DesignISCO 7319

Candle maker

A candle maker is a person who casts candles: placing the wick in the centre of a mould and filling the mould with wax by hand or by machine, then removing the candle from the mould, trimming the excess wax and inspecting it for any deformity.

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Check yourself in a minute: candle maker

Rate 5 of the 17 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

construct moulds

shape candles

cool candles in baths

melt wax

trim excess material

About candle maker

The wick is set before the wax goes in, and its position decides whether the finished candle burns properly. A wick off centre burns through one wall; a wick of the wrong size either drowns in its own melt pool or burns with a flame too large. Placing the wick therefore calls for precision.

The wax is the other variable. The candle maker melts the wax, works from a knowledge of wax types, and uses moulding techniques, filling the moulds and then extracting the products from them.

Dipping is a separate method the same person uses: the candle maker dips candles, building a candle in layers around a hanging wick rather than casting it in a mould, which gives a different surface and allows tapers that no mould produces. Inspection closes the work, checking for cracks, sunken tops or seams left by the mould.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (17)

types of waxestypes of waxesWaxes are organic compounds composed of alkyl chains and they can have different origins. There are animal waxes such as beewax, plant waxes such as soja or palm wax, and petroleum derived waxes.candle making techniquescandle making techniquesThe characteristics and specifications of candle making techniques which comprise wax melting and candles containers.construct mouldsconstruct mouldsConstruct moulds for the casting of objects in plaster, clay, glass, plastic or metal. Use casting machines and materials such as rubber, plaster or fibreglass.shape candlesshape candlesCut and trim candles to specified sizes, using handtools such as knives or hand dies.cool candles in bathscool candles in bathsDip the candles or molds into a water bath in order to accelerate cooling and create a shinier surface.melt waxmelt waxSafely heat wax to the correct temperature so it melts and becomes a pliable susbtance.trim excess materialtrim excess materialTrim surplus material of fabric such as fiberglass mats, cloth, plastics or rubber.fill mouldsfill mouldsFill up moulds with appropriate materials and ingredient mixes.use moulding techniquesuse moulding techniquesUse moulding techniques, such as rotational moulding, injection moulding, blow moulding, compression moulding, extrusion moulding and thermo-forming to shape liquid raw materials, such as plastic, cer...extract products from mouldsextract products from mouldsRemove finished products from moulds and examine them in detail for anomalies.tend wax bleaching machinerytend wax bleaching machineryTend machinery used in candlemaking such as vats and filter presses to bleach wax.insert wickinsert wickCut the wick to specified length and insert it into the mould of the candle.dye candlesdye candlesApply a dye to the candle wax to obtain the desired colour.drip candlesdrip candlesDrip wicks in heated wax repeatedly to create candles, either by hand or machine.control temperaturecontrol temperatureMeasure and adjust temperature of a given space or object.ensure conformity to specificationsensure conformity to specificationsEnsure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.grade candlesgrade candlesRate candles according to type, colour and size.

Optional (13) — show

quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.beeswaxbeeswaxBeeswax composition which comprises esthers, pigment from pollen and propolis. Beeswax properties such as insolubility in water and natural oxidization.select mould typesselect mould typesSelect the appropriate type and size of mould based on the operation.order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.use heat gunuse heat gunUse a heat gun to warm up various surfaces such as wood, plastic, or metals to shape them, remove paint or other substances.maintain mouldsmaintain mouldsMaintain, repair and clean moulds and mould parts, e.g. by smoothening out imperfections on the surface. Use water, grease or oil to wash and scrape the moulds by hand.carve materialscarve materialsCarve an object out of a materials such as wood, or give a specific shape to a material by carving it.ensure correct goods labellingensure correct goods labellingEnsure that goods are labeled with all necessary labeling information (e.g. legal, technological, hazardous and others) regarding the product. Ensure that labels respects the legal requirements and ad...add scentadd scentMelt the wax, choose the appropriate amount of fragrance and mix it when the wax reaches the right temperature.record production datarecord production dataKeep a record of data such as name, colour and quantity of the produced goods.ensure mould uniformityensure mould uniformityOversee uniformity of moulds. Use casting equipment and tools such as hand press.set up the controller of a machineset up the controller of a machineSet up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.match product mouldsmatch product mouldsChanging moulds to match product specification. Run test samples and check for proper specifications.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a candle maker do?

Candle makers mold candles, place the wick in the middle of the mold and fill the mold with wax, by hand or machine. They remove the candle from the mold, scrape off excess wax and inspect the candle for any deformities.

What skills does a candle maker need?

A candle maker needs 17 essential skills, including types of waxes, candle making techniques, construct moulds, shape candles, cool candles in baths.

Will AI replace candle maker jobs?

The AI disruption score for candle maker is 43/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record production data, quality standards, ensure correct goods labelling. Most resilient: construct moulds, use heat gun, cool candles in baths.

AI Replacement Risk

43/ 100

Moderate Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

record production data quality standards ensure correct goods labelling

Skills resilient to automation

construct moulds use heat gun cool candles in baths

View full AI disruption analysis →

Quick Facts

SectorDesign

ISCO GroupHandicraft and printing workers

Essential Skills17

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