If you need dozens of identical pieces (souvenirs, merchandise, components) or a chocolate mould for your cafe, printing them one by one is no longer the answer. Our silicone molding service in Jimbaran, Bali, is the middle ground: we 3D print one master, make a silicone mould from it, then cast the copies in resin. For food moulds, the silicone mould itself is the product. This article covers how long it takes, which silicone we use, when a mould really saves money, and what to send us to get started.
When Silicone Molding Makes Sense
A simple guide:
- One to a few pieces → print directly. No mould cost, no extra waiting. Our minimum order is IDR 100,000, with no minimum quantity.
- Dozens of identical pieces → this is where we start pricing two options: print them all, or one master plus a mould. The up-front cost of the mould route is one master and one mould; after that, each copy is much faster than reprinting.
- Thousands of pieces → we can still take it on, but the maths changes: at that volume we discuss a per-piece price directly. Tell us what you need.
The exact line between "print it" and "make a mould" depends on the part's size, shape and finish, which is why we don't set a single number. Tell us the quantity and we'll price both options in one quote.
There's one more reason to choose a mould, even for smaller runs: the surface. Copies from a silicone mould inherit the master's surface. If the master is printed in resin or sanded smooth, every copy comes out smooth, without the layer lines typical of a 3D print.
How Long: 2–5 Days for the Mould
Making the mould takes 2–5 days, depending on its size and shape. That figure is for the mould alone; the master is printed first (resin takes 2–3 days, FDM is usually done within a day). Once the master is ready, silicone is poured around it and the mould has to cure fully before the first copy can be cast. Our food-grade silicone, for example, needs overnight to cure.
Once the mould is done, casting copies goes much faster. For timings across all our services, read how long 3D printing takes.
The Silicone We Use
We use two types of silicone, depending on what the mould is for:
- Platinum-cure silicone (RTV-228): for food moulds and moulds that need high accuracy. Food grade (safe for food contact), translucent, heat-resistant up to 250 °C according to the manufacturer's spec, with minimal shrinkage. Its hardness is Shore 25A, the hardness scale for rubber and silicone: flexible enough to release shapes with undercuts, firm enough to hold its form.
- Tin-cure silicone (RTV-48 / RTV-52): for ordinary resin-casting moulds such as souvenirs, plaques and components. It cures faster (about 6 hours) and is fine for resin casting, but it is not for food contact.
The silicone type also sets how long a mould lasts. In our experience, a tin-cure mould lasts about 10 casts, while a platinum-cure mould gives about 30 without problems. For orders that need many casts, we factor that in.
If the mould is for food, say so up front. We'll use platinum-cure silicone. One thing people often mix up: the copies from a mould are resin: rigid, not flexible. The silicone is only the mould.
Chocolate and Food Moulds
This question comes up often: "Can you make a food-grade silicone mould for chocolate?" Yes, and that's exactly the right way to do it. We don't recommend FDM 3D prints themselves for direct food contact: the micro-gaps between layers are hard to clean to a truly hygienic standard. What touches the food is the platinum silicone mould; the 3D print only serves as the master that shapes it.
The workflow: we create the shape you want (a cafe logo, a signature product shape, or a seasonal design), print it as a master, then pour food-grade silicone around it. For food moulds, what you receive is the silicone mould. You pour the chocolate yourself, in your own kitchen. For souvenirs and components, we cast the copies in resin. More on food-safe materials in our 3D printing materials guide.
Mould Types
The shape of the part decides the type of mould:
- One-part (open-face): for parts with one flat side: magnets, plaques, coasters, chocolate bars.
- Two-part: for fully three-dimensional shapes; the copy is released from the split mould.
- Multi-cavity: one mould with several cavities, so each pour produces several pieces at once. This is what makes runs of dozens fast.
The Master: Resin or FDM?
The master is the first piece, and every copy inherits its shape, so its surface quality matters. For fine detail and a smooth surface, we print the master in SLA resin (the build area is 21 × 14 × 25 cm). For larger parts, the master is printed FDM (up to 40 cm in PLA/PETG) and smoothed before the silicone is poured. A full comparison of the two is in FDM vs SLA in Bali.
Have a physical object but no 3D file? It depends on the material: if it's compatible with silicone, the object itself can be the master. If not, or if the shape needs changing, we 3D scan it first and print the master.
Cost
Silicone molding cost has three parts: making the master (3D printing, plus design at IDR 150,000 per hour if there's no file yet), making the mould (depends on size and silicone type), and casting the copies. That's why we always quote per project. The general terms are the same as our other services: IDR 100,000 minimum order, 50% deposit for orders above IDR 300,000, and a 5% discount above IDR 3,000,000 and 7% above IDR 5,000,000. Every fixed figure is in our article on 3D printing cost in Bali.
FAQ
How long does it take to make a silicone mould?
2–5 days for the mould, depending on size and shape; the master is printed first. Once the mould is done, copies are cast much faster.
How many times can one mould be used?
It depends on the silicone: a tin-cure mould gives about 10 casts, a platinum-cure mould about 30 without problems. For larger quantities, we make more than one mould.
Is the mould food-safe?
If you ask for a food mould, we use food-grade platinum-cure RTV-228 silicone. The tin-cure silicone we use for resin moulds is not for food.
From how many pieces is a mould cheaper than 3D printing?
It depends on the part's size and shape, so there's no single number. Tell us the quantity you need, and we'll price both options in one quote, within 1–4 hours during working hours.
I only have a photo or a sketch. Can you work with that?
Yes. We model it first (IDR 150,000 per hour), print the master, then make the mould. If the original object exists, it can also be scanned.
Service details are on our silicone molding page. Have a design you need made dozens of times? Send your file (STL, OBJ, 3MF or STEP), photos or idea on WhatsApp with a rough quantity. All our contacts are on the 3D Lab Bali links page.