I created a product line in 35 days using just one 3D-printed master model.
Here’s the strategy I used:
I made one silicone mold a day and each day I made a mold I used all the molds I have to create concrete coasters.
Here’s how I did it:
Step 1: I 3D printed a master model.
This is the shape that every mold will be based on. I used a 3D-printed bubble coaster design (you can get the exact design stl file [here]). My master model came with a built-in mold box.
Step 2: Made my first silicone mold.
On day 1, I poured silicone rubber inside the mold box around the master model and let it cure into a silicone mold. The following day I demolded the silicone mold and I had my first silicone mold.
Step 3: Used the same master model to make a 2nd mold (repeated the process daily)
As soon as I demolded my first mold, I reused the master model to pour a second mold. Every single day, I demolded a silicone mold and immediately made another. I did this everyday until I made 34 molds.
Step 4: Use all my molds to start casting coasters
Here’s the fun part – The moment I had one mold, I started making concrete coasters.
Day 1: I made my first mold.
Day 2: I demolded it and used it to cast 1 coaster.
Day 3: I had 2 molds, so I made 2 coasters.
Day 4: 3 molds = 3 coasters.
This kept going until Day 35, when I had 34 molds and had made 595 coasters in total.
Step 5: Now I batch my production easily
With 34 molds, I now make 34 coasters in one session whenever I need to restock.
The best part of all this is I don’t have to remake the silicone molds because they’re reusable. Once you make them, you can use them over and over again.
This is the power of silicone molds: once you have them, scaling your inventory becomes easy.
If you want to try this for yourself, here’s how to apply it today:
- Get a a reusable master model and its mold box (Or you can download mine here)
- 3D Print it using a local 3D printing service or print it yourself.
- Follow the mold-making process I used.
- Make your first mold, then keep going!
If you want the exact master modeI I used to make 34 molds and build your own mold-based product line click here to download it.