Whether you are just getting started making gummies or you are looking to grow, this guide will tell you everything we know about silicone gummy molds, and which ones are right for you.
Candy Pros does not sell molds, this post has no ads or affiliate links, it is just our honest attempt to help our customers buy the right molds. We sell an easy melt bulk gummy candy delivering the lowest cost and highest quality gummies every time! Since our customers all need molds we put together this comprehensive and unbiased guide to everything you need to know about silicone gummy molds.
How you make your gummies and how many you make will determine the kind of molds you need, this guide is for gummy makers that are hand depositing, hand pouring, pour and scrape and using a table top depositor, not for companies running a gummy production line. The really short summary of this really long guide is that you definitely want silicone gummy molds. They are the gold standard in candy molds, but you may want platinum! Confused? Keep reading to learn all about premium platinum silicone vs traditional food grade platinum and the two different ways silicone molds are made and to select the molds that make the most sense for your budget and you business.
This guide is gargantuan, but that's because it covers:
- The different types of Silicone: (Normal vs Platinum).
- The different ways silicone gummy molds are made: (injection molding vs casting).
- How to tell the differences between molds.
- Gummy mold prices and how to fairly compare mold prices.
- How to choose the right silicone gummy molds for your needs and budget.
- Recommended vendors for gummy molds.
- Tips for how to get the best performance out of your molds.
How Much for a Gummy Bear Candy Mold?
When it comes to making gummies, whether for home use or small-scale commercial operations, the choice of mold can significantly influence both the cost and efficiency of production. Molds can be one of the largest upfront costs for a new gummy makers. Silicone molds prices vary widely, you can buy gummy bear candy mold for as little as $5 at Michael's or for under $2 on Amazon (in a pack of four). You can also pay $250 or more for a for a single mold. Of course there are quality differences, and we will cover those in detail, but before you can look at the various silicone candy mold prices and decide which ones make sense for you, you need to know how to compare prices of silicone gummy bear molds.
If you are making gummies by hand depositing or flood pouring or using a tabletop candy depositor, pricing by cavity is the most meaningful way to evaluate mold costs in gummy candy production, as it offers a insight into the cost-effectiveness and production capabilities of a mold. A cavity is the "hole" where you put your liquid gummy (slurry). The price per cavity is the total price of the mold divided by the number of cavities, which is the number of gummies it makes in a single use.
The number of cavities in a mold is affected by several factors:
- The shape of the cavity (and how tightly the cavities can be packed together).
- The size of the cavity (both the size of the opening, usually in centimeters, and the volume, usually in milliliters).
- The total size of the mold, it's over all dimensions. (Obviously a full sheet mold cost more than a half sheet mold).
When comparing prices per cavity it is essential to make sure you are comparing cavities of the same volume.
This method allows manufacturers to assess the value of their investment by focusing on the potential output and revenue generation per cavity, rather than the total cost of the mold. It highlights efficiency and scalability, where molds with more cavities and reasonable per-cavity costs can significantly boost production speed and volume, directly impacting profitability. Ultimately, pricing by cavity aids in making informed purchasing decisions that align with both operational goals and budget constraints.
Why are the Premium Silicone Gummy Molds So Expensive?
Even when comparing production molds with a similar number of the same-sized cavities, mold prices can still vary by a factor of 4-5X. There are 2 major factors that influence the costs of these molds:
- The manufacturing technique of the molds is a major factor in the price of a mold.
Injection-molded candy molds are much cheaper to make and use less material than premium slab silicone molds. - The type of silicone used, food grade non-stick silicone or platinum silicone, and the durometer (hardness) of the silicone is the other major price differentiator of premium gummy molds.
How Can I Tell the Difference Between Silicone Candy Molds?
Physical Characteristics
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Flexibility and Rigidity: Injection molded silicone molds tend to be more flexible due to their thinner construction, which is necessary for the intricate details they often feature. On the other hand, slab silicone molds are generally thicker and more rigid, offering a sturdier feel and easier handling.
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Finish and Detail: Injection molded molds typically have a very smooth finish and can include very fine details. Slab silicone molds tend not to have as fine detail as in injection molded molds due to the limitations of the carving or cutting process.
