Metal -used in the past and now more of a collectors item. Metal molds have a HUGE life span when handled properly and are still in use. Metal molds are ALWAYS 1-piece molds with no under-cuts.
The disadvantages are price and that metal molds can NOT be used with bees wax. They are VERY hard to find.
The advantages of metal molds are that they only grow in value as collectors items and huge life-span, and they can be used with high melt point waxes.
Acrylic - for VERY simple shapes with no over hangs. The biggest advantage if acrylic molds is that this is a CLEAR material and the candle maker can see the wax which makes it easier to pour multi-colored candles like the picture. Another advantage is the life-span. The main disadvantages are the stiffness of the material and the resulting simple shapes such as pillars and a higher price.Exagon is a world leader in these molds
Plastic - pioneered by companies like Pourette and Barker, plastic molds have changed candle making for ever. Using styrene and later ABS plastic made it possible to create fully dimensional and complex candle shapes. The advantages of these molds are the PRICE and the ease of use. Even a candle maker that is just starting can create stunning pieces.
The disadvantages of these molds are that plastic does not like to be overheated and it has a limited life-span. Also, different companies use different plastics, different thicknesses and this affects the life span dramatically. Another disadvantage comes from the stiffness of the material. Even though plastic has transformed candle making and allows 3-dimensional pieces, plastic molds STILL have the limitation when it comes to under-cuts which results in less detail and rather simple shapes. And the trimming of the seam-lines can be hard and time consuming and therefore costing YOU money to produce this candle.
We use industrial grade ABS plastic with our molds.
Urethane Rubber - this is the next step towards truly professional candle molds. You find these a lot on ebay. The advantage CAN be the price. but as a rule of thumb, the lower the price the lower the quality. The price for the mold maker to purchase the raw material depends on what tensile strength he is using. The higher that value the higher the price.
Disadvantages are that if sticks even to some casting waxes and has to be used with mold release and you can not pour hotter than 190F (around 90 C) or you will destroy the mold.
Advantages; easy to use and economical. Disadvantages; urethane rubber is adhesive and will stick to most original models and some casting waxes. Using sealing agents and release agents in conjunction with urethane rubber is unavoidable.
Silicone Rubber - This is the MOST professional candle mold choice. The only disadvantage is the price - and for the mold maker also the equipment needed. As with the Urethane molds. the price also depends on the tensile strength. The advantage is that they are virtually indestructible. They withstand YEARS of professional production line life. You can easily pour hotter that 200F (over 93 C). The candle maker using this mold wont need any mold release. Silicone molds are not limited to 2-piece molds like plastic which makes it possible to create about EVERYTHING with amazing detail. And you have - virtually - no seam-lines to trim - saving you money to produce this piece.
Other advantages are the detail these molds produce, they can be used with food (candy or chocolate - if the silicone is rated food safe), soap, concrete, plaster or any other material. They will last for ever which - in the long-run safes YOU money. They don't loose in value like plastic molds. they will still make candles for your next generation.
Advantages: Silicone rubber resists higher temperatures vs. urethane rubber and will last longer in production. Also, silicone rubber does not stick to many surfaces so sealing agents and release agents are often not required. Disavantages: Silicone rubbers tend to be more expensive than urethane rubbers. Also, silicone rubbers that offer high tear resistance require special processing equipment in order to successfully use the material. Specifically, an accurate gram scale for weighing components and vacuum degassing equipment to de-air the liquid rubber are required.
Our Silicone Candle Molds are being made to last with top-grade silicone If you need your mold in a food-grade silicone you may contact us in advance.
One exception to this is the "OOMOO" silicone rubber. Most cheap molds on ebay are made of this product but it has a VERY low tensile strength, it rips and tears, has a very limited life span and doesn't allow very complex shapes. The only "advantage" is for the mold maker to make the mold as cheaply as possible and have a HUGE profit margin by not telling the customer what material and tensile strength his molds are and that the mold wont last long for the candle maker and the candle maker has to replace this mold again and again. Which - in the long-run costs MUCH more that paying a bit more in the first place for a mold that lasts forever. We will NEVER sell you a mold made from this.
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