship from coast to coast. Their biggest strength? Scale.

The selection is usually staggering. We’re talking dozens of wax types and hundreds of fragrance oils, all under one roof. This makes them a fantastic one-stop shop where you can grab everything on your list in a single order.

Because they buy in such huge volumes, they can often offer better prices, especially when you start buying in bulk. If you're growing your candle business, those per-unit savings can really add up. The trade-off is that the experience can sometimes feel a bit less personal, more transactional.

The Small Local Suppliers

On the other end of the spectrum, you have the smaller, often family-run, local shops. These businesses are the true heart of the Canadian maker community. Their product range might be more carefully curated, but they bring some incredible benefits to the table.

What really makes them special is the personalized service and deep, hands-on knowledge. The owner has probably personally tested every single fragrance and wax blend they carry. They can give you real, practical advice that you just won't find at a massive retailer. Building a relationship here means you've got an expert in your corner.

Plus, when you support these shops, you’re putting money right back into your local economy. For many makers, that community connection is a huge part of what makes this craft so rewarding.

Your choice of supplier shapes more than just your bottom line; it defines your experience as a maker. A large distributor offers efficiency and breadth, while a local shop provides community and expert guidance.

A Smart Approach to Shipping and Cross-Border Costs

Let's face it, shipping is a reality for Canadian makers, especially if you're not in a major city. Wax is heavy, and those shipping fees can stack up fast. It pays to be strategic.

Most Canadian suppliers offer flat-rate shipping or even free shipping once your order hits a certain amount, usually around the $100 to $150 mark. Planning your purchases to meet that threshold is one of the easiest ways to keep costs down. Another great trick is to organize a "group buy" with other local makers to split the shipping on a massive haul.

It can be tempting to browse U.S. supply websites, where prices sometimes look lower at first glance. Be careful—this is often a false economy. Once you add the currency exchange, customs duties, brokerage fees, and international shipping, that "deal" almost always ends up costing more. Sticking with Canadian suppliers means no surprise fees and much faster, more predictable delivery times.

Speaking of sourcing, if you're interested in crafting candles with beautiful, natural aromas, our guide on using essential oils for candles is a great place to start your scent journey.

Finding Your Ideal Canadian Supplier

Choosing a supplier is a big decision that impacts everything from your costs to your final product. This checklist will help you think through the key factors to find the perfect partner for your candle-making goals.

Evaluation Factor	What to Look For	Why It Matters
Location & Shipping	Do they ship from within your province? What are their free shipping thresholds? Check for local pickup options.	Closer suppliers mean faster delivery and lower shipping costs. Local pickup can eliminate shipping fees entirely.
Product Selection	Do they stock the specific types of wax, wicks, and fragrances you want to use? Do they offer unique or specialty items?	A supplier that aligns with your brand's aesthetic (e.g., eco-friendly, luxury) makes sourcing much simpler.
Pricing & Volume	Compare per-unit costs for both small and bulk quantities. Look for wholesale or volume discounts.	Your supplier needs to fit your budget, whether you're making 10 candles or 1,000. Good bulk pricing is key for growth.
Customer Support	Read reviews. Do they have a reputation for being helpful and knowledgeable? How quickly do they respond to inquiries?	A supportive supplier can provide invaluable advice, troubleshoot problems, and feel like a true partner in your business.
Community & Values	Does the supplier actively engage with the maker community? Do their business values align with your own?	Partnering with a business you believe in can make the entire creative process more fulfilling.

Taking a little time to vet your options upfront will save you a ton of headaches down the road and help you build a strong foundation for your craft.

It’s Time to Light Up Your New Passion

You’ve made it this far, which means you’ve got the foundational knowledge to start pouring some incredible candles. But remember, candle making is a craft of continuous learning and refinement. The best way to grow isn't just by doing, but by connecting with others who share your passion.

Now it's time to step away from the guide and put your new skills to the test. To get you started on the right foot, here's a quick checklist of the most important steps we've covered.

