Dyes, Dyes & More Dyes!

I am often asked 'what dye works best for candles?' and while I really wish that was a question I could answer, I am afraid there is no simple answer. For candles, there are many types of dyes. Hopefully this blog will help you in deciding what will work best for you!

First, in selecting the dyes, you need to be aware of what wax you will be using. This will be explained later but it does sometimes matter. When shopping for dyes always keep in mind the wax you will be using with them for the best results.

So here we go! Bitter Creek offers between the North and South locations one of the best selections of candle dyes anywhere! We offer Powder, Flake, Block, Chip, Liquid and Pigments. It seems like the task of choosing will be overwhelming and sometimes it can be but it really doesn't have to be, for anyone. I will explain in the best but simplest detail possible how to best decide what you should be using in your candles!

Pro Powders Candle Dye: Available only at Bitter Creek North

Let's start with Powder Dyes since all dyes begin as powders! Just makes the most sense to start at the beginning to me. :) Powder dyes are an EXCELLENT choice in any wax. Because it is just the dye, it won't cause frosting in soy, won't disturb the pattern in palm & the colors are strong and bold. Powder dyes make beautifully colored candles! So what you're thinking now is, if powder is so great.....why isn't that all that is sold, right? Well sometimes I think the same way but truth be told, there is a reason and that is that it is so concentrated many small candle makers may find it difficult to work with and duplicate colors from it.

Powder dyes are extremely concentrated, a little goes a LONG way! Usage can vary from as little as .001% for a light shade, to .05% for a dark shade. Dissolving powder dyes in Steric Acid (a few teaspoons +/- worth depending on the size of your batch) on direct heat prior to adding to wax or blending directly into your fragrance oil will help with dispersion and help reduce undissolved particles in the wax. (I find the fragrance oil method works best) Do not add powder dyes directly to the wax, they will not properly dissolve. 

Because of the limited color range in powder dyes, color blending is usually necessary to

achieve a variety of colors. The investment in a Color Wheel will be a great help in achieving a rainbow of colors and color variations. To measure powder dyes accurately, a very precise scale will work best. For smaller candle makers, we well "Pinch, Dash & Smidgen" spoons that also work excellent.

Pro Powders are suitable in the following waxes: ALL WAX TYPES

Next on my list are Liquid Candle Dyes.  

Liquid Candle Dye: Available at  Bitter Creek North and Bitter Creek South

Liquid candle dyes are Powder Dyes that have been added to a liquid solvent. Liquids are an excellent, strong dye that works great in most waxes. They are not recommended for use in soy candles as they tend to frost but are the best choice, next to Powders for Palm Wax.

Liquid Dyes are packaged in clear glass Boston Round bottles with dropper tops. Each color can be made into different shades by adjusting the usage amount (see suggested use percentages below - .05% equals approximately 7 drops of dye per pound of wax). One oz. of dye should color approx. 125 lbs of wax (1 lb. of dye per 2,000 lbs) to a medium shade. Suggested usage varies for each color & shade, and will vary depending upon wax formula and additives. Once you get the shade you want, keep notes on the amount and measure used for easier color duplication in future batches. For larger batches, 1 tsp of dye equals about 132 drops or 5 grams.

Keep caps closed tightly or the dye can dry out! If the bottle clogs up, remove cap and add a few drops of mineral oil to thin the liquid back out, replace cap and shake well. Use a pin to unclog squeeze caps.

Note: These liquid dyes are very concentrated and have an odor to them. Once the dyes are diluted with wax and fragrance oil, this will not affect your finished candles.

