Mold making and Casting products through EnvironMolds, LLC

The casting procedure will vary depending on the technique used for making the mold. Casting a single piece mold is easier than a multi-part one, but the results will definitely be up to the mark.

The simplest process of mold making is to cover the model with an appropriate mold making material and let it set properly. Once cured and demolded, the covering will reveal a negative impression of the model complete with all the grooves, nooks and other details.

Different techniques of making molds – such as block, blanket, glove, poured, slush, etc. – can be used depending on the type of model and choice of materials. A model that is too floppy, has undercuts or does not have a flat bottom will even require the mold to be made in two or parts, called a multi-part mold.

Irrespective of the method and type of mold, once it is ready it is time to make the positive through the casting process. Here, the actual procedure for casting will vary depending on whether it is a single or multi-part mold.

Single mold casting – Casting in a single piece mold is quite easy. All that the artist has to do is mix the casting material of choice and pour it into the mold. The cast will set in some time and can be demolded before allowing it to cure completely. Care will have to be taken about applying a release agent, eliminating air bubbles and the like. However, the process still remains straightforward and the cast will be ready once it is finished and polished properly.

Multi-part mold casting – Making a mold in two or parts is definitely a complicated and time-consuming process. It follows that the casting process will not be simple either.

The process begins with aligning the different parts of the mold based on the keys. Once the mold comes together properly, it should be secured using heavy-duty bands. Backing boards will also be required in case the mold is flexible.

After securing the mold, the casting material can be mixed and poured into the mold through the sprue or air hole. Care is required again to ensure that the mold is full of the casting material and it reaches every indentation and undercut of the mold. Applying a release agent and eliminating air bubbles is obligatory yet again.

The cast is then allowed to set inside before removing the bands and pulling the mold parts apart. The cast can be removed and allowed to cure further. Cleaning, finishing and painting can be done as needed.

In sum, the techniques for casting in single and two part molds may be a bit different, but the final cast will definitely not leave anything wanting as long as the procedure is properly followed.

Once the cast is ready, it can be displayed or used as planned. Even the mold can be used to make multiple casts if it is not torn down when demolding the cast.

Mold making and casting will usually require a vacuum chamber and pump for eliminating trapped air from the material. Otherwise the air will end up marring your artwork and make it look unsightly.

Resins and rubbers are the most commonly used materials for making molds and casts. They are easy to use, capture details well and prove to be durable as well. However, the chief issue with using these materials is their propensity to trap air easily. This ends up as wart like indentations that create hideous surface defects on the finished castings.

The best way to eliminate the air bubbles is to use a vacuum pump with vacuum chamber. All you have to do is mix the resin or rubber and place it in the vacuum chamber. The vacuum pump will use pressure to pull out the air from the chamber and create a deep vacuum inside.

Therefore, this equipment makes a perfect addition to a mold maker or casting artist’s studio. The EnvironMolds website Artmolds.com provides a range of studio equipment including vacuum pumps and chambers. The ArtMolds vacuum chamber with pump is very popular among artists because of its low cost, professional grade quality and safety. The chamber has a 4 gallon capacity while the pump can pull up to 29 inches of mercury (Hg) at sea level, which is ideal for deairing pot life resins and silicones. The vacuum pump and chamber can be bought together or separately as well.

Apart from this, you also have the option of RotoKinetic vacuum chambers that are available in three different sizes – 1.25 gallons, 2 gallons and 5 gallons. They come with a built in solid state vacuum pump and require only an external compressed air supply. Alternatively, you can also order the vacuum chamber without the pump - a vent valve will be supplied with shutoff valve.

Similarly, the website also offers other vacuum pumps like USG Two-Stage 3 CFM Vacuum Pump, Robinair 6 CFM Vacuum Pump and Venturi type compressed air vacuum pump. All of them work well with the ArtMolds vacuum chamber.

The crafting industry has always focused on casting and mold making. Although their uses and applications are varied and longstanding, they play a pivotal role in today's artistic production as well as industrial manufacture. From leagues of centuries ago, sculptors and other artists have used plethora of techniques to make life-like casts. Today of course, the methodology has gone through a sea-change but the basics remained the same.


So before we get into the process of how to make molds, let’s understand what exactly this thing is. Mold is a distinctive block with a hollow cavity made out from a desired model (object). A mold is used to create the cast by pouring liquid wax (or other preferred molten material) into the hollow cavity. To remove the cast from the mold, a releasing agent is used which is nothing but a specific chemical that stops the both from sticking to each other.

Ceramics and glass items for tableware perhaps have been the oldest uses of molding and casting. Whether you want to make one or a hundred replicas of the original, you can do it with a mold.

The steps are generally pretty easy to follow even for the first time mold maker. Get the mix ratio correct (follow the instruction on the kit) although no weighing is necessary as such. Next, pour the material over the desired object and set it aside. If the model is some part of your body like the hand, keep it still. The set time is different for different materials. For instance, alginate sets faster in warn water than when mixed in cold water. After it is set completely, it is advices to reinforce the alginate with a plaster jacket of bandage. Once it’s cured, the entire thing is removed as one. This takes a bit of caution as alginate is very fragile. It can then be colored if required.



EnvironMolds is one of the reputable names in the casting and molding industry. You can order the kits for mold online from their website https://www.artmolds.com/. They also have the guided video instruction to follow in case you want to learn it on your own!