Today’s customers use candles to decorate their rooms and enhance the ambiance of their spaces. Moreover, candles play a significant role in festivals, celebrations, and religious observances in many countries. Thus, even though candles can easily break or melt during shipping, customers still want to receive their candles in perfect condition. Therefore, if you’re a candle business owner who frequently ships candles, you need to pack them properly. How to ship candles safely? Let’s explore the right way, from A to Z!
Step-by-Step to Ship Candles
Decorative candles have become increasingly popular in homes and businesses worldwide. In fact, the global candle market is projected to reach approximately $8.98 billion in 2025. The U.S. market alone is expected to contribute around $2.24 billion to this total. Yet, shipping candles can be tricky, as they are delicate and can break or melt easily.
To help you out, below are the steps you should follow for safe shipping of candles.
Candle Prep
The first thing you should do is to get your supplies for candle prep, which include:
- Bio peanuts: A great eco-friendly option for filling the extra space in your packages.
- Crinkle or kraft paper: Kraft paper can also be an excellent candle wrapper.
- Corrugated or honeycomb cardboard wrap: Effectively cushions candles during shipping.
- Bubble wrap: Absorb shock during movement.
- Boxes: Look for durable, customized options, such as premium rigid boxes.
- Packing tape: You’ll want a good supply once you start shipping orders.
- Shipping labels: Help carriers handle your candles accordingly.
Pack Each Candle Securely
Candles seem very sturdy, but they can be damaged in transit if they’re not packed correctly. To ensure safe shipping, wrap your candles in shock-absorbing material, then fill any remaining space in durable candle boxes.
But wait, what is the best packaging for shipping candles?
You can opt for small boxes to save on shipping costs and reduce the amount of cushioning needed.
Once you’re happy with your package and your candle seems secure, you should test it before sending it. How? Throw it around! Well, unfortunately, not everyone will handle your package with the same care you do. Thus, you should test the packaging by throwing it around to ensure your candle is safe and secure.
Keep Them Safe from High Temperatures
Need to ship candles in the summer?
Your candle orders have to keep going, whether in the summer or winter, right?
How do you ship candles without melting them?
The wax you used to produce your candles can soften, lose its shape, and melt more quickly. In the worst case, it can even lead to a condition known as “sweating,” where oils separate from the wax. Then again, who wants to receive melted candles?
If you need to ship candles in the summer, consider using insulation like thermal liners or cool shield bubble wrap. Also, you can pack them with frozen gel packs or ice packs. Eventually, you can choose custom boxes with EVA foam inserts to ship multiple candles securely and stylishly.
Create an On-Brand Unboxing Experience
Delivering a memorable unboxing experience is essential for any business, and candles are not an exception.
For most people, candles are a boost to spice up the ambiance. Why not level up on that sense of excitement by creating an unboxing experience to match?
To make every unboxing experience on-brand, you can customize the materials when packing your candles.
For example:
- Consider colored tissue paper that reflects the scent of your candles inside.
- Customize your boxes with your artwork, brand’s logo, and polish them with special finishes like hot foiling or matte lamination.
Don’t forget that customers love to present beautiful candles as gifts. You can address their gift-wrapping hassles by opting for custom gift boxes as well.
Overall, the sky’s the limit when it comes to creating a memorable unboxing experience for your customers.
Add a Personal Touch
To appreciate loyal customers who purchase your candles monthly, consider including a personalized thank-you note in subscription boxes. This small gesture can foster a deeper connection with your customers and encourage repeat business.
Elevate Your Business with Custom Labels
Having your brand’s logo printed on your boxes can quickly elevate your business. Even better, you can make more people familiar with your candle business by using sleek, custom embossed boxes.
For a more affordable option, custom labels can turn a quality candle into a beautiful decorative piece your customers will love. You can place them directly onto candle jars or on exterior packaging. Remember to include a main label with the statement of identity, net weight, and company information, a warning label with safety instructions, and the customer’s address.
Ultimately, custom labels serve as an easy yet effective way to ship your candles.
Calculate the Shipping Costs
Now it’s time to calculate the shipping cost of your candles. Calculating shipping costs and figuring out how to charge your customers for them can be difficult. No one likes paying extra for shipping. Thus, finding a balance between not losing your profit and not losing sales is tricky.
How much does it cost to ship candles?
The cost you’ll pay varies depending on the box style. Yes, whether you use two-piece boxes or magnetic closure, the style significantly influences shipping costs. Carriers like UPS and FedEx use dimensional weight pricing, meaning larger boxes can cost more to ship, even if they are light.
Simply put, a well-designed box style can lead to significant cost savings by minimizing weight, size, and the need for extra packaging materials. Alternatively, you can choose rigid boxes wholesale as they offer cost-effective yet durable packaging solution.
Summing Up
No doubt, shipping candles can be tricky, as they are delicate and can break or melt easily. From candle prep and packing each candle securely to keeping them safe from high temperatures and creating an on-brand unboxing experience, to calculating shipping costs, every step needs to be done carefully. Hopefully, our step-by-step guide above helps you tackle all the hassles that might occur.
Happy candle shipping!
FAQs
How to pack candles securely for shipping?
To ensure safe shipping, wrap your candles in shock-absorbing material, then fill any remaining space in a durable box.
What is the best packaging for shipping candles?
You can opt for small candle boxes to save on shipping costs and reduce the amount of cushioning needed.
How much does it cost to ship candles?
The cost you’ll pay varies depending on the box style. Carriers like UPS and FedEx use dimensional weight pricing, meaning larger boxes can cost more to ship, even if they are light.
How do you ship candles without melting them?
To ship candles in the summer, consider using insulation like thermal liners or cool shield bubble wrap. Also, you can pack them with frozen gel packs or ice packs.