Performance Attributes
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Demolding: Due to their flexibility, injection molded silicone molds can be slower and more delicate when demolding, especially with intricate designs. Slab silicone molds, being more rigid, often allow for quicker and easier demolding, making them more efficient for higher volume production.
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Durability: Slab silicone molds, due to their thickness and rigidity, can offer greater durability and longevity, especially under frequent use. Injection molded molds, while also durable, may show wear more quickly if used extensively, especially around finer details.
Telling Gummy Candy Molds from Silicone Chocolate Molds
It's crucial to select the appropriate molds for chocolates and gummies, as each has unique requirements dictated by the substances being molded and the kind of finished product you want. Here's how to distinguish between chocolate and gummy molds and emphasizing their specific features:
Material and Flexibility
- Gummy Molds: These are predominantly made from silicone due to its flexibility and non-stick properties, which are essential for easily demolding the stickier gummy mixture without causing damage. Silicone's resilience to a wide range of temperatures makes it versatile for gummy production.
- Chocolate Molds: There are chocolate gummy molds and dual purpose chocolate candy molds, but chocolate candy molds are typically crafted from rigid materials like polycarbonate, these molds are designed to give chocolates a glossy finish. Polycarbonate molds, in particular, are favored for their ability to imprint intricate designs onto the chocolate's surface, offering a smooth and detailed finish.
Design and Cavity Features
- Uniform Cavity Wall Height: Essential for gummy molds to facilitate the "flood and scrape" method, allowing for consistent mixture levels across the mold for even thickness and dosing of gummies. This feature is critical, especially for THC or CBD-infused gummies, where dosing accuracy is paramount.
- Breakable Sections in Chocolate Molds: Contrary to the uniform cavity walls in gummy molds, chocolate molds designed for bars with breakable sections feature cavities without full wall heights. This strategic design enables the creation of pre-defined break points, facilitating easy snapping of the bar into smaller pieces.
Temperature Resistance
- Chocolate molds are suited for the lower temperatures of melted chocolate (around 86°F to 90°F for dark chocolate), whereas gummy molds can withstand the higher temperatures required for gummy candy mixtures, thanks to silicone's ability to endure temperatures from freezing up to 260°F.
Choosing the right mold for your candy creation involves understanding these key differences. Chocolate molds excel in creating detailed and glossy finishes for chocolates and are designed with specific cavity features for bars with breakable sections. In contrast, gummy molds, made from flexible silicone, support the unique production needs of gummy candies, including uniform cavity wall height for consistent dosing and the ability to withstand higher pouring temperatures. Knowing these distinctions ensures not only the functionality and consumer satisfaction of the final product but also compliance with precise dosing requirements for infused edibles.
Nonstick Food Safe Silicone vs Platinum Silicone for Gummies
It’s important to note that not all silicone molds are the same. In fact, there are multiple types of silicone used in the production of candy molds (and even more types in other non food safe products). So what is platinum silicone
Food Grade Silicone Molds and BPA Free Non-Stick Silicone Candy Molds
Food Grade Silicone is designed specifically for products that come into contact with food. All food-grade silicone is free of BPA, BPS, and other phthalates. It's also free of latex and other chemical additives. Food-grade silicone is a durable, non-toxic, tasteless material that has stable chemical properties, and can withstand high temperatures up to 220° F. This makes it ideal for kitchenware like chocolate molds and of course gummy molds. If you want to be technical, food-grade silicone is a stable inorganic polymer colloid material formed by polycondensation of silicic acid, but the important part is that FDA regulations for food grade silicone require it to:
- Be resistant to chemicals and animal fat
- Be waterproof
- Be non-toxic
- Be tasteless
- Have stable chemical properties
- Not react with any acid and alkali salts under normal conditions, except for caustic alkali and hydrofluoric acid
Normally this kind of silicone is peroxide-cured. This means that it use peroxide as a catalyzer during the curing process.
