DIY candle Molds: Creating Silicone Molds for Candle Making

Once you’ve mastered the techniques of making candles using silicone molds, you may find yourself wanting to expand into designing your own custom molds to use with your candles. This technique not only enables candle makers to design unique shapes and textures but also ensures a high-quality finish that sets their homemade candles apart. Whether you’re a hobbyist or an entrepreneur in the candle business, mastering silicone mold-making can elevate your candle-making projects, making them truly one-of-a-kind.

How to Make Silicone Molds for Candles: Key Takeaways

Silicone molds enable candle makers to create unique shapes and textures, enhancing the quality and uniqueness of homemade candles, suitable for both hobbyists and entrepreneurs.
Essential materials for making silicone molds include silicone rubber (like RTV or two-part silicone kits), a mold release agent, a master model, a mold box, mixing tools, protective gear, a knife or scalpel, and a scale or measuring cup.
Choosing the right type of silicone is crucial; tin cure silicone is less expensive and easier for beginners, while platinum cure silicone offers better heat resistance and detail capture for advanced projects.
Silicone molds can be made in two main styles: one-piece molds for simpler designs and two-piece molds for complex shapes, each suited to different candle designs.
The mold-making process involves selecting a master model, setting up a mold box, mixing and pouring silicone rubber, curing, and then removing and cleaning the mold for candle making.
To maintain silicone molds, clean them gently after each use, store them flat in a cool, dry place, and regularly inspect for wear, ensuring longevity and quality in candle making.

What Materials Do You Need to Make Silicone Candle Molds?

Creating silicone molds for candle making requires specific materials to ensure a successful and efficient process. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need:

Silicone Rubber: This is the primary material used for mold making. There are different types of silicone rubber available, so choose one that suits your project’s needs. Some popular choices for candle molds include RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) silicone and two-part silicone kits.
Mold Release Agent: This helps in easily removing the finished candle from the mold. There are various mold release agents available, but make sure to choose one that is compatible with your silicone and the type of wax you’re using.
Master Model: The item you want to replicate in wax. This could be an existing candle, a sculpted model, a 3D printed object, or any other item that can withstand the silicone molding process.
Mold Box or Container: This holds the silicone rubber while it sets around the master model. The container should be slightly larger than the master model and can be made from plastic, acrylic, or even cardboard lined with a plastic sheet.
Mixing Tools: These include mixing sticks or spatulas and measuring cups for accurately combining and mixing the silicone components.
Protective Gear: Safety should always be a priority. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the silicone, especially if you have sensitive skin. Also, work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes.
Knife or Scalpel: For cutting and trimming the cured silicone mold.
Scale or Graduated Measuring Cup: To measure the silicone components accurately, especially if you’re using a two-part silicone that requires equal parts mixing.

What Silicone Should I Use?

Selecting the right type of silicone for mold-making in candle crafting involves understanding various types and their specific properties. The decision between tin cure and platinum cure silicones, as well as choosing between liquid and solid forms, significantly impacts the mold’s effectiveness and detail fidelity.

Tin Cure vs. Platinum Cure Silicone

Tin cure silicone, also known as condensation cure, is typically less expensive and easier to work with. It’s suitable for many projects but can experience cure inhibition with certain materials, such as sulfur-based clay, resulting in incomplete curing. This type of silicone also has a shorter shelf life and may shrink slightly over time.

On the other hand, platinum cure silicone, known for its superior quality, offers better heat resistance and less shrinkage. It’s more resistant to cure inhibition but is also more sensitive to contamination and generally carries a higher price tag. Platinum cure silicone is preferable for projects where you’re making a mold of something with a material that inhibits the curing of tin silicones. For candles, tin cure silicone is generally recommended.

Shore Hardness

The firmness of the silicone, measured by Shore hardness, is crucial in balancing strength and flexibility. A lower Shore A hardness indicates a softer, more flexible silicone, ideal for delicate designs with small parts due to how flexible and soft it is, but it may be more fragile. Conversely, a higher Shore A hardness results in a sturdier mold that lasts longer and doesn’t scratch or tear as easily, but it can be hard to manipulate and can make demolding intricate designs more challenging.

