Candle Wicks

Plaster Molds

What is a Mold? What is a Masterblock?

Have you ever used cookie cutters with special little designs imprinted? You press the cutter down onto the dough and it leaves an exact opposite of the design you see in the cutter itself.
That's actually a mold.

A mold is something you can use over and over to replicate a design, shape, form. Think of the mold as the negative that forms your positive.

A master block is actually the permanent positive for your mold. From the master block, you can make numerous molds and from the mold, you can replicate numerous positives in the finished form.

Place your hand down onto rolled out dough and make a print. Your hand is the positive-the print in the dough is your negative.

If you happen to want numerous copies of an original, you will need a mold. From the mold, you can make 'repeats'.

If you also happen to need to know that you can make numerous molds, all exactly the same as the original mold, you will then need to freeze that design for all time, by making a master block of the original mold. In this way, you can continue to make the same exact mold, over and over for years. Thereby, freezing your design for all time.

Different types of molds

When people think 'mold making', it's very possible they wind up in all the wrong categories because they were thinking one thing and the search engines are coming up with yet a whole other item.

When it comes to making molds, there is a wide variety of types and uses. I thought I'd take some time to help clarify.

First, we look at the many types of materials one would use to make an object from a mold. Objects can be made from plasters (I say plural because of the many varieties of plaster and their uses), clay, resin and paper. Yup...paper. Well, there's also glass but we're pretty much sticking to things that can be formed without a furnace. There are also different metals, one can use.

For the most part, folks are trying this out at home so we will look at those forms that can be done on the kitchen table (if need be).

Molds to form items out of plasters, are made of rubber. Of course, you can make a plaster mold to turn out plasters but rubber is so much easier to live with.
Rubber molds are also made out of a variety of different rubbers and formulaes. Liquid latex is usually the easiest to find at a large craft supply store. Most of the other rubber compounds needs to come from the manufacturer,their reps or online.
When trying to decide which rubber to use, check for flexibility and release. Flexibility becomes important when you may or may not be using a mother mold. A mother mold is sort of a rigid backup, to hold your rubber mold in place. Like a cradle.
Release is important when you are making objects made of resins. Some rubber compounds come already formulated with a self release. It's sort of 'greasy' on the surface, all the time.
Especially with rubber compounds that aren't already self releasing, you will need something called 'mold release'. For rubber molds, this mold release is usually silicone but there are others and you need to make sure your rubber molds are compatible with the release.

Liquid latex molds are a 'build up' mold. It's created by layering coats of the rubber onto the object being copied. Enough layers, and you have a sturdy mold.

Molds made of plaster also depend on what type of object you care to reproduce, as to which type of plaster to use. Most times, it's just pottery or #1 pottery plaster (also known as plaster of paris).

For very large objects made from a plaster mold, I would suggest hydrostone instead. It's much denser and harder than #1 pottery plaster. You can make plaster objects using a plaster mold only if there are no undercuts to trap the object.

Another material I love using is called hydrogel. It's actually made from seaweed and harmless to the skin. Great for making forms of the human body. With hydrogel, one must immediately add on top of the soft new mold, a mother mold of plaster, in order to hold the hydrogel in form, as it is soft and pliable. Also, hydrogel molds can only be used once and pretty much immediately as the material dries up quickly. As it dries it shrinks and contorts.

This should give you a ballpark view of the different kinds of molds, materials and the uses.

DefaultBestsellingPrice: low to highPrice: high to lowAlphabetical: A to ZAlphabetical: Z to A

FROG Animal Candy Mold Chocolate List Price: $4.99 Sale Price: $2.49 You save: $2.50 (50%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description This is a first quality, tough plastic mold. It is durable and reusable. It is not machine washable. Suitable for chocolate and soap making as well as plaster and concrete crafting. FDA approved. Features Size: 2 13/16 X 1 7/8 X 1 13/16 Weight: 1.2 All of our molds are FDA approved. Our Chocolate Candy Molds are also suitable for molding soap, plaster and cement. This mold is 8 X 10 1/4 . Not suitable for children under 3 years old.

Activa Magic Color Plaster Casting Molds, 36 Designs Sale Price: $10.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 2 days See Reviews For This Product Description ACTIVA-Magic Color Plaster Casting Molds. For Use with Magic Color Plaster; Art Plaster; PermaStone; Activ-Clay; Wax; Soap and Resin. Contains thirty-six reusable molds in a variety of shapes and sizes: animals; vehicles; hearts; stars; fish; birds; bugs and a crown. Plaster is not included. Recommended for children ages 5 and up. Imported. Features Recommended for children ages 5 and up Plaster is not included

Plaster Casting Plastic Molds 5"X9" - Face Mask List Price: $1.99 Sale Price: $1.97 You save: $0.02 (1%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Lightweight plastic molds perfect for plaster crafting. Easy to use affordable durable and make highly detailed castings. Features Feb-45

CK Products Christmas Tree, Bells, Wreath, and Candy Canes Chocolate Mold Sale Price: $2.00   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description CK Products chocolate molds are first quality, plastic molds. They are durable and reusable. not machine washable. Our chocolate molds are suitable for chocolate, soap making, butter molding, ice-cubes, plaster and concrete crafting. These molds are FDA approved Features Pieces range from Bells 1-5/8-inch by 1-1/2-inch by 1/4-inch  to  Tree 1-3/8-inch by 2-inch by 1/4-inch 12 Cavities per mold This mold makes approximately 50 pieces per pound of chocolate Not dishwasher safe; do not use for hard candy or other hot ingredients FDA approved polypropylene plastic; use with chocolate, candy coating, soap, butter, or cream cheese

