3D Scan vs. Hand-Sculpt vs. CAD: Choosing the Best Path for Custom Molds

Custom molded candles · bespoke silicone molds · sculptural soy candles — made in Croatia, shipped worldwide.

Designing a custom candle starts long before wax touches a mold. Your first big decision is how to create the master form: 3D Scan, Hand-Sculpt, or CAD modeling. Each path affects cost, timeline, detail, and how beautifully the candle burns. Here’s a practical guide to help you choose (plus when to mix methods for the best results).

TL;DR — Quick Picks

  • Have a real object you want reproduced (bag, bottle, statue)? → 3D Scan or Scan + CAD cleanup

  • Need perfect symmetry, crisp edges, logos, or type? → CAD (NURBS/mesh)

  • Chasing organic soul (animals, figurative, botanicals) or subtle “hand” texture? → Hand-Sculpt (optionally scanned for backup)

  • Tight deadline with lots of revisions expected? → CAD

  • Texture-forward, tactile finish for premium lookbooks? → Hand-Sculpt + Silicone that preserves micro-detail

  • Complex undercuts/handles/straps that must demold cleanly? → CAD base for engineering + Hand-Sculpt or Scan for surface

What Each Method Actually Means

1) 3D Scan (Photogrammetry or Structured Light)

What it is: We digitize your physical object to capture geometry and texture.
Best for: Product replicas, heritage pieces, organic forms already made.
Strengths:

  • Faithful proportions and character of the original

  • Fast if the object is handy and scannable

  • Great starting point for hybrid workflows (scan → CAD cleanup → print)

Watch-outs:

  • Reflective, glossy, or very dark surfaces scan poorly (we may mat-coat temporarily)

  • Thin straps/handles often need reinforcement or CAD re-build for safe burning/demolding

  • Raw scans need cleanup, watertight topology, and candle engineering (base, wall thickness, wick channel)

2) Hand-Sculpt (Clay/Wax/Resin)

What it is: Traditional sculpting for maximum artistic control and tactility.
Best for: Animals, figures, organic drapery, subtle leather grain—anything that must feel alive.
Strengths:

  • Human decisions that cameras miss; beautiful light roll and micro-textures

  • We can sculpt burn behavior into the form (stable base, melt paths)

  • Unique “studio” character ideal for premium editions

Watch-outs:

  • Revisions are slower than digital

  • Perfect bilateral symmetry takes longer

  • We’ll often scan the finished sculpture to archive and iterate later

3) CAD (NURBS/Mesh Modeling)

What it is: Digital modeling for precision geometry and parametric control.
Best for: Logos, monograms, geometric objects, bottle/bag forms with clean lines, symmetry, repeatability.
Strengths:

  • Fast revisions (dimensions, angles, fillets)

  • Built-in candle engineering: wick channel, base stability, demold angles, seam placement

  • Perfect for MOQs where consistency matters

Watch-outs:

  • Can feel “too sterile” without added micro-texture

  • Organic softness usually needs sculpt pass or a scanned texture overlay

Comparison at a Glance

Criteria 3D Scan Hand-Sculpt CAD (NURBS/Mesh)
Fidelity to an existing object Excellent (with cleanup) Good–Excellent (interpretive) Good–Excellent (if dimensions supplied)
Texture & “soul” Good (depends on source) Outstanding Good (add sculpted micro-texture)
Symmetry & crisp edges Good (post-CAD cleanup) Moderate (time-intensive) Excellent
Revision speed Moderate Slow–Moderate Fast
Engineering control (demold, wick, base) Good (after CAD pass) Good (manual) Excellent
Typical use cases Replicas, heritage, organics Figuratives, botanicals, art objects Logos, product forms, geometric pieces
Budget (relative) $$–$$$ $$–$$$ $–$$$
Timeline (relative) Medium Medium–Long Short–Medium

(Relative ranges vary by size/complexity; we’ll quote precisely after a quick feasibility check.)

Burn Engineering Matters (Whatever You Choose)

A stunning candle must also burn beautifully. We factor in:

  • Wick sizing & channel aligned to volume and cross-section

  • Base stability and center of mass (no topples)

  • Wall thickness and melt-path planning (reduces tunneling/sooting)

  • Seam placement along shadow lines for easier finishing

  • Multi-part platinum-cure silicone molds + rigid mother-molds for clean demolding

Hybrid Workflows We Love

  • Scan → CAD Cleanup → Print
    Keep the object’s soul while fixing thin elements and adding engineering features.

  • CAD Base → Hand-Sculpt Pass
    Lock symmetry and dimensions, then add organic softness and micro-texture by hand.

  • Hand-Sculpt → Scan Archive
    Preserve your master for future sizes, edits, and re-runs without resculpting.

Choosing by Project Type

  • Designer Bag / Bottle / Logo Mark → CAD for edges + scan or sculpt for subtle textures

  • Wildlife / Figurative / Botanical → Hand-Sculpt, optionally scanned for scale changes

  • Complex Undercuts (handles/straps) → CAD engineering to ensure safe demolding

  • Urgent PR Run → CAD-first to accelerate revisions and mold replication

What Affects Cost & Lead Time

  • Size & part count (mold complexity, silicone volume)

  • Surface detail & target finish (matte vs. textured)

  • Quantity & packaging (kraft vs. rigid gift box, inserts)

  • Color matching & optional scent

  • Shipping destination (EU/World)

Our Deliverables (Typical)

  • Engineered 3D file (if digital path used)

  • 3D printed, finished master

  • Platinum-cure silicone molds (+ mother-molds)

  • Prototype casts & burn tests with notes

  • Production run: trimmed, polished, and gift-ready packaging options

Ready to Start? Send a Quick Brief

  • Target size (L×W×H) & reference photos or STL/OBJ

  • Quantity & deadline/event date

  • Wax (soy/beeswax/blend), color, optional scent

  • Packaging preference (minimal kraft vs. rigid gift box)

→ Contact us and we’ll recommend the best path—Scan, Hand-Sculpt, CAD, or a hybrid—for your budget and timeline.

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