How to Start Candle Making Business in India From Home

Opening a candle production business in India is one of the most ideal low-investment, high-profits small businesses. Candles are always required for homes, religious rituals, weddings, hotels, and decorative gifts. The good news is you can operate this business at home with a minimum ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 and expand to earn ₹1 lakh or even more per month.

In this full guide, we will take you through all the steps of launching a successful candle business. You will find out which candles sell best, where to source raw materials, how to make candles at home, legal requirements, marketing, and above all, how to make good profits.

Why Candle Business is Profitable in India?

The Indian candle industry is expanding rapidly for the simple reason that candles are now not only for lighting purposes during power cuts. Now, scented candles, decorative candles, and environment-friendly candles have gained popularity for home decoration, aromatherapy, and gift purposes. The profit margins from this business are extremely lucrative. For instance, a simple paraffin wax candle that is made for ₹10 can be retailed at ₹50-₹100. High-end candles using soy wax or beeswax are ₹30-₹50 to make but sell for ₹200-₹500 per candle.

Another benefit is that you don’t require a lot of space or costly machines. You can begin making candles from the kitchen and sell them on the internet via Instagram, Amazon, or your website. With proper marketing, most small candle businesses in India are making ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh per month within one year.

Find below the steps to follow to start a candle business in India:

Selecting the Proper Kind of Candles to Sell

Not all candles sell equally. To make the most money, you must specialize in the most in-demand types:

• Paraffin Wax Candles – These are the least expensive to produce and sell in bulk for religious purposes. Profit margin: 50-100%.
• Soy Wax Candles – Green and hip, these are sold at premium prices. Profit margin: 100-300%.
• Beeswax Candles – Long-lasting and natural, health-conscious consumers’ favorite. Profit margin: 200-500%.
• Gel Candles – Gifted and decorative. Profit margin: 150-400%.
• Floating Candles – Hotel and wedding favorites. Profit margin: 100-250%.

For beginners, scented soy candles are the best option since they are simple to produce, in high demand, and yield great profits.

Raw Materials and Equipment Needed

To begin making candles at home, you will require a few basic materials:

• Wax – Paraffin wax (₹100-₹150 per kg), soy wax (₹300-₹500 per kg), or beeswax (₹600-₹1000 per kg).
• Wicks – Cotton or wooden wicks (₹50-₹200 per 100 wicks).
• Fragrance Oils – Essential oils such as lavender, vanilla, or citrus (₹200-₹500 per 100ml).
• Dyes – Candle dyes to color the candles (₹100-₹300 per bottle).
• Molds – Silicone or metal molds (₹50-₹500 each).

As for equipment, you will require:

• A melting pot (₹500-₹2000)
• A thermometer (₹200-₹500)
• Mixing tools (₹100-₹300)
• Packaging (Boxes, labels – ₹5-₹20 per candle)

The initial total cost can be as little as ₹10,000 if you start small.

Read: Top Small Scale Manufacturing Business Ideas in India

Step-by-Step Candle Manufacturing Process

Making candles is easy if you do the following steps:

• Melt the Wax – Melt the wax slowly using a double boiler. Heat it to 70-80°C, but do not overheat.
• Add Fragrance and Colour – Combine 5-10% fragrance oil and a few drops of dye for colour.
• Prepare the Mold – Secure the wick in the middle of the mold before pouring the wax.
• Pour the Wax – Pour the melted wax slowly into the mold to prevent air bubbles.
• Let It Cool – Let 4-6 hours pass for the candle to harden.
• Trim the Wick – Trim the wick to approximately 5mm before packaging.
• Package the Candle – Utilize nice boxes and labels bearing your brand name.

You can easily learn this process by referring to YouTube tutorials.

Legal Requirements for Candle Business

If you are operating this as a small home business, you might not require many licenses at first. But if you intend to expand, you ought to obtain:

• GST Registration (Compulsory if your turnover is more than ₹20 lakh/year)
• FSSAI License (If selling aromatic or edible candles)
• Trade License (From the municipal corporation of your area)
• Fire Safety NOC (If manufacturing in bulk)

The total cost of licenses will be between ₹5,000 to ₹10,000.

Read: What is GST Software and How It Work in India

How to Sell Candles and Make ₹1 Lakh Per Month

Selling candles has never been simpler due to online marketplaces. These are the best ways:

• Sell Online – Sell your candles on Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, or your Shopify website.
• Instagram and Facebook – Share good-quality pictures and advertise to get customers.
• Wholesale to Shops – Approach gift shops, hotels, and religious shops for bulk purchases.
• Custom Orders – Create customized candles for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events.
• Subscription Model – Provide monthly candle boxes (e.g., “3 Candles for ₹999/month”).

Profit Calculation: How to Reach ₹1 Lakh/Month

If you sell:

• 500 fragrant soy candles at ₹150 each (₹30 cost) = ₹60,000 profit
• 200 personalized wedding candles at ₹300 each (₹50 cost) = ₹50,000 profit

Total profit = ₹1,10,000 per month.

Tips to Grow Your Candle Business Quickly

• Use Social Media – Instagram and Pinterest are ideal for candles.
• Provide Discounts – “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” offers boost sales.
• Participate in Exhibitions – Sell at Diwali melas, wedding expos, and craft fairs.
• Work with Influencers – Offer free samples to bloggers for review.
• Create a YouTube Channel – Post candle-making tutorials to engage customers.
• Export Opportunities – Sell to the USA, UAE, and Europe through Amazon Global.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the candle business profitable in India?

Yes! With 50-500% profit margins, it’s among the best small manufacturing businesses.

Can I begin with ₹10,000?

Of course. Begin small from home and scale up as sales increase.

Which candles are sold the most?

Scented soy candles, floating wedding candles, and religious candles are the most popular.

How do I get my first customers?

Make use of Instagram ads, WhatsApp marketing, and local shop tie-ups to gain initial sales.

Final Thoughts: The candle business is simple to begin with, involves less investment, and offers great profit opportunities. If you comply with the instructions in this guide, you can create a ₹1 lakh/month business in one year. The secret lies in highlighting quality, branding, and intelligent marketing.