A complete beginner's roadmap for UK makers — from kit and supplies to the legal essentials, pricing and where to sell.
Wax melts are one of the most accessible craft businesses to start in the UK — low startup costs, equipment you may already own, and steady demand on Etsy, at markets and through social media. This guide walks you through every step: the kit you need, where to source supplies, the legal essentials, how to price for profit, and where to sell.
Compared with most product businesses, wax melts have an unusually low barrier to entry. You can begin from your kitchen with a starter budget of well under £200, there's no expensive machinery, and the materials are easy to source from UK suppliers. Melts are also lighter and cheaper to post than candles, and they let customers try lots of scents — which encourages repeat orders.
⚖️ Please note: This guide is general information to help you get started, not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice. Always check the current rules with official sources such as HMRC, the HSE and your insurer before you sell.
Your starting shopping list is short. Most of it is inexpensive and much of it is reusable:
Buy from established UK suppliers so you get candle-safe materials and the documentation you'll need for compliance. Our supplier directory lists trusted UK retailers for wax, fragrance oils, dyes, equipment and packaging — filterable by category.
As your orders grow, buying in larger quantities lowers your cost per unit. Many suppliers offer trade or wholesale accounts — see buying wholesale vs retail for when it's worth switching.
Wax melts are classed as a product placed on the market, so a few rules apply before you can sell. At a high level you'll need to:
Our testing & safety standards guide covers CLP, CPNP, lot codes and the latest UK regulation updates in more detail.
💡 Tip: Keep a simple spreadsheet of every purchase and sale from day one. It makes tax returns painless and shows you your true cost per unit for pricing.
Many new makers price too low and forget to pay themselves. Work out your true cost per unit first — wax, fragrance, clamshell, label and a share of packaging — then add your time and overheads, and apply a margin.
A common starting point is to price retail at roughly 3–4× your materials cost, then sanity-check against what comparable UK makers charge. Keep wholesale (selling to shops) and retail (selling direct) prices separate — see wholesale vs retail.
Strong, consistent branding turns a homemade product into a brand people remember. Decide on a name, colours and a simple logo, then carry them across your labels, packaging and social profiles. Your packaging choices protect the product and shape that all-important first impression.
Before you list anything, test thoroughly — cure your melts, check cold and hot throw, and fix any issues with finish. Our troubleshooting guide covers frosting, sinkholes, sweating and weak scent throw so your first batches look and perform their best.
Indicative starting costs for a UK home-based maker (you'll already own some items):
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Wax (starter quantity) | £15–£30 |
| Fragrance oils (a small range) | £20–£40 |
| Clamshells / moulds | £10–£25 |
| Digital 0.1g scales | £8–£15 |
| Thermometer & pouring jug | £10–£25 |
| Labels & packaging | £15–£40 |
| CLP / compliance | £0–£50 |
| Liability insurance | from ~£5/month |
| Typical starting total | ~£80–£200 |