Answers about private label candles, incense, reed diffusers and room sprays from Modern Candle, a family-run manufacturer in Sylmar, Los Angeles since 1978.
Getting started
What is a private label candle manufacturer?
A private label manufacturer produces candles, incense or diffusers that are sold under your brand name. Modern Candle is a family-run private label manufacturer in Sylmar (Los Angeles), California, making products for brands since 1978.
What is the difference between private label and white label?
White label means choosing ready-made candle formulas, vessels and fragrances and adding your own label. It's the fastest, lowest-cost way to launch, and we offer it for candles through our sister company Aroma Crafters. Private label (custom) means we develop the product for you: your own fragrance, wax blend, vessel and packaging. Modern Candle offers custom private label for candles, incense, reed diffusers and room sprays.
What is contract or fill-and-assemble manufacturing?
Contract manufacturing means you supply some or all components and we provide the wax, labor and production. At Modern Candle this is our Fill & Assemble (F&A) model, built for established brands with their own supply chain.
What production models do you offer?
We offer three. Turn-Key: we handle everything, from fragrance and vessel to packaging and shipping, which is best for new brands. Hybrid: you supply some components (packaging, fragrance or vessels) and we handle wax, wicks and labor. Fill & Assemble: you supply the components and we provide wax and labor.
Do you work with small brands and startups?
Yes. Our Turn-Key program is designed for brands launching their first line, with a $5,000 minimum order. For smaller white label candle runs, Aroma Crafters (aromacrafters.com) starts at 54 pieces per SKU.
What kinds of brands do you work with?
We work with everyone from independent startups to national retailers and lifestyle brands, including Urban Outfitters, Shinola, Kohler and Boy Smells.
How do I get started?
Send us your concept, target retail price and estimated quantities through our contact form at moderncandle.com/contact, or call 323.441.0104. We'll schedule a call, then recommend a production model and send a quote.
Minimums, pricing and samples
What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ) for private label candles?
Modern Candle has no unit minimum. Instead, orders require a $5,000 minimum. White label candles through Aroma Crafters have a minimum of 54 pieces per SKU.
What are the minimums for incense, reed diffusers and room sprays?
The same $5,000 minimum order applies, with no unit minimum per SKU. White label is currently offered for candles only.
How much does a private label candle cost?
Cost varies widely with the vessel, wax, fragrance, packaging and assembly involved, so we don't publish a price list. The best way to get accurate pricing is to contact us so we can understand your components and assembly needs, then send a quote.
Are there setup, development or tooling fees?
Custom fragrance development is $1,800, and reverse-engineering an existing scent is $450. A sample tin filled with any fragrance from our library in your choice of wax is $10. Custom vessel molds and decoration screens are quoted separately.
Can I get samples before placing an order?
Yes. Sample cost and lead time depend on the materials and finishes involved, so we quote them as part of your project.
What are your payment terms?
A 50% deposit starts production, and the remaining 50% is due at pickup.
Timelines and production
How long does it take to launch a private label candle line?
Most new lines take 15 to 30 weeks from first call to finished goods. That covers fragrance and sample development, approvals, component sourcing and production. White label candles through Aroma Crafters can ship in as little as 3 weeks.
What is your production lead time for reorders?
Reorders typically ship in 4 to 12 weeks after PO, depending on quantity and component availability.
Where are your products made?
All of our products are made at our facility at 12884 Bradley Ave, Sylmar, California.
What is your production capacity?
Our facility can produce up to 100,000 candles per week across 5 production lines, which supports both launch quantities and national retail programs.
Can you handle seasonal or holiday programs?
Yes. For Q4 holiday programs, we recommend placing orders by July so components and production time are secured.
Candles
What types of wax do you use?
We offer soy, coconut, beeswax and paraffin, plus proprietary blends of these waxes. We'll recommend a blend based on your vessel, fragrance, price point and the claims you want to make (for example, "natural wax" or "vegan").
Can I make a 100% soy or clean-label candle?
Yes. We can produce 100% soy, coconut-soy and other natural wax candles, and help you choose wording for your label that is accurate.
What wicks do you use? Do you offer wood wicks?
We use cotton, paper-core and wood wicks. Every wick is matched to the vessel diameter, wax and fragrance through burn testing. Our founders have worked on wick technology for decades.
Can I create my own custom fragrance?
Yes. Our in-house fragrance team can develop an exclusive scent for your brand or adapt one from our fragrance library of 200+ scents. All fragrances are IFRA-compliant.
What fragrance load do you use?
Fragrance load typically ranges from 6% to 10%, depending on the wax and the fragrance. We set it to give strong scent throw while keeping the burn clean and safe.
What vessels can you fill?
We fill glass, ceramic, concrete, metal tins and other custom vessels. We can source stock vessels or develop a custom vessel with its own mold for your brand.
Can you decorate the vessel?
Yes. We decorate in house, including painting, spraying and silkscreening, so your jar is branded without a separate vendor.
What sizes and formats do you make?