Plaster Casting Plastic Molds 5X7-Buttrfly/Flower List Price: $1.69 Sale Price: $1.06 You save: $0.63 (37%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description YALEY- Plaster Casting Mold: Butterflies and Flowers. Lightweight; plastic mold perfect for plaster crafting. Easy to use; affordable; durable; and great for making highly detailed castings. Use it over and over again. This mold makes three approximately 2-1/2x2x1/8in plaster castings. Mold itself measures approximately 7x5in. Made in USA. Features Feb-44

Mold Builder Liquid Latex Rubber 16oz/473ml List Price: $15.69 Sale Price: $12.76 You save: $2.93 (19%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 4-5 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Mold Builder Liquid Latex Rubber...Genuine liquid latex used for making molds to cast clear resin casting epoxy plaster candle wax and concrete. Contains natural latex and ammonia. Please use proper precaution when handling this product! Features Brush-on rubber for mold making Cast polyester resin, plaster, soap or candle wax Duplicate figurines, sculptures and other items with safe, brushable latex rubber Will not stick to metal, clay, ceramics, plaster, wood or plasticene clay Molds are durable, reusable, and economical to make

Easter Island Tiki Statue Mold LRG Concrete Plaster Sale Price: $35.95   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Brand New Large Easter Island Statue For Use With Concrete/Cement/Plaster - Beautiful Sculpture For Your Yard Or Home! This Easter Island statue looks great in the garden, on the patio, or a perfect compliment to your home decor! Add a great conversational piece with this beautiful replica of the mysterious Easter Island Statues! Features: Crafted from our commercial grade ABS rated for multiple molds (hundreds with proper mold care!) Detailed molding provides the highest level of quality castings. Large size statue measuring 20 inches tall and 10 inches wide. Can easily be painted to display your own unique style and taste! (Using sand mixed in with your paint, you can create a great lava-stone texture!) This is a limited production specialty mold, you wont find this statue at any home improvement super- store! Pouring your own molds ensures you get top notch results, mass produced castings are often full of air bubbles and chips. Each casting will only cost you only about $1.00 to produce! Similar statues sell for $100.00 and up each! Important Notes: Recommended for common pre-mix concrete with 1-2 day cure times. Casting instructions included with your mold - with helpful Youtube video links! Anyone can do it! Painted statues in our auction are for representational purposes only, no paint, dyes, or other supplies are included with the auction. All statues will de-mold in natural concrete color. Whats Included in the Box: One ABS Plastic Easter Island Statue Mold. Installation guide with helpful tips. Buy with confidence, our goal is 100% customer satisfaction - our feedback says it all! You are buying directly from the manufacturer - which allows us to provide the best customer service available. Features # Crafted from commercial grade ABS rated for multiple molds (hundreds with proper mold care) # Extremely detailed molding provides the highest level of quality castings Large size statue measuring 20 inches tall and 10 inches wide This is a limited production specialty mold, you wont find this statue at any home improvement super- store!

Darice EZ-06-529 Precious Impressions Memory Mold Infant Kit Sale Price: $14.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Create a precious keepsake with this memory mold kit. Material enough to create two infant statuettes of hands/feet. Includes complete instructions and all ingredients to create the molds. Features Recommended age of child model: 0-6 months Mounting plaque or other mounting materials not included Instructions in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese Net weight 1-1/2-pound Made in the USA

Buddha Statue Mold - Concrete Plaster Cement Sale Price: $19.95   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Brand New Buddha Statue For Use With Concrete/Cement/Plaster - Beautiful Sculpture For Your Yard Or Home! This Buddha statue looks great in the garden, on the patio, or a perfect compliment to your home decor! Features: Crafted from commercial grade ABS rated for multiple molds (hundreds with proper mold care) Detailed molding provides the highest level of quality castings. Measures 8" high, by 6" wide, about 4 inches thick. Can easily be painted to display your own unique style and taste! This is a limited production specialty mold, you wont find this statue at any home improvement super- store! Pouring your own molds ensures you get top notch results, mass produced castings are often full of air bubbles and chips. Each casting will only cost you only about $1.00 to produce! Similar statues sell for $50.00 and up each! Important Notes: Recommended for common pre-mix concrete with 1-2 day cure times. Casting instructions included with your mold - with helpful Youtube video links! Anyone can do it! Whats Included in the Box: One ABS Plastic Buddha Head Statue Mold. Installation guide with helpful tips. Buy with confidence, our goal is 100% customer satisfaction - our feedback says it all! Features Crafted from commercial grade ABS rated for multiple molds (hundreds with proper mold care) Measures 8" high, by 6" wide, about 4 inches thick This is a limited production specialty mold, you wont find this statue at any home improvement super- store!

CK Products 3-Inch Starfish Chocolate Mold Sale Price: $2.00   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description CK Products chocolate molds are first quality, plastic molds. They are durable and reusable. not machine washable. Our chocolate molds are suitable for chocolate, soap making, butter molding, ice-cubes, plaster and concrete crafting. These molds are FDA approved Features Each starfish piece is 3-inch by 3-inch by 1/2-inch 5 Cavities per mold This mold makes approximately 20 pieces per pound of chocolate Not dishwasher safe; do not use for hard candy or other hot ingredients FDA approved polypropylene plastic; use with chocolate, candy coating, soap, butter, or cream cheese