The part
Photos, a drawing, a 3D file, or the original object.
Guide · custom moulds
Bespoke silicone moulds: a UK buyer's guide.
What “bespoke” really means, how a custom silicone mould is made, and how to brief one so you get the right mould first time.
Start here
What makes a mould bespoke?
A bespoke silicone mould is made for one job: your shape, your material and your process. That might be a one-off mould of a sculpture, a branded candle or soap mould, a production tray with dozens of identical cavities, or a precision tool for a moulded component.
Off-the-shelf moulds are made to suit as many buyers as possible. A custom mould is made around three things only you can tell us: the part you want to make, the material you are casting, and how many you need to make, how often.
Diagram
How a poured silicone mould is made
How a poured silicone mould is made
Swipe to see the whole diagram
Routes
Five ways to make a custom mould.
| Route | Best for | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-made poured moulds | One-off and short-run moulds, fine detail and deep undercuts | Hand-made moulds |
| Cast silicone tooling | Two-part and multi-part tools with a planned parting line, for repeat casting | Cast moulds |
| Vacuum-cast moulds | Bubble-free tools for resin and polyurethane prototypes and short runs | Vacuum-cast moulds |
| Compression moulds | Moulded silicone parts in batches, from a heated steel or aluminium tool | Compression moulds |
| Injection moulds | Higher volumes of identical parts with tight repeatability | Injection moulds |
Material
Choosing the right silicone.
- Tin-cure or platinum-cure. Tin-cure silicones are forgiving and economical for many craft and resin moulds. Platinum-cure silicones hold their size better, last longer with many materials and are used for food-contact moulds.
- Hardness. Softer silicones flex out of undercuts; firmer ones keep thin sections and large flat moulds true. Try our Shore hardness explorer.
- Heat. Wax, resin exotherm, low-melt metals and baking all need the right grade. See high-temperature moulds.
- What you cast. Some materials, such as certain resins and 3D-printed masters, can stop platinum silicone curing. We test before we pour.
Budget
What affects the cost of a bespoke mould.
Every mould is quoted to the job, and there is no honest single price. These are the things that move it most:
- Size and the amount of silicone needed.
- Undercuts and detail, which decide whether the mould is one piece, two parts or more.
- The master: whether you send one, or we scan, model or print it for you.
- Number of cavities and how identical they need to be.
- The route: a poured mould costs far less to set up than a steel compression or injection tool.
- Quantity and repeat orders, which spread the set-up cost.
Our approachWe'll suggest the simplest route that does the job properly. If a cheaper mould will do, we'll say so.
Brief
What to send for an accurate quote.
The size
Overall dimensions and any critical measurements.
What you cast
Wax, soap, resin, concrete, food or something else, and at what temperature.
The quantity
How many moulds, and how many casts you expect from each.
The finish
Gloss, matt, texture, or an exact copy of the master.
The deadline
When you need it. We'll be honest about what is realistic.
Questions
What buyers ask us.
Who makes bespoke silicone moulds in the UK?
TCI Mouldings designs and makes custom silicone moulds in Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, from one-off hand-made moulds to production tooling.
Can you make a mould from my own object?
Yes. Send or bring the original. We make the mould without damaging it where possible, and tell you first if there is any risk.
Can you make a mould from a 3D file?
Yes. We can print or machine a master from your file, then make the silicone mould from it.
How long does a silicone mould last?
It depends on what you cast, the temperature and how it is handled, so we won't promise a number without knowing the job. We'll recommend a grade for the life you need.
Do you make food-safe moulds?
Yes, in platinum-cure food-grade silicone. See our food-contact moulds page, or TCI Culinary for food production work.
Next step
Tell us what you want to make.
Send a photo, drawing or file. We'll suggest the right route and come back with honest questions.
Real people, a real workshop
You deal with the people who make it.
No call centre and no middlemen. When you contact TCI Mouldings, you speak to the team who design, build and check your mould.
- A real Warwickshire workshopUnit 15, Waterloo Park, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester B50 4JG.
- Real people on the phoneCall the team on 01789 224228, Monday to Friday.
- The same team on every jobDesign, production and aftercare come from the people you see here.
- Part of TCI GroupFive specialist brands, one engineering team. Visit TCI Group.
Thomas LaneManaging Director
George PrestonDesign & Project Manager
Kelly BallingerHead of Partnerships
Jim AndertonProduction Manager
TheodoreEmployee Welfare