Candles are a popular housewares product, but labeling requirements and solutions can be more complex than you’d expect. There are both legal requirements and industry standards to consider. Plus, you’ll need to ensure that you choose labels that can stand up to the heat generated when the candles are lit.

These guidelines will help you design your labels and choose the right labeling system.

Legal requirements and industry standards

There are both mandatory and voluntary safety standards for candle labeling, which are set by regulatory agencies and industry bodies. These typically cover all wax candles and candle-like products, including wax melts.

Under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FLPA), there are certain legal requirements for your candle’s front-facing labels. The label must cover one side of a rectangular container, or 40 percent of the surface of round containers. Labels may be applied directly on the container, the packaging or the candle itself. They may also be tied to bare candles, assuming the product meets size guidelines.

Candle labels should include three key pieces of information:

• Identity: The product identity is its generic name, like candle or wax melt. Many companies also list what kind of scent the candle has and what kind of wax is used.
• Company information: Either the distributor or manufacturer must include their company name and contact information, as well as their role.
• Weight: Finally, the weight needs to be included in imperial and metric measurements. Weight should include the entire candle weight, including wick. Labels have specific font height requirements, depending on the size of the label.

Safety labels are not mandatory, but they are considered an industry standard. Examples of safety labels and standards are available through the National Candle Association. Typically, a safety label includes the word “warning,” “burn within sight,” and instructions to keep the candle away from children and flammable objects. They may also include safety information like where to burn the candle and how short the wick should be kept. Many manufacturers place this information on a bottom label.

Labeling materials and labeling system solutions

If your label will remain on the candle container while it’s burning (as opposed to packaging labels), it needs to be able to withstand temperature changes. Waxes typically melt between 120 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, but will cool back down to room temperature after the flame is out. Polypropylene (BOPP) and other polyester-based candles are typically the best choice for this purpose. You’ll also need to consider what kind of adhesive is appropriate, depending on whether your containers are glass or metal.

Quadrel’s labeling solutions make it simple and efficient to find the right candle labeling machine. Our pressure sensitive labeling systems include front/back labeling machines, as well as two full-featured wrap labeling machines. Depending on product size and machine, they can effortlessly label up to 250 products per minute.

For more information about our pressure sensitive candle labeling solutions, reach out to us today. We’d be happy to match you with the right system, or design a custom option to meet your needs.