CAD-to-Candle: Parametric Design, Seam Strategy & Brand Reliefs

A calm, technical guide to turning brand geometry into sculptural candles—fast iterations, crisp molds, and photo-clean burns. Inspired by Up Candle Design.

Most “custom” stops at color. Real custom begins with form: a silhouette modeled in parametric CAD, refined as a printed master, then cast in platinum-silicone and burn-tested. When the pipeline is digital-to-physical in-house, details align—seams vanish, logos read tactile (not loud), and timelines stay sane.

Why Parametric CAD (Not Just “A Model”)

  • Edit once, update everywhere: change one dimension, the whole form adapts (wall thickness, draft, relief).

  • Consistent families: S / M / L variants keep proportions and wick positions coherent.

  • Tidy documentation: versioned files, measured features, and hand-off notes that production can trust.

  • Reusable DNA: your “signature” lives as parameters—ready for new editions without starting over.

Design For Molding (Seams You Don’t See)

  • Draft angles where wax releases cleanly without gouging edges.

  • Parting lines routed through shadow zones so seams photograph invisible.

  • Vents & gates placed for smooth fills—no starved corners, no sinkholes.

  • Demold ergonomics designed into the model so the mold actually lasts.

In-house control means the same team decides the seam, prints the master, and pours the wax.

Brand Reliefs That Read Premium (Not Shouty)

  • Depth sweet spot: ~0.3–0.6 mm in matte wax keeps marks crisp without catching soot.

  • Edge treatment: micro-chamfers prevent knife-edges that chip or glare.

  • Placement logic: reliefs on planes that meet light softly; never across seam lines.

  • Dual modes: tactile mark on wax or subtle engrave on the holder—pick one.

Shrink, Tolerance & Scale (Digital Numbers, Real Candles)

  • Plan for wax and silicone behavior: slight scale-up on the master keeps the final cast on-spec.

  • Allow insert clearance in CAD so the paper cradle fits perfectly—no rattle, no crush.

  • Keep a tolerance table (master → mold → cast → insert) that QC can audit.

Surface Strategy (How Matte Stays Matte)

  • Print the master in fine resin for sharp edges; refine under raking light.

  • Use primer + micro sand to even texture; aim for a stone-like matte that transfers to the mold.

  • Avoid glossy sealers that print into silicone and add glare to wax.

Wick Geometry Starts In CAD

  • Center points, offsets, and level planes are modeled, not guessed later.

  • For asymmetrical forms, planned wick bias prevents lopsided pools.

  • The testing loop (wick size/position → timed sessions) is documented against the CAD revision.

Insert & Packaging Co-Designed

  • Build the paper insert around the true outer geometry—support high points (ears, handles, reliefs).

  • Simulate finger holds and lift-clean behavior so staff can demo and re-nest without drama.

  • Keep everything mono-material where possible (paper-first, recyclable together).

Security & IP (Corporate-Friendly)

  • Private repo with version control, access logs, and export discipline (STL for print, STEP for archive).

  • Logo assets remain vector-clean; no third-party freelancers touching unreleased shapes.

  • A clear ownership clause so your signature silhouette stays yours.

A/B Prototyping That Actually Moves Fast

  • Spin two parameter sets (e.g., relief depth, height) and print both masters.

  • Run burn + photo tests side by side under the same light.

  • Freeze the spec: CAD rev + wick + pour temp + insert generation = reproducible runs.

Corporate Use Cases (Where CAD Shines)

  • Product silhouettes (bags, devices) simplified into sculptural lines—recognizable, tasteful.

  • Architecture motifs (arches, facades) with exact symmetry for press-clean images.

  • Edition families (S/M/L) that share DNA across seasons and gift tiers.

  • Museum & culture—precise reinterpretations that respect proportion.

What We Need To Start (Copy/Paste)

  • References (sketches/photos/brand geometry) and target footprint

  • Palette and scent stance (unscented vs. light)

  • Personalization level (named card, logo cue, optional QR)

  • Arrive-by window & destinations (single or multi-address)

We’ll return 2–3 CAD directions (with seam strategy), a mold plan, and tuned wick notes—plus packaging and microcopy in your voice.

Why Up Candle Design

  • In-house CAD, masters, platinum-silicone molds, pours, and burn testing

  • Paper-first inserts engineered from the real geometry

  • Human microcopy and photo-tested unboxing

  • Made in Kastav, Croatia · EU & worldwide shipping

Ready to turn brand geometry into a signature candle? Share your brief via Contact—let’s model, mold, and make it real.

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