How We Make Candles at the Willis Candle Shop
More Than Wax: The Philosophy Behind Our Process
At the Willis Candle Shop, every candle starts with intention. From temperature-controlled environments to carefully selected ingredients, we don't just pour wax—we pour principle. And when it comes to our labels, we mean it when we say:
“Our label doesn’t just tell you what’s in the candle—it tells you what’s not in the candle.”
No phthalates, no parabens, no unnecessary additives—just a clean, safe burn in every jar. Our process is all about transparency and trust—right from the first step to your doorstep.
Step 1: Setting the Stage with Labels and Containers
Before a single wick is placed, we prepare our vessels with care. Each glass or tin container is carefully positioned on a padded cloth over our stainless-steel work tables—this minimizes the cold shock that metal surfaces can create during candle pouring. Next comes labeling. We apply our front labels using a Norden Candle Supply alignment tool for consistency and precision. Every label includes the exact wax weight, our coconut soy wax blend, and our manufacturing location in Willis, Texas. It also clearly states that our wicks, dyes, and fragrance candle oils are all phthalate-free, paraben-free, and non-toxic. We finish the prep by adding a caution label to the base of the candle—meeting National Candle Association standards.
Step 2: Wicking with Purpose and Performance
After labeling, it’s time to wick. Depending on the vessel and burn design, we use either cotton wicks or wooden wicks. For cotton options, we trust the Premier 700 Series from Black Tie Barn—pre-tabbed and perfect for single, double, or triple wick configurations. For our wood wick designs, we use the Ultimate Wick from Makesy, secured with clips from either Makesy or Amazon. Wicks are anchored using wick stickers and held in place with wick bars to ensure straight alignment during the pour. This step matters—because an off-center wick can wreck even the best candles.
Step 3: Blending the Wax and Watching the Temp
Our wax is a custom blend of Freedom Coconut Wax and ProFlex Soy Wax from American Soy Organics. It’s smooth, sustainable, and allows for a long burning candle with a rich scent throw. We heat the wax to around 175°F to ensure a smooth, unified blend. Then we let it cool naturally to 145°F before introducing any fragrance oils or dyes. This preserves the integrity of the scent and ensures an even mixture. The workshop is kept at 70–75°F throughout the pour and for the first 24 hours to ensure even setting and surface integrity. From day two through the end of our 10-day cure, the room stays between 65–75°F. Once the cure is complete, candles are stored between 60–78°F until sold—protecting both wax consistency and fragrance.
Step 4: The Final Pour and 10-Day Cure
Once the wax blend reaches 145°F and fragrance is added, we begin the pour. Every container is filled by hand, and the vessels are left to set undisturbed. During the 10-day cure, we inspect and trim each wooden wick or cotton wick to its final height. No lids are added during this time—this allows for proper air exchange and wax stabilization. We don’t use additives like stearic acid or crystalline to "perfect" the surface. Why? Because our candles are eco-friendly candles, not factory-stabilized products. Some minor frosting, surface variation, or wax adhesion marks may appear—but that’s not a flaw. That’s the hallmark of a clean, real, handcrafted product. Want to know why imperfections in natural candles are actually a good sign? Read more in our blog:
👉 3 Reasons Why Candle Imperfections Are a Sign of Quality
Step 5: From Cure to Shelf (Well, Shipping Shelf)
Once the 10-day cure is complete, lids are added and candles are stored in a temperature-controlled setting until purchase. As an e-commerce-only operation, we don’t use store shelves or retail displays—just shipping stations and Shopify carts. Each candle is visually inspected, labeled with its motivational message (like “Light it. Own it. Don’t wait another day.”), and logged into inventory. We stand by our product because we stand by our process. And we never hide what goes into your candle—or what stays out.
Want to Make Your Own?
If you're interested in starting your own candle journey, the best place to start is understanding your ingredients and equipment. We’ve even got a guide on how to reuse leftover wax or old vessels:
👉 6 Smart Ways to Use Every Drop
Whether you're looking to try your hand at DIY or just appreciate a well-made product, the Willis Candle Shop is proud to show you how we do things differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Willis Candle Shop candles different from mass-produced candles?
We hand-pour every candle in small batches, using only non-toxic, phthalate-free ingredients. Our process focuses on quality, consistency, and full transparency for a cleaner, safer burn every time.
Which wax and wicks do you use?
We use a custom coconut-soy wax blend from American Soy Organics, paired with Premier 700 Series cotton wicks or Ultimate Wick wooden wicks. All materials are carefully sourced for performance and safety.
How should I care for my Willis Candle Shop candle?
Always trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each burn, allow the wax to melt edge to edge, and avoid burning for more than 4 hours at a time to maximize longevity and scent throw.
This blog post is a work of nonfiction, created for educational and informational purposes based on the real-world expertise and practices of Willis Candle Shop.