Liquid Silicone vs. Solid Silicone

Liquid silicone excels in capturing high detail and intricate textures, making it ideal for complex designs. However, its fluid nature can make it more challenging to work with, requiring precision to avoid air bubbles and uneven layers. Solid silicone, on the other hand, is generally easier and more forgiving, especially for beginners. While it’s excellent for simpler designs, solid silicone might not capture the fine details as effectively as its liquid counterpart, and you may not be able to create deeper or taller candles with it.

Your choice of silicone should be guided by the complexity of your candle design, the materials you’re working with, and your level of experience. Tin cure silicone is a good starting point for beginners and less complex projects, while platinum cure silicone is better suited for advanced projects requiring heat resistance and intricate detail capture. Liquid silicone is the go-to for high-detail work, whereas solid silicone is more user-friendly for straightforward designs.

Types of Silicone Molds

Different shapes require different approaches when making silicone molds. Simpler shapes with a flat face can easily be made with a simpler one-piece silicone mold, while more complex designs with variable shapes and sharp undercuts may be better suited to the versatile two-piece silicone mold.

One-Piece Silicone Molds

One-piece silicone molds, or open-face molds, are the easiest type of silicone mold to make. Ideal for simpler candle designs, they are perfect for beginners or designs that require a flat base. However, they might not be suitable for candles with intricate undercuts or non-flat surfaces.

One-piece silicone molds are made by leaving an open side exposed when you pour your mold, which will similarly be left open when you go to pour your candles. As most candle designs are fairly simple or have flat surfaces on which the candle is meant to rest, the vast majority of candle molds will be open-faced.

Two-Piece Silicone Molds

Two-piece molds are excellent for complex candle shapes without a flat side or candle shapes with sharp, steep angles. They split into two halves, forming a fillable cavity that captures detailed designs accurately, using either a sprue hole or a cap to pour wax in. Though more complex to make and use, they offer greater versatility in design.

Step-By-Step Guide to Making Silicone Molds for Candle Making

Creating your own silicone molds for candle making is a rewarding process that allows for unique and personalized candle designs. Follow these detailed steps to craft your molds:

Select and Prepare Your Master Model: Begin by choosing a master model — the item you wish to replicate in wax. This could be anything from an intricately designed figurine to a simple geometric shape. Ensure the model is clean and dry. If it’s a porous material like wood, seal it with a clear sealer to prevent silicone from sticking. If your master model is itself silicone, a mold release agent will prevent your mold from fusing with your master.
Set Up Your Mold Box: Construct a mold box around your master model. This can be made from non-porous materials like plastic or acrylic. Ensure the box is slightly larger than your master model, leaving a gap of at least half an inch around it. Secure the master model to the base of the box using clay or a hot glue gun.
Mix the Silicone Rubber: If you’re using a two-part silicone rubber, measure out equal parts of each component using a scale or measuring cups. Mix them thoroughly in a clean container until the mixture is uniform in color. Avoid creating air bubbles while mixing.
Pour the Silicone: Slowly pour the mixed silicone over your master model in the mold box. Start from the lowest point and let the silicone flow over the model, ensuring all sides are covered and there are no air bubbles. Aim for at least a quarter-inch of silicone above the highest point of the model, as a thin layer of silicone is more likely to tear.
Cure the Silicone: Leave the silicone to cure as per the manufacturer’s instructions — this can vary from a few hours to a day. The silicone should be firm and not sticky when it’s fully cured.
Remove the Mold: Once cured, carefully remove the mold from the box. Gently cut and peel away the silicone to release your master model. If you’re making a two-part mold, cut the silicone mold in half with a sharp knife, ensuring a clean cut.
Clean and Finish the Mold: Clean any leftover bits of the master model from the silicone mold. Trim any excess silicone from the edges for a clean finish. Your mold is now ready for candle making.
Test Your Mold: Before proceeding with bulk candle making, it’s a good idea to do a test pour. Check for leaks or any areas where the wax might get trapped. Make adjustments if necessary.
Wax Pouring: Once satisfied, you can start using your new silicone mold for candle making. Remember to place your wick properly and pour the wax at the right temperature.

