You made a small batch of candles, yeah! The fun isn’t over yet! You need candle labels, but what information do you include? Are there specific details that you should make sure to add? Maybe by law (gulp)?
When I previously made candle labels, I was oblivious to anything required by law and printed away. Luckily, I took my only listing down from Etsy before the day was over (phew) and saved myself a lot of potential problems.
Now it’s time for a little research to find out what is supposed to be on the label. I hope it helps you. Here we go.
What to include on the candle label
It turns out, some information is required by law to include. Why? Well, it seems that in the past, some companies used unethical marketing tactics to mislead the consumer, so the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act was created in the 1960s.
This brings us to our candle labels and what to include to protect the consumer.
The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act
Let’s get right to the candle label. There are 3 items required according to the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act: Regulations Under Section 4 states:
- § 500.4 Statement of identity.
- § 500.5 Name and place of business of manufacturer, packer or distributor.
- § 500.6 Net quantity of contents declaration, location.
Let’s break this down.
Ok, so you MUST have 3 things on your label:
1. What it is: identify your product by simply stating what it is. So the word candle needs to be on it. If it’s a wax melt, state that, etc.
2. Who and where: the name of your company and your place of business. This is where you make your candles and is the street address, not a PO Box or mailbox service address. This doesn’t have to be included on the label if the information is on your website or if you registered your company with your state.
3. Amount of product: this is the net weight, which is the contents of everything in the jar, NOT including the vessel. This must be in ounces and grams. To get this number, weigh the finished product, then weigh an empty jar (or whatever vessel you are using) and subtract the two.
Now use a conversion calculator to get the grams (unless you are a math freak, and then good for you).
Make sure to state it like this:
“Net weight 4 oz (113 g)” or “Net wt 4 oz (113g)”
Place this on the center bottom 1/3 of the label and in bold.
I was able to find a variety of conversion tools to select from. One option is Rapid Tables.
We are not finished with the weight.
Font Size Requirement for net weight, Yes Really
There is also a font size requirement. It has to do with the principal display panel (PDP), which is NOT the size of your label. The PDP is the front panel of your product, where your label will be displayed and have the necessary information on it.
How do you measure it?
Here are the rules for that:
1. For a rectangle, you multiply the height (in inches) x the width (in inches), which gives you an answer in square inches.
Ex: A square jar that is 5 inches high and 5 inches wide:
5 inch x 5 inch = 25 sq. inches
Your PDP = 25 square inches
2. For cylindrical (which will be most of our candle containers), there is no width, so it’s a little different.
First, multiply (the height) x (the circumference) and then multiply by 40%, and the answer is in square inches.
(Note: to measure the circumference you can cut a strip of paper and cut it to fit (or mark it with a pencil) around your container and then measure it with a ruler.
Ex: A round jar that is 5 inches high and you measured your circumference to be 10 inches:
Step 1: 5 inches x 10 inches = 50 square inches
Step 2: 50 square inches x .40 = 20 square inches
Your PDP = 20 square inches
Once you have your PDP, you can determine the correct required font size.
| PDP SIZE | FONT SIZE |
| 5 sq. inches or LESS | 1/18 inch (1.5mm) |
| Between 5 sq. inches and 25 sq. inches | 1/8 inch (3.1mm) |
| Between 25 sq. inches and 100 sq. inches | 3/16 inch (4.7 mm) |
| More than 100 sq. inches | ¼ inch (6.35 mm) |
So in the example above:
- PDP of 20 square inches = font size of 1/18 inch.
One More Candle Label (Phew): safety
Now there is one more label you need to have concerning safety. Although not legally necessary, it is considered an industry standard, so definitely include it. You have likely encountered it before on the bottoms of candles.
There are three:
- “Burn within sight.”
- “Keep away from flammables.”
- “Keep away from children and pets.”
The National Candle Association provides graphics you can print for your candle labels, or you can easily find these at any candle supply store for minimal cost.
Another strongly recommended safety tip to include is that the wick should be trimmed to ¼” to keep your candle burning safely.
don’t forget to market
So we know the law and industry standards, but don’t forget to use your candle labels for marketing. Because you want people to buy your candle, here is some more info you can include. Your can include this on your label if it’s not too crowed or on your packaging. You could even tie it around your candle on a cute card.
Logo
Include this to increase the branding of your candle business. If you’re stuck on this, you can use Canva to make one or find someone on Fiverr to help.
Candle Name
The candle’s name should be easy to find on the label. This name can reflect the scent or theme of the candle and should be easy to read.
Scent
Adding the scent is a good idea because people sometimes look for a specific scent to purchase. One way to do this is by using descriptive words or including a picture of the main scent note.
Ingredients
The ingredients should be listed and include the type of wax and fragrance oils used. Be transparent about the ingredients in your candles to ensure that customers with allergies or sensitivities can make informed purchasing decisions.
Handmade, Handcrafted, or Hand Poured
Adding “handmade” or “hand poured” gives it a unique, personalized touch a lot of people love.
Please note: I hope you found this information helpful, but I am NOT an expert or a lawyer! If you still have questions, please check the website, www.FPLA.com, the ftc.com, or ask a lawyer for further advice.
Good luck with your labels!
