Candle vessels are not standardised. Two jars sold as 8 oz from different suppliers can differ by half an inch in diameter and more in height once the lid is on. So the only reliable way to size a candle box is to measure the vessel in front of you. This page gives you the method and rough reference figures to sanity check against.
Measure the vessel, not the wax
- Measure the outside diameter at the widest point. On many jars that is the rim or a decorative lip, not the body.
- Measure the total height with the lid fitted. Lids add more than people expect, particularly wooden and domed metal lids.
- If the candle ships with a dust cover, a wick trimmer or a card, measure the assembled bundle.
- Convert the diameter into a square footprint for a tuck or rigid box, or keep it circular for a tube or hexagon format.
Rough reference figures
| Vessel | Approximate diameter | Approximate height without lid |
|---|---|---|
| 4 oz tin | About 3 inches | About 2 inches |
| 8 to 9 oz jar | About 3 inches | About 3.5 inches |
| 12 to 13 oz jar | About 3.5 inches | About 4 inches |
| 16 oz jar | About 4 inches | About 4.5 inches |
| Three-wick vessel | About 4 to 4.5 inches | About 3.5 to 4 inches |
Treat every figure here as approximate. Vessel suppliers vary, and a quarter inch difference is the difference between a snug box and one that will not close.
Clearance and insert allowance
- Folding carton, no insert. Add a small clearance on each side so the jar slides in cleanly. Too tight and packers scuff the label on the way in.
- With a paperboard collar or platform. Add the collar thickness on the faces it contacts, then the clearance on top of that.
- Rigid box with a fitted well. The well is cut to the vessel, so the interior grows by the wall build-up of the rigid construction. See rigid box dimensions for that maths.
- Shipping as well as retailing. If the same box goes in the post, allow for cushioning, or plan a separate outer mailer.
Weight is the other constraint
A filled glass candle is heavy for its size. Board caliper should be chosen against the loaded weight, not the box footprint. A carton that is fine for a cosmetic tube will bow under a 16 oz jar, and the base is where it fails first. Tell us the filled weight on the quote and the board can be matched to it.
What a candle box run costs
The minimum order is 100 boxes, which suits a single scent launch as easily as a full range. Pricing starts from about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes and is confirmed on your written quote. The die, the plates, dieline design support, free US shipping and a digital proof before print are included, so a custom size is not penalised against a standard one.
Production runs from about 7 business days, plus 2 to 5 for delivery. Rush combines expedited production with air freight at a premium of about 7 to 25% depending on the job, standard moves by air, and cost saver moves by sea. Specialty imported items can run up to about 12 weeks.
Send your vessel measurements
Send your vessel diameter and lidded height to /quote/. For style options across the category, see custom candle boxes, and for the general sizing method see how to choose a box size.