Your First Candle Making Checklist

Choose Your Base: Pick a wax that makes sense for your project—think soy for container candles or sturdy beeswax for pillars.
Find the Perfect Match: Make sure your wick size is correctly paired with your container diameter and the type of wax you're using.
Measure Everything: A digital scale is your best friend. Use it to weigh out your wax and fragrance oil accurately. A good starting point is a 6-10% fragrance load.
Watch the Heat: Melt your wax slowly in a double boiler. A thermometer is crucial for knowing the right moment to add your fragrance and when it's cool enough to pour.
Safety First, Always: Work in a space with good airflow, cover your surfaces, and never, ever leave melting wax unattended.

With these key steps in mind, you’re officially ready to pour your first candle. The real magic, though, happens when you start sharing your journey with others.

Joining the Canadian candle making community turns a quiet hobby into a lively, shared experience. It’s where you’ll find help for those frustrating moments, celebrate your wins, and get inspired by what everyone else is creating.

Online, you’ll find tons of Canadian creators who are just as excited about this as you are. Look for dedicated Facebook groups and forums where everyone from total beginners to seasoned pros are showing off their latest work, asking for tips on tricky techniques, and swapping stories about their go-to candle supplies Canada suppliers.

Don’t be afraid to jump in. Post a picture of your first candle (we’ve all been there!), ask questions, and become part of the conversation. Welcome to the community

Common Questions About Candle Supplies in Canada

Diving into the world of candle making is exciting, but it definitely brings up a few questions. Let's walk through some of the most common ones that pop up for new makers across Canada so you can get started with confidence.

Think of this as your go-to cheat sheet for troubleshooting those first few batches.

Can I Use Essential Oils Instead of Fragrance Oils?

You absolutely can, but it’s crucial to know what you’re getting into. Essential oils are completely natural, pulled straight from plants, and they offer a truly authentic, therapeutic aroma. The trade-off? They can be pricey and often don't throw scent as strongly as oils designed specifically for candles.

Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are engineered to bind with wax and release a powerful, consistent scent when heated. Many Canadian makers lean on high-quality, phthalate-free fragrance oils for this reason. For smaller, aromatherapy-focused projects, though, essential oils are a beautiful choice.

What Is the Best Wax for Beginners?

If you're just starting your candle-making journey, soy wax is your best friend. It's easy to find from suppliers of candle supplies Canada wide, it comes from a renewable resource, and it’s generally much more forgiving than other waxes.

Soy wax is known for its excellent scent throw and a clean, slow burn. You might run into cosmetic quirks like "frosting" (a crystal-like pattern on the surface), but its overall ease of use makes it the perfect material for learning the ropes of pouring and temperature control.

No matter which wax you pick, the single most important thing a beginner can do is test. Seriously. Pouring small test candles with different wicks and fragrance amounts is the fastest way to nail down a formula that works every time.

How Do I Know Which Wick Size to Use?

Ah, the age-old question. Picking the right wick can feel like a bit of a dark art, but it really comes down to three things: your type of wax, your fragrance load, and the diameter of your container. That last one is the most important.

Thankfully, you don't have to guess. Reputable Canadian suppliers almost always have wick-sizing charts that give you a great starting point. Just find your jar diameter and wax type, and it will recommend a wick series.

From there, a simple burn test will tell you everything you need to know:

Is the wax tunnelling? (Leaving a thick ring of unmelted wax on the sides). You need to wick up to a larger size.
Is the flame huge, flickering wildly, or creating soot? You need to wick down to a smaller size.

Do I Really Need a Digital Scale?

Yes. Full stop. A digital scale is the one tool that is completely non-negotiable for making safe, consistent candles. Measuring by volume with cups or spoons just won't cut it, as the density of wax changes dramatically between its solid and liquid states.

Weighing your wax and fragrance oil is the only way to get your fragrance load right every single time. This precision not only ensures you can replicate your best creations but also prevents serious issues like fragrance oil seeping out of a finished candle.

At Shivora Candles, we believe in the beauty of handcrafted quality, from our own creations to the ones you're inspired to make. Explore our collection of premium soy wax candles to experience the perfect blend of scent and ambiance. Find your new favourite scent at Shivora Candles today!