Platinum Silicone is made by curing silicon dioxide through high-temperature platinum, which acts as a catalyst. It has all the same health benefits as Yes, food-grade silicone, but this platinum curing process grants the material enhanced thermal stability, and chemical inertness, allowing it to endure a wide temperature range (approximately -40°C to 230°C, with some types withstanding up to 260°C). Its stability and lack of metal content make it highly suitable for medical and food applications due to its safety and durability. Platinum silicone is considered safe and non-toxic, making it ideal for use in food-grade and medical products. Its high stability means it doesn't release harmful chemicals even when exposed to extreme temperatures. It's also non-reactive with most substances, ensuring that it won't leach chemicals into food or degrade when in contact with various chemicals. The only downside is that the the manufacturing process and high-quality materials can make platinum silicone products more expensive than those made from regular silicone
Differences in Performance of Platinum Silicone
Platinum silicone outperforms regular silicone in several key areas due to its enhanced properties:
- Temperature Resistance: It can safely be used in a broader range of temperatures without deforming or breaking down.
- Chemical Stability: More resistant to chemicals, it doesn't react with food or body fluids, making it safer for medical and food use.
- Durability: Its resistance to wear and tear from cleaning agents and everyday use makes it a more durable option for kitchenware and medical devices.
In summary, platinum silicone offers significant advantages in safety, performance, and durability over regular food-grade silicone, justifying its use in applications where quality and safety are paramount. However, its higher cost might not be necessary for all uses, making food-grade silicone a sufficient choice for less demanding applications.
How Gummy Bear Silicone Molds are Made
Injection Molded Silicone Molds are created using a high-pressure injection method where liquid silicone is injected into a mold cavity. This process allows for intricate designs and precise shapes. These molds often have a smoother, more uniform surface and can include complex details due to the precision of injection molding.
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See how injection molded liquid silicone parts are made. |
Slab Silicone Molds are made by pouring liquid silicone into a flat mold. Once cured, the silicone is cut or carved into the desired mold shape. This method is more straightforward and can result in molds that are thicker and more rigid. Historically they had a more handcrafted appearance, but today, with modern CNC production, their tolerances and consistency are very high today. These molds can also be customized much more easily.
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See how solid slabs of silicone can be carved with a CNC milling machine to make molds. |
Unique Shapes: Square, Cube, Star, Heart, Bear, Fun Mini Animal, Worm and Dinosaur Gummy Candy Molds
Gummy bears were the first gummy candy and bears remain a popular shape. Sharks, worms, dinosaurs and mini animal molds remain popular mold choices too, but if you are making infused gummies, these are not the right molds for you.
When shopping for molds for THC-infused edibles, it's essential to navigate state regulations wisely, especially those concerning the prohibition of child-appealing shapes. State laws, such as those in California and Colorado, mandate that THC edibles must not be produced in shapes that could attract children. This includes animals, fruits, and cartoon characters. While Gummy Bears Molds and Dinosaur Gummy molds might be popular for their fun designs, they are not suitable choices for THC-infused gummies due to these regulations.
Opt for square silicone candy mold and geometric shapes. These molds still benefit from the advantages of silicone—such as easy demolding and cleaning—while complying with legal requirements. Some manufacturers want a unique shape and unique gummy molds as part of their branding or to differentiate themselves. But before you get too creative you'll want to check your local regulations.
State Labelling requirements and Gummy Silicone Mold Selection
The adoption state specific symbols and THC regulatory symbols across North America, including the unique Massachusetts symbol among others, introduces specific considerations for gummy mold selection in the THC-infused edibles market. These regulatory symbols, which vary by state and are designed for consumer safety and information, have a direct impact on mold selection. Be sure to check thc regulatory symbols per state if you produce in multiple states. Here’s an expanded view of how these regulations impact gummy mold selection:
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Direct Imprint Requirements: States like Colorado have led the way by requiring the THC symbol to be directly imprinted onto the edible itself, not just on the packaging. This necessitates molds that can accommodate such imprints, ensuring the symbol is legible and meets size requirements specified by regulations, such as those in Massachusetts where each edible serving must feature the symbol in a clear, recognizable manner.
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Design Limitations: With the goal of reducing appeal to children and distinguishing THC-infused products from regular candies, regulations have influenced mold designs to favor simplicity and compliance over novelty. Molds must produce gummies that can incorporate regulatory symbols without compromising the product's integrity or causing confusion with non-infused candies. This limits the use of intricate designs or shapes that might obscure the symbol or make the product appealing to minors.