We make container candles from 1/2 oz to 150 oz, including multi-wick candles, travel tins and votives, as well as gift sets.
Do you burn-test every candle?
Yes. Every new formula is burn-tested in our lab for melt pool, scent throw, soot, flame height and safety before production is approved.
Incense
Do you manufacture private label incense?
Yes. We produce private label incense sticks and cones, fragranced to match your candle line or developed as a standalone collection.
What is your incense made from?
Our incense is made with natural wood powder or charcoal, plus fragrance.
Can my incense match my candle fragrances?
Yes. We can carry your candle fragrances into incense so your collection smells consistent across products.
How is incense packaged?
We offer tubes, boxes, sleeves, matchbox-style packs and fully custom boxes, all with custom printing, plus burners and gift sets.
How long does incense burn?
Our 11" sticks burn for about 45 minutes, and cones for about 30 minutes.
Reed diffusers and room sprays
Do you make private label reed diffusers?
Yes. We produce private label reed diffusers in your choice of bottle, reed type and fragrance, sized from 1/2 oz to 32 oz.
What diffuser base do you use?
We match the diffuser base to each fragrance so it wicks evenly up the reeds and gives a consistent scent.
How long does a reed diffuser last?
An 8 oz diffuser typically lasts 2 to 3 months, depending on the number of reeds and room conditions.
What reeds are available?
We offer rattan, fiber and colored reeds, as well as decorative toppers and flower diffusers.
Do you make room sprays and linen sprays?
Yes. We make room and linen sprays in sizes from 3 oz to 32 oz, available in your candle fragrances so the collection matches.
Can diffusers be shipped by air or internationally?
Diffuser oils and sprays may be regulated as hazardous materials for shipping. Meeting those shipping rules is the customer's responsibility. We provide SDS and any other documents you need to confirm the requirements for your selling region and shipping method.
Packaging, labeling and design
Can you design my packaging and labels?
Yes. Our in-house design team can create your labels, boxes and full brand look. If you already have a designer, we'll work directly from their files.
What packaging options do you offer?
We offer custom printed boxes, rigid gift boxes, sleeves, lids, dust covers, tissue and inserts, and gift sets.
Do you print and apply labels?
Yes. We print and apply labels in house, including warning labels, ingredient and allergen labels, and UPC barcodes.
What needs to be on a candle label?
In the U.S., a candle label should carry the fire safety warning (per ASTM F2058), net weight, your company name and location, and any required allergen or Prop 65 statements.
Can I supply my own packaging or vessels?
Yes. That's our Hybrid model. Send us your components and we'll confirm they work with our production line and the burn testing before the run.
Safety, compliance and testing
Do you follow ASTM standards for candles?
Yes. We follow and recommend the ASTM standards for candle fire safety and labeling: ASTM F2058, F2179 and F2417. When a brand supplies its own materials or artwork, compliance for those components is the brand's responsibility.
Can you make candles for the EU and UK?
Yes. We follow the EN 15493 and EN 15426 guidelines for candles sold in Europe and the UK. Your regulatory team provides the final artwork and CLP labeling for those markets.
Are your products Prop 65 compliant?
Yes. We review every fragrance and component for California Proposition 65 and add warnings where required.
Do you provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and IFRA certificates?
Yes. We provide SDS for finished candles and fragrance oils, and IFRA documentation for fragrance oils on request.
Shipping, retail and fulfillment
Do you arrange shipping?
No. Finished orders are ready for pickup at our Sylmar, California facility, and you schedule freight with your own carrier, domestic or international.
Do you work with brands sold at major retailers?
Yes. We manufacture for brands sold at retailers such as Sephora, Ulta, Credo, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and TJX, and we're familiar with the requirements those retailers place on products and packaging.
Do you offer drop shipping or direct-to-consumer fulfillment?
No. Finished goods are released in bulk for pickup by your freight carrier.
Can you store inventory for my brand?
Yes. We can hold finished goods for up to 30 days and release them against your purchase orders.
Why manufacture candles in the USA instead of overseas?
Manufacturing in the U.S. means faster lead times, no ocean freight delays, lower tariff exposure and hands-on quality control.
About Modern Candle
Who is Modern Candle?
Modern Candle is a family-run private label manufacturer of candles, incense, reed diffusers and room sprays, based in Sylmar (Los Angeles), California. Founded in 1978 by Armik and Nora Pirijanian, we have completed more than 20,000 custom projects.
What is Aroma Crafters?
Aroma Crafters (aromacrafters.com) is our sister company for white label candles and candle-making supplies, with a minimum of 54 pieces per SKU.
Can I visit your facility?
Yes. Brand partners are welcome to tour our Sylmar facility by appointment. Contact us at 323.441.0104 or info@modern-candle.com.
How do I request a quote?
Use our contact form at moderncandle.com/contact with your product type, estimated quantities, target retail price and launch date. We typically reply within 1 to 2 business days.
Have a question that is not answered here? Contact our team or email info@modern-candle.com.
