How to Tab a Wick
Candle Making Tutorial

Candle Making Tutorial
How to Tab a Wick
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Wicks are available for votive and tealight candles. If don’t want to use , or if you are making container candles, or pillars which do not use a mold with a wick-whole, you will need to tab your wicks. For this you will need:

1. of the type suitable for the type of candle you are making (Please see our reference on Picking Your Wick for assistance choosing the proper to use for your candle.)
3. Pliers
5. Ruler

Step One: Measure & Cut Wick

This just takes a ruler and some scissors.

• For , cut into 2 ½“ lengths
• For , cut into 1 ½” lengths
• For , cut into the measure out enough wick for the height of your candle plus 2 inches extra for the . For example, if you are making a 4” jar candle, measure out 4” + 2” = 6” length of wick. (In general, container candles 2” and under don’t extra wick cut for wick centering, as the wick’s generally stand by themselves at this height.)
• For , measure out enough for the height of your candle plus 2 inches extra for the . For example, if you are making a 3” pillar candle, measure out 3” + 2” = 5” length of wick. (this is if your pillar mold does not have a wick hole in the bottom of it only)

Step Two: Put the Wick to the Clip

The top of the has a small hollow stem rising from the center. The goes through this stem. The bottom of the is smooth.

HINT: For Tealights, it’s easiest to choose the

1. Take one of your cut in one hand and a in the other.
2. Thread the through the from back to front.

1. When the is flush with the flat surface of the back of the , or even a fraction further into the stem (indented), stop threading

Step Three: Crimp the Stem

Now take the pliers and squeeze the stem of the into the , crimping the stem so it holds the wick snugly.

That’s it! You have now tabbed your own wick!

NOTE: If you are using raw (non-waxed) wick, after you tab it you probably want to “prime” the tabbed wick (dip it in wax to make it a waxed wick) before using in a candle.