Am I Using the Right Candle Mould?

acrylic vs silicone candle moulds

Silicone vs. Acrylic Candle Moulds: Which Is Best?

The right candle mould is essential for making the type of candles you would like. Candle Deli stocks both silicone and acrylic candle moulds. Each type offers distinct advantages that will influence the overall outcome of your candle-making process.

To help you make an informed decision, let’s explore the differences between silicone and acrylic moulds. Understanding their differences will make you select the best option to meet your specific needs.

How Silicone Candle Moulds Differ from Acrylic

Silicone and acrylic candle moulds each offer unique advantages for candle making. Silicone moulds are soft and flexible, making them perfect for intricate designs and unusual shapes.

On the other hand, acrylic moulds are rigid, made from a hard transparent plastic. This limits their design to classic candle shapes.

Don’t forget to use quality candle wicks.  Match the wick size to the diameter of the candle to ensure that your candles burn beautifully. For high-quality moulds, check out Candle Deli’s selection, where you can find a variety of both silicone and acrylic candle moulds.

Durability: Which Mould Lasts Longer?

Silicone candle moulds have fairly good durability. With proper care, these moulds can last through many uses, even if you’re making candles frequently.  What is “proper care”?  When it comes to silicone candle moulds, it is important to use wax without any additives, like stearic acid.  Stearic acid damages the silicone and will eventually damage the fine detail of the design.

Acrylic candle moulds are extremely durable.   They can withstand high temperatures, and they are not damaged by common wax additives like stearic acid.  Candle makers who would like to make long burning, dripless candles generally prefer using acrylic candle moulds.

User-Friendliness: Silicone vs. Acrylic

Silicone moulds are user-friendly. Because of their flexibility, candles can be removed easily by simply peeling away the candle mould.  Silicone candle moulds are an excellent choice if you’d like to make complex designs.

The secret to using acrylic moulds is to add stearic acid to your candle wax.  The candles will simply slide out. Acrylic candle moulds are the best option if you’re making classic candle shapes.

Design Flexibility: Which Mould Works Best?

If you’re looking to create detailed, intricate candle designs, silicone is your best option. The soft material can handle complex shapes, allowing you to experiment with patterns and textures.

Acrylic moulds are better for simple, classic shapes. Their rigid structure is less forgiving with fine details, so they’re best suited for straightforward designs. While you can still make attractive candles with acrylic candle moulds, you might find it limiting if you want to create unique or elaborate shapes.

Which Mould Works Best with Various Waxes?

When choosing between silicone and acrylic candle moulds, it’s important to consider how each type performs with different kinds of wax. Silicone candle moulds work best with IW3F wax or beeswax.

Acrylic moulds, available at Candle Deli, are best suited for paraffin wax and IW3F wax blended with stearic acid.