Liquid Dyes are suitable in the following waxes: ALL WAX TYPES EXCEPT SOY

The Next Dye type is Dye Blocks

Color Blocks: Available only at Bitter Creek North

Color Blocks are an excellent dye choice for every wax type except Palm. Because the base is paraffin, it can tend to cause interference with the natural crystallization of palm and therefore is not recommended for them. For all other waxes, they are an optimal choice. Our concentrated color blocks work well in paraffin, soy, palm and beeswax. The base of these dyes are made from paraffin wax and have a melt point between 120* and 130*. Depending on the wax you are using

and it's opacity, a single block will color between 10-25 lbs of wax to a deep shade. Use less colorant to achieve lighter shades. Be sure to add these to wax that is hot! Between 185-195* works best OR melt them on direct heat gently (BE CAREFUL NOT TO BURN THEM!) with a bit of wax. Once in the wax stir well to avoid speckles in the wax. Some very small specks on the bottom of the jars may happen but it does not affect the general aesthetics of the candle.

*Tip! Use our Mini Color Block Grater to add the block to the wax! Works great!

Color Blocks are suitable in the following waxes: ALL WAX TYPES EXCEPT PALM

 
The Next Dye type are Diamond Dye Chips

Diamond Dye Chips: Available only at Bitter Creek North

Do you find that achieving the same color twice is hard? Try Diamond Dye Chips. Diamond Dye Chips are the easiest candle dyes to use. They work excellent in all kinds of wax, and especially in soy! Add one for a lighter, pastel color, add two for a mid tone color, add three for a deeper, true color per weight pound of wax. Slightly less may be needed for a straight paraffin wax. These are very easy to use and duplicate colors with time and time again! This is THE dye system for anyone looking for easy to duplicate colors with absolutely no dye mess! 

Be sure to add these to a wax that is a high enough temperature. Between 180-195 is perfect. Stir well to be sure they completely dissolve. I love these chips myself, if a perfect dye is possible, this may be it!
Tip: The Blue chips work great with our Blueberry Muffins fragrance! They remain blue and will not turn green!

Diamond Dye Chips are suitable in the following waxes: ALL WAX TYPES

The Next Dye type are Dye Flakes

Dye Flakes: Available only at Bitter Creek North  

These dyes come in a huge range of colors and are good for the novice to the professional. Add to your wax between 185-195 and stir well to properly dissolve. Some of the reds are a bit harder to dissolve then others but high enough temp is the key. They make beautiful and rich color! 

High quality, concentrated professional candle dyes! Rich colors that are resistant to fading and bleeding. Recommended usage is .1 to .3% (or approx. 1/2 gram per pound of wax). For

the most precise measuring, we recommend using a good digital gram scale. Size of flakes may vary by color. One ounce of flakes will dye approx. 45 - 65lbs of wax. This will vary depending on the type of wax and additives used. 

*Our Pinch, Dash & Smidgen Spoon works well to measure dye flakes!

Dye Flakes are suitable in the following waxes: ALL WAX TYPES

The Next Dye type are Dye Blocks

 Color Blocks: Available only at Bitter Creek South

This unique dye is amazing. Sold only at the south location, they are truly a one of a kind product. I personally love working with them. They are wonderful in every wax type.The exact amount of dye had been calculated into each block to make each color in the color chart. You can make several colors and shades with the same block just by varying the volume of wax with a single Dye Block. Just follow the easy to understand chart on the page with the dyes and in no time at all, you will see this is a superior break-apart color delivery system.

Choose the color you would like your candle to look like from the Dye Block Color Chart. Follow the directions/recommendations under each color patch.
There are 27 Color Blocks to choose from. The last two blocks, #29 and #30, are additives that prevent the dyes from fading. Whitener Block #28 produces White under certain conditions.
Each of the 27 Dye Blocks produces several colors or shades by increasing or decreasing the ratio of color in wax. In all, more than 75 colors can be made with only the 27 Dye Blocks in the color chart.
Virtually all the candles in the marketplace are represented in this color chart.
Endless more unique colors, however, can be achieved by mixing parts of one Dye Block with another Dye Block in wax.
All these Dye Color Blocks are compatible with each other in wax.
The Dye Blocks work well in all kinds of paraffin or naturally derived waxes. They may look somewhat different in different kinds of wax.
Dye Blocks are suitable in the following waxes: ALL WAX TYPES
And there you have it! A way to select the right dye for you!
Happy Candlemaking!
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