By following these steps, you can create custom silicone molds tailored to your candle-making projects, adding a unique touch to your crafts or product line.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Making Silicone Candle Molds

Making silicone molds can be challenging, with a number of places you can go wrong. When making silicone molds for candles, keep an eye out for these possible problems:

Air Bubbles Forming in the Silicone

Air pockets are a fact of life when making silicone molds, but there are a number of ways to mitigate them or work around them. If your candle molds keep turning out with unsightly pockmarks, try one of the following strategies:

Ensure you’re mixing the silicone gently. When you combine part A and part B of liquid silicone, you should take care to stir gently and without raising your stirring stick from the mixture so as to avoid introducing air. Take it slow and steady, focusing on scraping the bottoms and sides so the chemicals are thoroughly mixed.
Pour the silicone from two feet above your mold box or higher, forming the thinnest pouring string possible. This creates a stream of silicone too thin for bubbles to stay in, reducing the number of bubbles in the candle mold overall. Make sure you pour in the same place as much as possible, or more air may become trapped.
Torch the silicone with a lighter or heat gun. Doing so will make the silicone thinner and pop the biggest bubbles, improving your final product. Just be aware that applying too much direct heat to the silicone can cause a fire, burn the silicone, or accelerate the cure, ruining your mold.
Use a vacuum chamber to draw the air out of the mold. After you pour your silicone into the mold box with your master, place it in a vacuum chamber and remove the air. This will cause all the air to bubble out of the mold, resulting in a smooth, bubble-free finish.
Use a pressure pot to compress all air bubbles. Using a pressure pot set to between 35 and 60 PSI will crush any bubbles in your silicone mold, ultimately achieving the same effect as a vacuum chamber.
Use a heat gun on the surface of your finished candle after de-molding to smooth away any pocks or blemishes. If you want to salvage a mold that has blemishes on the surface, using a heat source to re-melt the wax on the surface of your candle can get you a polished and finished surface without the hassle of starting over.

If you find yourself making a large number of candle molds, a pressure pot or vacuum chamber may be a good investment. However, it’s perfectly possible to make high-quality candle molds without these tools.

Silicone Not Curing After It’s Poured

If your silicone doesn’t cure when you make a candle mold, there are a few possible reasons why.

The temperature and humidity in your workspace are wrong. Silicone needs a warm temperature to cure, with low humidity. If your silicone fails to cure, first ensure the temperature in your crafting space is appropriate to achieve a full cure.
Your silicone was mixed or measured incorrectly. If your silicone fails to cure, check that you followed the mixing instructions for your chosen silicone. Some silicones should be measured by volume, while others are measured by weight, so be sure you read the instructions thoroughly before you start. Additionally, your silicone can fail to cure if it isn’t mixed thoroughly, so make sure you’re mixing the silicone until the color is clear and even, approximately 2–5 minutes.
Your silicone has expired. If your silicone is used beyond its recommended shelf-life, it may fail to cure. Make sure you check the expiration date on any silicone you buy or use to prevent complications with your mold.
Your mold master is inhibiting your silicone curing. The telltale sign of cure inhibition is if the rest of the silicone mold is solid, but the area in contact with your “master” is still tacky or wet. You may need to use a different type of silicone (such as tin cure or platinum cure) or use a spray sealant to coat your master model and protect the silicone from its surface.

Silicone Sticking to the Master Model When Removed

To prevent your silicone mold from sticking to your master model, use a mold release spray. Mold release spray is a fine coating of specialized oil designed to create a thin barrier between your silicone and your model, preventing sticking without majorly impacting the texture of the mold. Vaseline can also be used, but it may affect the surface texture of your candles when you cast them.

There are a number of other possible issues you may run into in the process of making a silicone mold, but the results are rewarding and worth the effort!

Tips for Maintaining Silicone Molds

Proper care extends the life of silicone molds significantly. After each use, gently clean the mold with mild soap and warm water, avoiding harsh chemicals and abrasive scrubbers. Rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry completely before storage. Store the molds flat in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent warping or degradation of the silicone.

Regularly inspect the molds for signs of wear, such as thinning or tears. If using a mold release agent, apply it sparingly to avoid residue buildup. Handle the molds gently, especially when releasing candles, to avoid stretching or damaging them. With these simple yet effective maintenance steps, your silicone molds will remain in top condition, ready for your next candle-making project.

Make Beautiful Custom Candle Molds to Elevate Your Candles

Exploring the process of making silicone molds for candle making reveals its simplicity and potential for creativity. This technique enhances the candle-making experience, allowing for unique designs and personalized touches. By mastering this skill, candle makers can expand their repertoire and bring a new level of artistry to their creations. Remember, the key to successful silicone mold making lies in patience, precision, and a touch of creativity. Embrace the process and watch your candle designs come to life with your very own silicone molds.