When you start your candle making business. The furthest thing from your mind is making sure that your candles aren’t melting in transit; between you and your customer. This is a very real problem. And you want your candles to arrive in one piece, whether they have the possibility of melting or breaking. So, how do you properly ship your candles?
How to protect your candles from shipping and high temperatures:
- Use the proper cushioning in your shipping containers.
- Use an appropriately sized, durable box.
- Ship loose candles in tissue paper.
- Protect the tops of candles without lids with a cardboard disc.
- Use the proper shipping option.
- Make decisions based on the temperature outside, like shipping earlier in the week and using only priority mail in the summer.
- Guard against melting by keeping them cool with ice or frozen gel packs or by using air pillows—or adding stearic acid to your candles as you make them.
- Maintain your image by packaging your candles well and with intention.
There are many ways you can protect your candles from shipping. And while some of them may seem like common sense, others are great ways to elevate your business brand. Read on to find out how you can protect your candles but also maintain your aesthetic.
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Use the proper cushioning in your shipping containers
The first thing that could go wrong when shipping your candles is that the container can break. While metal provides safer protection for your candle when shipping, most candles are still created in glass containers. When you ship your candles, make sure you are using the proper cushioning in your boxes, like bubble wrap.
If you find yourself using too much cushioning and note that it is expensive to ship your candles. Consider switching to a different container. Glass can be heavy and requires a lot of cushioning. While a metal or tin candle container still maintains the aesthetic you want, has lower shipping costs; and is less likely to be damaged when shipping.
Use an appropriately sized, durable box
While this might seem like common sense. Make sure the box you’re shipping your candle in; will be able to fit both your candle and the cushioning you need to protect it. You may need to ship your candle in a bigger box than you think. With all the appropriate steps taken, it may be much larger than you expect. Make sure to pack it tightly to ensure that any movement will not jolt the candle and dent the tin or break the glass.
Because you’re shipping such fragile items, you should also make sure you’re using a durable box when you ship. Usually, you should ship your glass candles within a heavy duty, corrugated cardboard box with at least two inches of bubble wrap or other cushioning on any side of the item.
When you’re shipping your candles in such a box, make sure you use the proper tape. Regular tape or masking tape will not hold up during the shipping process, so using packing tape is your best option when sending your items.
Ship loose candles in tissue paper
If your order includes candles that do not come in a container. You need to take extra precautions to make sure they get to their destination in one piece. Wrapping your candles in tissue paper or wax paper can help protect them from the others in the box. You don’t want them to melt together in transit.
Protect the tops of candles without lids with a cardboard disc
If you have candles within containers that do not have lids. You need to protect that wick and wax; by placing a cardboard disc on the top of the candle and taping it shut. Because there is no lid. It cannot be protected in the way a lid does. So, making your own will help give your candle the protection it needs while shipping.
Use the proper shipping option
You’re already shipping something fragile, so making sure you’re shipping it the right way can also protect your products. If you’re concerned about melting, which can be a problem in higher temperature locations, consider springing for express shipping. Because it does not take as long, your candles will not be in the heat as long and run less risk of melting in transit.
By choosing these options, you can also provide tracking information to your customers. By doing this, you can make sure they know their items are delivered, so your candles do not sit out in the sun too long before they can bring them inside.
Make decisions based on the temperature outside, like shipping earlier in the week and using only priority mail in the summer
If you don’t provide free shipping for your items. Consider having priority mail be the only option for your customers to choose from when the temperatures rise. This can help to combat the possibility of them melting in transit.
You can also protect your candles simply by shipping them earlier in the week. If you make sure they’re sent out on Monday or Tuesday, you don’t have to worry about them in transit on a weekend—and potentially getting stuck on a shipping truck during that time.
Guard against melting by keeping them cool with ice or frozen gel packs or by using air pillows—or adding stearic acid to your candles as you make them
One of the worst things that can happen when shipping your candles is them getting to their destination and finding that the wax melted in transit. There are ways around this, though, and that means extra packing precautions.
When packing your candles for shipping in hot locales, use packaging like an air pillow instead of heavy and hot cushioning like bubble wrap. You can also add a cold pack—as long as it is properly wrapped, so it does not leak upon melting—within your packaging. Do not freeze your candles! Freezing your candles can cause damage to your candle by cracking or warping the wax.
If you want to stop the melting process before it starts, you can also add stearic acid. Also known as stearin, this additive comes from tallow or vegetable oil and can be added to your candles to not only make them whiter, help you release them from molds, and make them opaquer, but also help raise the melting point of most waxes, most typically paraffin. If you find yourself shipping candles to mostly hotter locations, this can be a helpful tool to make sure your candles get there in one piece!
Maintain your image by packaging your candles well and with intention
For this kind of product, looks are everything, so maintaining your branding and aesthetic is key, even when you’re shipping your item. Your customers are more likely to become repeat customers if they find a well wrapped, well-loved item in their box when they unwrap it. Spending money on this part of your business isn’t just advisable, it’s a good thing—it’s another layer of marketing that you can depend on to bring people back to your business.
The easiest way to ship your candles to your customers and keep your peace of mind is by preparing for anything that may go wrong in the shipping process. Protect your candles with enough cushioning, wrap your pillar candles with tissue or wax paper to protect them from melting, and pack your candles with ice packs to make sure they get to their destination in one piece. This kind of attention to detail will get your customers’ attention and will keep them coming back.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you ship candles internationally?
Yes, in most cases, you can ship candles internationally. The USPS does have certain restrictions on what you can send, found on the list here, and you should always check the restrictions of the country in which you are sending your item.
What type of candle is hardest to ship during the summer?
When you’re shipping candles, especially in warmer weather, the type of candle you need to be most cautious about is your soy candles. Because of their low melting point, it is highly likely that they could melt in transit. Take the proper precautions like adding ice packs or using priority mail to make sure they do not melt on their way to your customers.
Looking to start your own candle making business, check out my startup documents here
Please note that the contents of this blog are for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Any action taken based on the information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk. Additionally, all images used in this blog are generated under the CC0 license of Creative Commons, which means they are free to use for any purpose without attribution.
Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Candle Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online candle business resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a candle business owner at a craft fair, farmers market, retail location or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to obtain and retain clients, finding good employees all while trying to stay competitive. That’s why I created Candle Business Boss: I want to help candle business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.