Cutting Fragrance Costs: Affordable Scented Candles

Making candles can be an expensive business, especially when it comes to fragrance oils, which are often the most costly ingredient. However, there are ways to keep costs down, such as buying in bulk, using smaller bottles, and keeping accurate records of how much fragrance is used in each batch.

Buy in bulk to keep costs down

Candle-making can be an expensive business, especially when it comes to fragrance oils, which are often the most costly ingredient in a candle. One way to keep costs down is to buy in bulk. If you're making a large number of candles, buying bigger bottles of fragrance oil will reduce the cost per candle. For example, if you buy a 16oz bottle of fragrance oil for $20.95 and each candle requires 0.80oz of oil, the cost of fragrance oil per candle works out at $1.05.

However, it's important to remember that buying in bulk only makes sense if you're making a lot of candles. Candle-making isn't very profitable in small quantities, so if you're only making a few, you might want to consider a different product. If you're just starting out, it's a good idea to buy sample bottles to test different scents before committing to a large quantity. Many suppliers offer samples, and some, like Candle Science, even have $1 samples with no limit on how many you can buy.

Once you've found a scent you like, you can buy a larger quantity to bring down the cost per candle. It's also worth signing up for emails from fragrance companies so you can stay up to date with any sales or promotions they're running. By keeping an eye out for deals, you can further reduce your costs.

In addition to buying in bulk, it's important to have a good understanding of your costs, target market, and perceived value. Knowing how much each candle costs to make, including supplies, equipment, and overhead, will help you price your candles competitively and ensure you're making a profit. With a bit of math and some careful planning, you can keep your fragrance costs down and make candle-making a profitable venture.

Make smaller candles

Making smaller candles is one way to get your fragrance costs down. If you're making candles in bulk, you can buy larger bottles of fragrance oil to reduce the cost per candle. For example, if you buy a 16 oz bottle of fragrance oil, you can make several smaller candles, such as 7-8 oz candles or even travel-sized tins. This will help you get your cost of goods down.

When pricing your candles, it's important to consider your costs, target market, and perceived value. Knowing your costs, including supplies, equipment, and overhead, is essential for making a profit and growing your business. To calculate the cost of fragrance oil per candle, you can use a candle calculator or do the calculations manually.

First, find the total amount paid for the individual fragrance, including shipping. Then, determine the total weight of the fragrance in the container it came from, in ounces. For example, if you bought a 16 oz bottle of fragrance oil for $20.95, and your candle requires 0.80 ounces of fragrance oil, the cost of fragrance oil per candle would be $1.05 (0.80 x $20.95 ÷ 16).

By making smaller candles and being mindful of your costs, you can reduce the fragrance cost per candle and potentially increase your profit margin.

Try sample bottles to find the right scent

One way to get your fragrance costs down when making candles is to try sample bottles to find the right scent. Many places sell samples, and some even offer them for $1. Candle Science, for example, sometimes does $1 samples with no limit. Aztec Candle Supply does 10 for $10 every month, but you can only use this offer once a month. You can sign up for emails from all the fragrance companies so you know when they have a sale on.

If you're making candles in bulk, buying bigger bottles will also help to bring the cost down. For example, if you buy 16 oz bottles, you'll get the cost down a bit more. However, you also need to consider the size of your candles. If you're making smaller candles, you might want to try 7-8 oz bottles or even travel-sized tins to get your cost of goods down.

It's also worth thinking about how much fragrance you're using in each candle. Fragrance oils, especially essential oils, are typically the most expensive unit in an average homemade candle. You can use a candle calculator to work out the right amount of fragrance oil to use in each candle. To use a candle calculator, enter the scent percentage, specify the container mass, and input the batch size. This will help you to use the right amount of fragrance oil and keep costs down.

Calculate the fragrance load

To calculate the fragrance load of your candles, you first need to measure how much wax you will be using. This should be measured in ounces or grams, depending on your preference. Once you have this number, you can use a fragrance load calculator to work out the fragrance load.

The fragrance load is the percentage of fragrance that your chosen wax can hold. This percentage is important because using too much fragrance can result in candles with dry or lumpy wax or even produce candles that do not hold a flame. Store-bought candles have a common fragrance load of 6%, whereas high-quality, handcrafted candles can have a fragrance load of up to 12%. However, this does depend on the type of candle wax you are using. Most candlewax has an average gravity of 0.86, meaning it is 86% the density of water.

If you are not using a fragrance load calculator, you can calculate the fragrance load manually. First, find the total amount paid for the individual fragrance, including shipping. Then, find the total weight of the fragrance in the container it came from, in ounces. For example, if your candle requires 0.80 ounces of fragrance oil, which came in a 16-ounce bottle for $20.95, the total fragrance oil cost for that candle is 0.80 x 20.95 ÷ 16 = $1.05.

It is also important to note that fragrance load and fragrance content are not interchangeable. Each fragrance varies in physical properties like colour, density and flash point, so every fragrance will affect your wax differently. Likewise, different waxes can have slightly different impacts on fragrances due to their gravity calculations.

Focus on your costs, target market and perceived value

To keep your costs down, you need to be buying in bulk. You should also consider making smaller candles, such as 7-8oz candles or travel-sized tins, as this will reduce your cost of goods. It's also a good idea to buy sample bottles to test out different scents before committing to a larger quantity.

When it comes to pricing your candles, it's important to focus on three key factors: your costs, target market, and perceived value. Knowing your costs, including supplies, equipment, and overhead, is crucial for making a profit and growing your business. For example, fragrance oils, especially essential oils, can be one of the most expensive components of a candle, so it's important to keep track of how much fragrance you're using in each batch.

To price your candles effectively, you need to consider your target market and the perceived value of your product. Planning around your target market will help you set the right price for your customer base. For instance, if you're selling luxury candles, you can charge a higher price point. On the other hand, if you're targeting a more budget-conscious market, you'll need to keep your costs down and set a lower price.

Additionally, it's important to calculate the total cost of your fragrance oil, including shipping. You can do this by finding the total weight of the fragrance in the container it came from and then calculating the cost per candle. By understanding your costs and target market, you can set a competitive price for your candles that reflects their value.

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