Wick installation sits in a gray area for many candle brands. It is essential to production, but it is often viewed as a simple step that can be handled in multiple ways.
Deciding whether to keep wick installation in-house or outsource it is less about preference and more about understanding control, efficiency, and where your process is today.
There is no universal right answer. The right choice depends on how your operation is structured and where consistency matters most.
The trade-off between control and efficiency
Keeping wick installation in-house offers a high degree of control. Teams can make adjustments quickly, respond to changes, and experiment without external constraints.
Outsourcing wick installation, on the other hand, prioritizes efficiency and repeatability. When done correctly, it removes a manual step from the production line and standardizes outcomes before filling begins.
Neither approach is inherently better. The key is understanding what you gain and what you give up with each option.
When it makes sense to keep wick installation in-house
Many brands are best served by installing wicks internally, especially in earlier stages of growth.
Keeping wick installation in-house often makes sense when:
- Wick specifications are still evolving
- Multiple wick options are being tested
- Production volumes are relatively low
- Teams need flexibility from run to run
In these scenarios, the ability to change course quickly outweighs the benefits of efficiency. Installing wicks internally allows teams to maintain control while specifications and processes are still being refined.
When outsourcing wick installation can help
As operations mature, priorities often shift from flexibility to consistency.
Outsourcing wick installation can be a good fit when:
- Wick specifications are finalized
- Production volumes are consistent or growing
- Manual installation is becoming a bottleneck
- Teams want to reduce handling after decoration
At this stage, standardizing wick installation upstream can support throughput and reduce variability across production runs.
Understanding volume thresholds
Volume alone does not determine whether outsourcing makes sense, but it does influence the decision.
At lower volumes, the time savings from outsourcing may be minimal. As volume increases, small inefficiencies compound.
When teams find that wick installation is consuming disproportionate time or introducing inconsistency, it is often a signal that the process has outgrown a manual approach.
Process maturity matters more than size
Process maturity is often a better indicator than company size.
A smaller brand with locked specifications and disciplined workflows may benefit from outsourcing sooner than a larger brand that is still experimenting.
Before outsourcing, it helps to ask:
- Are our wick specifications stable
- Are our containers and hardware consistent
- Are we comfortable reducing late-stage flexibility
Clear answers to these questions usually point toward the right path.
How JAFE thinks about this decision
At JAFE, we do not view outsourced wick installation as a default solution.
We see it as a production support option that works best when it aligns with a brand’s process maturity and volume. Our role is to support consistency and preparation for customer-filled production, not to replace testing or decision-making.
For some projects, keeping wick installation in-house is the better choice. For others, upstream installation simplifies workflows and reduces friction. Both outcomes can be successful when the decision is intentional.
Making the right choice for your operation
The decision to keep wick installation in-house or outsource it should be revisited as your business evolves.
What works during early growth may become a constraint later. What feels restrictive early on may become essential as volumes increase.
By evaluating control, efficiency, volume, and process maturity together, brands can choose the approach that supports their current needs without overcommitting too soon.