When you light a candle from Tulsa Candle Co., you're not just enjoying a fragrant ambiance—you're experiencing a carefully crafted creation that has undergone a meticulous journey from concept to final product. Have you ever wondered what goes into the creation of your favorite candle? The process is as intricate as it is rewarding, blending art, science, and a touch of intuition. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain to give you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how a new candle comes to life, step by step.
1. Scent Development: The Foundation of Every Candle
The heart of every candle is its scent. At Tulsa Candle Co., we believe that scent development is where the magic begins. Before a wick is trimmed or wax is poured, the very first step is to create the perfect fragrance. This process is more art than science, requiring a deep understanding of the complexities of fragrance oils.
Sampling Fragrance Oils Individually
The journey begins with a selection of fragrance oils. Each oil is sampled individually to understand its unique notes—top, middle, and base. This is a crucial step because each note plays a role in how the scent unfolds over time as the candle burns. The top notes hit first, giving the initial impression. Middle notes form the core of the scent, and base notes linger the longest, providing depth.
Combining Fragrances for the Perfect Blend
Once we have a good understanding of each fragrance oil, the blending process begins. Here, multiple fragrance oils are combined to either enhance or transform specific notes. This stage is experimental, with endless possibilities. For example, a woodsy oakmoss scent might be combined with a hint of amber to add warmth, or perhaps a floral rose note is balanced with a bit of sandalwood to create a more grounded fragrance. The goal is to create a scent that is both complex and harmonious, evoking a specific mood or memory.
Refining the Blend
The initial combinations are just the beginning. From here, each blend is refined, often through multiple rounds of adjustments. This could mean adding a few more drops of one oil, reducing another, or even introducing a new element to achieve the perfect balance. It’s a process of trial and error, but the end result is a signature scent that’s both unique and true to our brand.
2. Candle Testing: Perfecting the Burn
Once the scent is perfected, the next critical step is testing the candle itself. This stage ensures that the candle not only smells amazing but also burns beautifully from start to finish.
Selecting the Right Wick
Wick selection is crucial for a well-burning candle. The wrong wick can cause tunneling (where only a small portion of the wax melts) or result in too much or too little scent throw. At Tulsa Candle Co., we rigorously test different wick sizes and materials to find the one that works best with each specific fragrance and wax type. It’s important to achieve a good melt pool while also ensuring a steady, consistent burn.
Burn Test and Scent Throw Evaluation
With the wick selected, the candle undergoes a burn test. We light the candle and let it burn for several hours, monitoring how it performs. Does the wick stay centered? Is there wax 'hung up' (or stuck) on the side of the jar? How strong is the scent throw? Ideally, the candle should fill a room with its fragrance without being overpowering, and the scent should remain consistent throughout the entire burn time.
Adjusting for Perfection
If the candle doesn't meet our standards, adjustments are made. This could mean changing the wick size, tweaking the fragrance blend, or adjusting the wax formula. Each candle is tested multiple times to ensure that when it reaches you, it’s nothing short of perfect.
3. Naming the Scent: A Creative Process
With a scent developed and tested, the next step is to give it a name. Naming a candle is more than just a fun exercise—it’s an essential part of the product’s identity.
Descriptive Names Based on Fragrance Notes
At Tulsa Candle Co., we prefer descriptive names that highlight the primary notes in the candle. For example, a candle featuring oakmoss and amber is simply named "Oakmoss & Amber." This straightforward approach helps customers quickly identify what they’re looking for, especially if they have a preference for certain scents. Descriptive names are also more evocative, giving a clear indication of what to expect before the candle is even lit.
Creative Names for Limited Editions
While descriptive names are our go-to, we also love getting creative with names for limited edition or seasonal candles. These names often reflect the mood or inspiration behind the scent. For instance, "Autumn Sunshine" from our 2023 fall collection was designed to evoke the feeling of a crisp, sunny day during autumn. These creative names add an element of fun and surprise, making these candles even more special.
Finalizing the Name
The naming process usually involves brainstorming several options, discussing them as a team, and considering customer feedback. The goal is to choose a name that resonates with the scent, the season, and our brand’s overall aesthetic. Once the perfect name is chosen, it’s time to move on to the visual elements of the candle.
4. Color Selection: Bringing the Scent to Life Visually
Color plays a significant role in the presentation of our candles, even though we don’t add color to the wax itself. Instead, we use color in the label design to represent the scent and collection it belongs to.
Creating a Seasonal Color Palette
Each season, we create a color palette that represents the overall collection. This palette is carefully curated to reflect the moods and themes of the season. For example, a winter collection might feature deep, rich hues like burgundy and navy, while a summer collection could include vibrant, lively colors like coral and turquoise.
Assigning Colors to Each Scent
Within the seasonal palette, each scent is assigned a specific color. The scent itself heavily influences this decision. Some scents have an inherent color association—lavender might be paired with a soft purple, while a citrus scent could be represented by a bright yellow. The goal is to create a sense of harmony between the scent and its visual representation.
Ensuring Consistency and Cohesion
It’s important that the colors not only represent the individual scents but also work well together as a collection. This consistency helps create a cohesive look when the candles are displayed together, whether on a store shelf or in your home. We often experiment with different shades and combinations to find the perfect match that enhances the overall aesthetic.
5. Label Design: The Final Touch
The label is the first thing you see when you pick up a candle, so it needs to make a lasting impression. At Tulsa Candle Co., we put a lot of thought into our label designs to ensure they are both visually appealing and representative of the scent inside.
Designing Labels In-House
All of our label designs are created in-house by Erin (a true one-woman show!). The process starts with a concept that captures the essence of the scent. For example, a candle with a fresh, oceanic scent might feature a label with soft, flowing lines and cool tones, evoking the tranquility of the sea.
Incorporating Imagery and Scenes
Our labels often include imagery or scenes that the scent might evoke. For instance, a candle with a woodsy, earthy scent might have a label depicting a serene forest scene, while a floral scent could be paired with a delicate illustration of blooming flowers. The goal is to create a visual experience that complements the olfactory one, making the candle as pleasing to look at as it is to smell.
Finalizing the Design
The design process involves multiple drafts and revisions. We test how the labels look on the jars, ensuring that the colors are vibrant and the text is clear. The label should not only be beautiful but also provide key information about the candle, such as its name and fragrance notes. Once the design is finalized, it’s sent to print, and the labels are applied to the candles.
6. Final Quality Check: Ensuring Perfection
Before a candle is ready for sale, it undergoes one final quality check. This step is crucial to ensure that every candle meets our high standards.
Inspecting the Finished Candle
Each candle is inspected for any imperfections. We check the label for alignment, ensure the wax is smooth and free of air bubbles, and verify that the wick is properly centered. The scent is also given one last test to ensure it smells just as good as it did during the initial testing phase.
Packaging and Presentation
Once the candles pass the final inspection, they are carefully packaged for sale. Whether they are being shipped to customers or displayed in a store, we make sure that each candle is presented in a way that reflects the quality and care that went into making it. The packaging is kept simple and elegant, with the focus on showcasing the beautiful labels and jars.
Feedback Loop
Even after the candles are sold, our process isn’t truly complete. We pay close attention to customer feedback and use it to improve future products. Whether it’s a suggestion for a new scent, a comment on a current candle, or ideas for improving the burn, we value our customers’ input. This feedback loop helps us continue to refine our process and create candles that our customers love.
7. A Celebration of the Finished Product
After all the hard work, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as seeing a new candle join the Tulsa Candle Co. collection. From the initial concept to the final product, each candle represents the dedication and passion that goes into our craft.
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