{"id":4123,"date":"2026-10-05T15:35:55","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T13:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/?post_type=pt_guide&p=4123"},"modified":"2026-10-05T17:03:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T15:03:53","slug":"figure-molds-steel-vs-silicone","status":"publish","type":"pt_guide","link":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/studio\/guides\/figure-molds-steel-vs-silicone","title":{"rendered":"Figure moulds (molds): steel, metal or silicone, how to choose?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You never see moulds on a collector\u2019s shelf, yet they decide the quality, the cost and even the minimum quantity of a figure. Understanding how they work helps you read a quote and make the right choices from the 3D modelling stage. (In US English, you will read \u201cmold\u201d: it is exactly the same thing.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a figure mould for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The mould is the \u201chollow\u201d form in which the material takes the shape of your character. It is made from the approved 3D model (and the prototype), with a precision that determines everything else: a flaw in the mould will show on every piece produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A figure is rarely moulded in one block. Head, body, arms and accessories are often separate parts, each with its own mould or \u201ccavity\u201d, then assembled. That is why part splitting, planned from the 3D stage, has a direct impact on the number of moulds and therefore on the budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Painted<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heads and bodies of an EQSO The Crew figure: parts moulded separately, painted, then assembled.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What are the different types of moulds?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The steel injection mould<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Used for injected PVC<\/strong> and rigid plastics. It is a steel block machined with great precision, into which molten material is injected under high pressure. It is expensive and slow to make, but extremely durable<\/strong>, and it produces very consistent parts very quickly. It is the tool of large runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rotocasting mould<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Used for rotocast vinyl<\/strong>. The mould, made of thinner metal, is filled with a small amount of liquid material, then heated and rotated: the material coats the walls and forms a hollow part. It costs less than an injection mould and suits medium to large runs. It is the technique used for our EQSO art toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The silicone mould<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Used for resin<\/strong>. Silicone is poured around a master model (often the 3D-printed prototype): once cured, it forms a flexible mould into which resin is cast. It is cheap and quick to make<\/strong>, but it wears out after a limited number of casts and each piece has to be demoulded by hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Diagram<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Diagram<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The three kinds of moulds and the part each one produces.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How do the moulds compare?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Criterion<\/th>Steel (injection)<\/th>Metal (rotocasting)<\/th>Silicone (resin)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Material produced<\/td>PVC, rigid plastics<\/td>Soft vinyl<\/td>Resin<\/td><\/tr>
Cost to make<\/td>High<\/td>Medium<\/td>Low<\/td><\/tr>
Time to make<\/td>Long<\/td>Medium<\/td>Short<\/td><\/tr>
Lifespan<\/td>Very long<\/td>Long<\/td>Short<\/td><\/tr>
Level of detail<\/td>Very high<\/td>Good<\/td>Very high<\/td><\/tr>
Suitable run<\/td>Very large<\/td>Medium to large<\/td>Very small<\/td><\/tr>
Price range (market)<\/td>From around \u20ac3,000<\/td>\u20ac1,500 to \u20ac3,500 per 15\u201320 cm figure<\/td>The cheapest of the three<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n