A Guide on How to Make Silicone Molds

September 14, 2018

Ever wondered what it would be like to make your own silicone molds for food, art projects, or fixes around the house?

Making silicone molds is a load of fun and probably not as hard as you think either.

With a few basic materials and little creativity, you’ll be making custom ice cubes for cocktails or clay chess pieces for your new marble chessboard.

Interested in a particular part of the mold making process? Use the links below to jump straight to that section:

Silicone Mold Making Supplies

You’ll only need a few materials to start making your molds, and best of all, they don’t cost much. Silicone molds are the result of a chemical reaction. Once your silicone solution comes into contact with a catalyst, it begins to harden.

Some of the more basic silicone mixes come in one solution rather than two parts. However, these more basic solutions tend to take longer to harden and lack durability. For a serious DIY project with positive results, it’s best to pick up a two-part solution molding kit.

Some solutions will harden very quickly, and some won’t. Some of the more advanced silicone solutions and ingredients will allow you to control the speed at which they solidify.

Here are the necessary ingredients—and some optional ones that might make the process more efficient (and fun):

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  • Silicone Solution: The typical kit comes with two silicone solutions, part A and part B. The two will need to be mixed together to achieve the reaction. Note: Don’t mix the two parts until you have everything else ready to make your molds. In most cases, Parts A and B will be mixed in a 1:1 ratio. Be sure to read the instructions before starting the process.
  • Mold Release: Unless you want to cut the mold from the container you’re making it in, it’s a good idea to incorporate mold release into your solution. This will allow you to easily remove the mold.
  • Catalyst: A catalyst isn’t necessary in most cases; however, some solutions do require it. Using a catalyst may also be a great way to speed up the process if you’re in a hurry and you need to make a lot of molds quickly.
  • Thinner: This component is pretty much self-described; it thins out your solution if it gets too thick or you mess up the viscosity of your mix.
  • Thickener: If your solution is too thin, or you need a sturdier, more durable mold, a thickener can help. Be careful not to add too much, or you could end up ruining your mix and having to start from scratch.
  • Coloring: Adding a little dye to your mold can give it a unique look and aesthetic. If you’re making a customized ice cube tray, consider throwing in a little dye so it doesn’t become an eyesore in your freezer.
  • Razor Knife: You may need a razor to cut away any excess molding after your solution sets.

You can find all of the products you need to get started on your silicone mold project in our inventory. Shop online and have the essentials delivered right to your home.

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How to Make Your own Silicone Mold

There are several aspects to consider when determining how to make silicone molds. For starters, you should set up a work station. Basic types of silicone molds will harden and stick to surfaces as they dry, so it’s important to take the appropriate precautions.

We suggest covering your workstation with disposable plastic wrap before getting started. Disposable aprons or clothes you don’t care about are also a plus.


Once you have your workstation set up, it’s time to start thinking about what kind of molds you’re making. If you’re interested in making food-grade molds, you will need to read the next section as well. For non-food safe molds, you can use standard RTV rubber mold making products.

If the mold you want to create is relatively small, the easiest thing to do is find a small plastic container that you don’t mind disposing of after you use it.

You can place the object that you wish to make a cast out of at the bottom of your container. Once you have everything in place, it’s time to mix your solution.

Never mix your solution in the container that you plan on making your mold in.

It’s best to mix parts A and B in something like a disposable (but clean) plastic cup and then pour the mixed solution into your vessel.

Pro Tip: Determine the size of mold you wish to make before getting started so you can measure accordingly.

Not having enough solution can seriously throw a wrench in the mix (pun intended). You can’t mix up another batch and add to the mix because it won’t set at the same rate—and of course, using too much solution is just wasteful.

Once the silicone sets, you can flip your container upside down, let the mold drop out or cut away the container, and remove the object.

There you have it! You know how to make silicone molds.

How to Make Silicone Molds for Food

Making molds for food is a slightly different process, mostly because it requires food safe ingredients. It’s best to order a food-grade silicone mold kit from a supplier that specializes in silicone mold projects.

Any food-grade silicone mold project should be handled with extra care; after all, you’re going to use it to make food products.

Check out this detailed video about how to make food-grade molds or keep reading for further instructions.

Just like with a standard non-food-grade mold, you will need a container or vessel to make it in.

Ensure that your vessel or container doesn’t have any elements that could contaminate your food or interfere with your silicone’s ability to set. We recommend making your container out of foam board and clay.

Doing so allows you to easily break away the vessel that holds your molding once it sets.

It can also be advantageous to lay down a clay base (as long as it doesn’t include any elements that disrupt the setting process).

Pushing your object into clay is a great way to prevent the liquid mold from getting underneath your object. A hot glue gun may also be used to prevent any leaks that occur during the curing and setting process.

If you want to make molds for commercial purposes and you need your product to look clean and consistent, air bubbles are your enemy. Once you’ve made your box or container mold, and your mix is ready, slowly pour the mix into the corner of your mold.

By slowly pouring from one corner, you can eliminate air bubbles naturally. Additionally, gently dropping your container onto a hard surface will help air trapped into your mold rise to the surface.

Silicone molds may need to set overnight; however, there is a way to speed up the process. What many sources won’t tell you when you’re learning how to make silicone molds is that the curing can be sped up with heat.

Just make sure that the product you’re using allows for heat treatment before you try it.

Most silicone molds allow you to use a blow dryer on the outside of your molds container to speed up the process.

Making food molds can be difficult—especially if the objects your molding have complex shapes. If you’re just getting started with food molds, we recommend starting with simple objects like stars, seashells, and other basic, flat shapes.

With enough practice, you’ll be making chocolate army men and unicorn pop sickles before you know it.

Now that you’ve learned how to make your own silicone molds, it’s time to pick up your supplies and get started.

Whether you’ve caught the DIY bug, or you plan on starting an online candy business, AeroMarine can help you acquire the highest quality silicones for your next DIY project.

Generic store-bought silicone will quickly and decompose and fail to stand the test of time, but the food safe silicone mold making rubber from AeroMarine is a cut about the rest. From epoxy resins for your boat to cured silicone, AeroMarine is your go-to source for an array of projects.  Questions?  Contact us at info@aeromarineproducts.com or toll-free at 1-877-342-8860

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