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Size and Clarity: The requirements for symbol size and clarity on each edible serving dictate the minimum size and shape of gummies that can be produced. Molds must be chosen or designed to ensure that each gummy has enough flat or suitable surface area to clearly bear the regulatory symbol, as seen with the Massachusetts symbol which must appear on each edible serving.
The selection of gummy molds for THC-infused products is now a process deeply intertwined with regulatory compliance, specifically concerning the direct imprint of THC symbols. Producers must navigate a complex landscape of state-specific requirements, designing molds that ensure product safety, consumer information, and regulatory compliance, all while maintaining the appeal and quality of their products. This evolving regulatory environment demands a balance between creativity in product design and the stringent standards set forth by state cannabis control authorities.
I Want a Sweet Deal on Durable Molds, What Perfect Mold Should I Buy?
We've covered a lot, and you may be asking what are the best silicone gummy molds to buy? There is no best mold, only the best molds for you and your business. We made a little flow chart to help you think about the decisions.
For those operating on a tight budget or just dipping their toes into the world of candy making, injection molded silicone molds cost about 20-50% of their premium slab silicone molds counterparts, and this is an attractive option for many people. It makes entering into gummy making more accessible without such a hefty initial investment. However, the trade-off with injection molded molds comes in the form of a slower demolding process, less durability, and shorter mold life.
Injection molds can also have much greater fine detail, but this is generally not an important factor for gummy candy manufacturing but if you are trying to use the same molds for chocolate it's worth being aware of. The inherent flexibility of injection molded silicone, while beneficial for intricate designs and ease of use, means that removing set gummies takes more time, potentially reducing overall production speed for those looking to scale or maintain rapid production. Additionally injection molds tend to wear our faster.
When choosing between injection molded and slab silicone candy molds, consider the level of detail you need, how frequently you'll be using the molds, and the ease of demolding. Obviously there is a cost factor as well. Both types have their advantages, whether you prioritize lifetime cost or upfront cost and detail or durability and efficiency in your candy-making process.
On the other hand, for larger-scale operations that prioritize efficiency and durability—especially those utilizing high-volume flood pouring and tabletop depositors—the investment in platinum silicone molds becomes increasingly justified. The upfront cost is higher, but the value is found in the molds' increased durability and significantly faster demolding capabilities. These characteristics are crucial for operations looking to scale up production without sacrificing the quality or detail of their gummies. As a result, many businesses find that, despite the initial cost, upgrading to platinum slab molds is a prudent decision that pays dividends in the form of improved productivity and a smoother, more efficient production cycle. The choice between injection molded and slab silicone molds, therefore, hinges on the scale of operation and the balance each maker wishes to strike between cost, efficiency, and production volume.
Recommended Vendors for Premium Silicone Gummy Molds
Below is a curated list of reputable vendors known for their high-quality slab molds suitable for both hobbyists and professional candy makers which cater to the candy and cannabis industries. Listed in alphabetic order:
Bold Maker
Bold Maker is very well regarded and offers innovative and versatile mold options. They provide a variety of molds tailored for gummies, chocolates, and other edibles. They offer platinum silicone molds as well as polycarbonate molds.
Dark City Molds
Dark City Molds has established itself as a trusted provider of confectionery equipment. They offer a wide selection of gummy molds and are known for their durability and precision. The offer a Rose Pro™ Series silicones with their best performance in demolding, durability, and surface finish as well as more affordable Trans Platinum silicone molds.
Vector Molds
Vector Molds is renowned for its custom mold solutions. Offering both standard and bespoke designs, they work closely with clients to create molds that meet specific requirements. Their products are crafted with precision, using materials that guarantee longevity and ease of use.
Budget Gummy Candy Silicone Molds Recommendation
PJ Bold
PJ Bold is a popular choice among those looking for injection molded silicone molds. They provide molds that are not only functional but also feature fun and creative designs. PJ Bold's commitment to quality ensures that each mold is non-stick, flexible, and easy to clean.
When selecting a vendor for gummy molds, consider factors such as the variety of designs offered, the quality of materials used, customer reviews, and the level of customer service provided. Whether you are in the business of crafting THC-infused edibles or gourmet gummies, these vendors offer the premium molds necessary to produce high-quality, consistent, and safe products.
