You ever made a mold so messy it made you want to quit altogether?
That was me when I was making my very first mold. Well, I glued together 36 marbles into a coaster shape and used a cardboard box as a mold box. The entire design looked promising until I poured silicone over it and ended up with a crooked, glue-covered disaster.
But that failed mold lit a fire in me that I didn’t know existed. It made me realize something important: if I could just get one master model right and make it reusable, I could make mold after mold without starting from scratch every time.
When you are a beginner you don’t realize how much time and energy you waste on one-off experiments.
Making master models out of random objects and mold boxes out of cardboard might seem like a shortcut, but it often leads to:
- Master models that fall apart
- Mold boxes that aren’t reusable
- Final molds with wonky edges and uneven textures
You start from scratch every single time you want to make a mold which is unsustainable. And after a few failed attempts, you begin to wonder if making molds is even for you.
That’s exactly where I was until I decided to try something new.
I chose to 3D design and 3D print my master model and this is by far one of the best decisions I have ever made.
My proudest moment was after I sketched out the exact coaster I wanted with a perfect bubble pattern, and included a built-in mold box. That meant I could pour silicone without needing to build a new mold box every time.
Once I had my sketch, I turned it into a 3D model and sent it off to my nearest 3D printing guys.
And when I held the finished print in my hands for the first time, It felt like I had just won the lottery and anything was possible.
That one master model helped me make over 30 silicone molds, which I now use to make a batch of 30+ coasters at a time.
And my goal is for you to be able to do it too.
Here’s how you can do it too:
Step 1: Pick a master model design
You have two options to get the master model design you want.
Option 1: Pick an already designed model that is proven and tested.
Find a master model design that has been designed and tested (my bubble coaster master model is already tested for mold making and you can download it here, or you can find any design in marketplaces that sell 3D print files.)
Option 2: Design your own master model
You want to design your own master model instead of using a pre-made one. That’s totally fine! To help you out, here are some key tips to make the process smoother:
- Sketch first. Before opening any 3D software, sketch out your design on paper. It helps you visualize structure and dimensions before you start modeling.
- Choose the right software. If you’re new to 3D modeling, start with beginner-friendly softwares like Shapr3D or Fusion 360 instead of complex ones like Blender.
- Function over aesthetics. Your design isn’t just about looks. It needs to work. If you’re designing a planter, for example, don’t forget drainage holes so it actually works.
- Make it mold-friendly. Avoid unnecessary undercuts that can cause printing issues and make it hard to demold the final product from the mold.
- Expect trial and error. Your first 3D print might not be perfect. Print it, analyze it, adjust it, and reprint it again until it’s just right.
Step 2: Print it once
Use a local 3D printing service or print it yourself if you have access to a 3D printer. Choose resin, PLA or ABS for sharp detail and durability.
Step 3: Make your mold
Once you have your master model, pour silicone around it to make your mold. Add mold release if needed, and you’re good to go.
Step 4: Repeat the process
Use the same model again and again to make as many molds as you need—no redesigning, no rebuilding, no stress.
If you’re stuck in the DIY trap like I was, don’t wait for mold #10 to realize you need a reusable master model. You only need one reusable model to make dozens of molds. Start with a coaster. Get the exact coaster master model I used to make over 30 molds here.