Timelines & Costs: What to Expect with Custom Candle Projects

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

Planning a custom candle (logo pillar, designer-bag replica, wildlife figure) is smoother when you know the timeline, cost structure, and what speeds things up. Here’s a clear, client-friendly guide you can share with your team.

TL;DR — Fast Overview

  • Typical timelines: 3–6 weeks from approved design (simple) and 6–9+ weeks for complex, multi-part molds or large runs.

  • Cost structure: One-time setup (design, master, molds) + per-unit (wax, casting, finishing, packaging) + shipping.

  • Biggest accelerators: Quick approvals, realistic reference files (photos or STL/OBJ), and extra molds to parallelize casting.

What Drives the Timeline

  1. Complexity of form — undercuts, handles, deep textures = more mold parts.

  2. Method — CAD is fastest for revisions; hand-sculpt adds tactile beauty; 3D scan is great for replicas but needs cleanup.

  3. Mold architecture — more parts = more engineering time, but safer demolding.

  4. Finish & color — dark pigments and satin/matte finishes need specific pour temps and cooldown windows.

  5. Burn tests — we prototype wicks and blends to prevent tunneling/soot.

  6. Quantity & mold count — more molds = faster throughput without rushing cool cycles.

  7. Packaging — rigid gift boxes and custom inserts add lead time.

A Typical Project Timeline (By Phase)

Phase What Happens Typical Duration
Brief & Feasibility You send size (L×W×H), photos or STL/OBJ, quantity, date, color/scent, packaging. We confirm scope. 1–3 days
Design & 3D Development CAD / sculpt / scan cleanup; review rounds with marked visuals. 3–10 days
Master Making High-res print + hand finishing (sanding, sealing, edge crisping, micro-texture if needed). 3–7 days
Mold Making Platinum-cure silicone mold(s) + rigid mother-mold; seam, vent, funnel engineering. 4–8 days
Prototypes & Burn Tests Cast samples, run burns (2–3 cycles), tune wick/wax/color. 3–7 days
Production Multi-mold casting, cooling, demold, trim, polish, QC. 5–14+ days (depends on qty/mold count)
Packaging & Dispatch Boxing, inserts, labeling; freight hand-off. 2–5 days

Express options: We can shorten production by cloning molds and running parallel casting lines (adds mold cost, not labor risk).

Cost Model (How We Build Your Quote)

One-Time Setup (CapEx)

  • Design & Modeling (CAD / sculpt / scan cleanup)

  • Master Making (3D print + hand finishing)

  • Mold System (platinum-cure silicone + mother-mold; extra sets if you need speed)

Per-Unit (OpEx)

  • Wax blend & pigment, wick, casting time, finishing (seam refinement, base leveling)

  • Packaging (minimal kraft vs. rigid gift box, inserts, labels)

  • QC & handling, freight materials

What Lowers Unit Cost

  • Higher quantity (economies of scale)

  • Fewer color variants

  • Packaging standardization

  • Approvals in one consolidated round

Indicative Budget Bands (EUR, For Planning)

(Final quotes depend on size/complexity.)

Line Item Typical Band
Design / 3D Development €250–€1,200
Master (print + finishing) €120–€450
First Mold Set (silicone + mother-mold) €180–€650
Additional Identical Mold (each) €120–€350
Prototype & Burn Testing €90–€280
Per-Unit Casting & Finishing (small–medium piece) €7–€28
Branded Kraft Packaging (simple) €1–€4
Rigid Gift Box + Insert €4–€12
Freight & Insurance (destination-dependent) Quoted

Throughput math: 1 mold ≈ 1–3 casts/day depending on size and cooldown. More molds = faster delivery without compromising quality.

Scenario Planning (Examples)

A) Micro Launch / PR Drop (30–50 units)

  • 1 master + 1–2 molds, single color

  • 1 design round, simple kraft packaging

  • Timeline: ~4–6 weeks

  • Why: Great for brand teasers, influencer kits.

B) Campaign Run (100–200 units)

  • 1 master + 2–4 molds, one or two colors

  • Burn-tested spec + branded packaging

  • Timeline: ~5–7 weeks

  • Why: Launch events, retail pop-ups, corporate gifting.

C) Retail Edition (300–500+ units)

  • 1 master + 4–8 molds (or more), standardized packaging

  • Color QA under multiple lighting temps

  • Timeline: ~6–9+ weeks

  • Why: Ongoing sales, museum/shop collabs, seasonal drops.

How to Keep Things Fast & Cost-Smart

  • Send clean inputs: size, L×W×H; front/side photos or STL/OBJ; target color; quantity; date.

  • Batch feedback: one consolidated approval round beats five small ones.

  • Pick finish early: matte vs. satin affects wax and pour temps.

  • Consider one hero color: multiple colors add setup and QC time.

  • Add molds, not rush: parallel molds speed output safely; rushing cool cycles risks defects.

Payment & Logistics (Typical)

  • Milestones: deposit at kickoff; balance before dispatch (or split by phase for larger runs).

  • Shipping: EU & worldwide options; fragile-goods packing; tracking provided.

  • Care Cards: included—wick trim (≈5 mm), 2–3 h burn sessions, draft-free placement, never unattended.

Ready To Scope Your Project?

Email your brief via Contact us:

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

  • Quantity & deadline/event date

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

  • Packaging (minimal kraft or rigid gift box)

We’ll reply with feasibility, timeline options (including express via extra molds), and a clear, itemized quote.

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