How to get started in silicone mold making basic beginner guide

So you are wondering how to get started in silicone mold making, not sure what you need ? In this post, we will put down a list of basics to help you get started in silicone mold making.

First thing first, you will need the master model to create a silicone mold. If you already have the master model that's great! if you don't, unfortunately you won't be able to create a silicone mold, but you can, of course, create a master model.

Master Model
So you want to create an unique, one of a kind design you have in mind. There're a few methods of making your own master model. You can 3D print your master model. You can also create your master model from clay.

Please remember that the silicone will copy 99% from the master model, it will pick up any pores, holes, scratches. Be sure that the master model that you have created is of the best version of what you want to avoid wasting time and energy.

Types of Silicone
There are many types of silicone available, at Malaysia Clay Art we have 2 types of liquid silicone, generally known as industrial grade silicone mold and food grade silicone. Also known as Tin Cured Silicone and Platinum Cured silicone.

Malaysia Clay Art Industrial grade silicone mold maker (tin cured silicone)

• Pot life of about 10 minutes for brush on application.
• Pot life of about 4 minutes for pouring.
• 100g : 2g mixing ratio.
• 4 hours curing time.
• Suitable for most materials.

Malaysia Clay Art food grade silicone mold maker (platinum cured silicone)

• Pot life of about 30 minutes.
• 1:1 mixing ratio.
• 8 hours curing time.
• Suitable for most materials.

What is Shore Hardness
Shore Hardness is a measure of the resistance a material has to indentation. There are different Shore Hardness scales for measuring the hardness of different materials. Malaysia Clay Art's silicone mold maker comes in different shore hardness. E.g Shore A 10 would be softer than a Shore A 45.

Shore hardness is something you should consider when you are making your mold. For an example, you would not want a super stiff or hard for you candle making mold, you might break the candle while you are trying to demold.

Types of Clay
if you are modeling or sculpting your master model using clay, here's something you need to take note of. Platinum cured silicone will not cure properly if the clay contain sulfur, however it would not be a problem for Tin cured silicone.

Here's the link to the types of clay if you are interested 

• NSP Clay (non sulfur plasticine clay)
  suitable for food grade (platinum cured) silicone mold maker.
• Oil Clay 
  suitable for industrial grade (tin cured) silicone mold maker.

Tools
These tools definitely comes in handy for mold making :

• Hot glue gun
• 11 PCS Clay and Sculpture Tool Set
• Ball tools

Wall
Since silicone does not stick to most surfaces, you can basically use any material to build the base or the wall. If you are making smaller item you can consider using these bricks.

• Silicone mold making bricks