Decoration on the vessel
The lowest-cost route is a printed label — pressure-sensitive stock in matte, gloss, textured or foiled finishes, with low minimums and quick turnaround. Direct decoration such as screen printing or an applied ceramic finish looks more permanent and premium, and it carries higher setup cost and longer lead time.
Secondary packaging
- Folding carton
- The standard retail box. Litho or flexo printed, optional foil and spot finishes, and the most common reason a project's minimum is what it is.
- Rigid box
- Luxury and gifting weight. Highest cost per unit and the longest lead time of the common options.
- Sleeve or belly band
- A cheap way to add brand surface and seasonal messaging without tooling a full carton.
- Gift and multi-packs
- Sets lift average order value and need their own carton, insert and pack-out labour planned in advance.
The packaging nobody photographs
Master cartons, inserts and e-commerce shippers decide whether the product arrives intact. Glass and ceramic candles need a drop-tested shipper if you sell direct — breakage refunds cost far more than the insert would have.
Retail requirements to check first
Wholesale accounts often specify barcodes, carton markings, case counts and label copy. Ask for those requirements before print files are approved. Reprinting cartons because a barcode placement was wrong is an expensive, entirely avoidable delay.
Plan print before you plan the pour
Printed components are routinely the longest lead item in a candle program — longer than formulation and longer than production. If you have a fixed launch date, start artwork and print approvals first.