A US candle label checklist, line by line
A good candle label sells the candle. A correct one also keeps you out of trouble. The federal rules that apply to candles in the US come from the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, with the details for non-food products in the FTC’s regulations at 16 CFR Part 500. Use this checklist before your next label print run.
This is a summary of the federal rules as published, not legal advice. States can add their own requirements, so check with your state’s weights and measures office too.
On the front panel
☐ What it is. The identity of the product, in plain words: “Soy candle”, “Scented candle”, “Wax melts”. It goes on the principal display panel, the part a shopper sees first.
☐ Net weight, in US units. The weight of the candle itself, without the jar or lid. Under one pound, write it in ounces: “Net Wt. 7 oz”. From one pound up to under four, pounds and ounces: “Net Wt. 1 lb 8 oz”, and you may add the total ounces in brackets.
☐ Net weight, in metric. Grams (or kilograms for big candles), next to the US figure: “Net Wt. 7 oz (198 g)”.
☐ Rounded down. Never state more than is in the container. If your candles vary a little, use the lightest.
☐ In the bottom 30%. The net weight goes in the lower 30% of the front panel, running parallel to the base.
☐ Big enough. The minimum letter height depends on the front panel’s area. On a round jar, the panel counts as 40% of the height times the circumference:
| Panel area | Smallest letters |
|---|---|
| Up to 5 sq in | 1/16 in |
| Up to 25 sq in | 1/8 in |
| Up to 100 sq in | 3/16 in |
| Up to 400 sq in | 1/4 in |
Most 8 oz tumbler labels land in the 1/8 inch row. If the weight is molded into the glass instead of printed, add 1/16 inch.
Anywhere on the label
☐ Who made or sells it. The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor. Business name, city, state and ZIP is the usual form.
Strongly recommended
☐ Safety warnings. Burning instructions and fire safety warnings following the ASTM F2058 standard are expected by retailers and widely used by small makers: never leave burning unattended, keep away from children, pets and things that can catch fire, trim the wick, stop burning with half an inch of wax left.
☐ Allergen or ingredient notes, if your customers ask for them or you sell in places that require them.
The mistake we see most
Printing the jar’s capacity as the net weight. An “8 oz” jar is 8 fluid ounces of space, and holds about 6.4 oz of finished candle. The net weight line has to describe the candle. Weigh one: tare the empty jar, weigh the finished candle, and put that number into the label net weight calculator. It writes the line in the right format and works out the minimum type size for your jar.