How to Prime Raw (Unwaxed) Candle Wick

Before using raw candle wick in a candle, it needs to be coated (known as “primed”) with wax. This helps the wick burn consistently and more evenly.

You can:

Buy pre-waxed wicks if you want to skip this candle making step, or
Buy raw wick (plain unwaxed cotton on a spool) if you enjoy doing it yourself or have specific requirements.

Safety tip: Melted wax is very hot. Work carefully and keep it away from children and pets.

Cut your wick

Cut the length of wick you need from the cardboard spool. Make it slightly longer than the finished candle height so you have extra to work with.
Dip the wick in melted wax

Place the wick into the melted wax and make sure it is fully submerged. Keep it in the wax until you see small air bubbles rising to the surface. This usually takes only a few seconds.
Let the wick absorb the wax

When the bubbles stop, it means the wick has absorbed enough wax. Carefully lift the wick out of the wax.
Smooth the wick

While the wick is still warm (but cool enough to touch safely), gently run your fingers along it from top to bottom. This helps remove extra air bubbles and straightens the wick.
Lay the wick flat to cool

Lay the wick flat on your hard, heat-safe surface and allow it to cool and harden completely.
Repeat for 2–3 layers

Once the wick has cooled, repeat the dipping process two more times so you have a total of three layers of wax on the wick.

For the second and third dips, simply dip the wick straight in and out quickly. Do not leave it sitting in the wax, or the first layer may melt off.
Attach the wick sustainer

After the wick is fully primed and cooled, use a pair of pliers to crimp a wick sustainer onto one end of the wick. This metal tab will sit at the bottom of the candle and hold the wick in place.

Your primed candle wick is now ready to be fixed into your container or mould and used in your next candle.