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If you've started experimenting with Resincrete, you'll quickly discover just how many silicone moulds are available.
From simple trinket dishes and coasters to decorative vases, letters and intricate ornaments, there's certainly no shortage of designs to tempt you!
But do you really need to spend a fortune on expensive silicone moulds, or are the cheaper alternatives just as good?
At Curious Cast Studio, I've bought most of my moulds from Temu, along with others from Amazon. I've had some surprisingly good results with inexpensive moulds, but I've also had a few disasters along the way.
In this guide, I'll share my experiences, the things I look for when buying moulds and why some beautiful designs aren't necessarily practical when working with Resincrete.
Are Cheap Silicone Moulds Any Good?
In my experience, yes, they certainly can be!
I've used plenty of inexpensive silicone moulds to create my handmade trinket dishes and ornaments, and some have worked just as well as I'd hoped.
I've also had moulds that haven't worked particularly well.
And interestingly, those problems haven't been limited to the cheapest ones.
I've bought disappointing moulds from both Temu and Amazon, which has taught me that price alone doesn't always tell you whether a mould will be suitable.
For me, the most important things are the quality of the mould, how well it holds its shape and whether the design works with the casting material I'm using.
What Can Go Wrong with Cheap Silicone Moulds?
1. Moulds That Arrive Bent or Folded
One particularly frustrating experience involved silicone letter moulds.
I ordered a set that arrived folded during packaging, which distorted some of the letters in the middle.
Unfortunately, those sections were no longer suitable for producing the shapes I wanted.
I tried ordering again, only to experience the same problem a second time!
It's incredibly frustrating when a mould looks perfectly good in the product photographs but arrives in a condition that makes parts of it unusable.
This is something I'd particularly watch out for when buying larger or more delicate moulds.
2. Moulds That Don't Hold Their Shape
Another problem I've encountered is with silicone vase moulds.
Some of the cheaper designs have very flexible walls without much external support.
When you're pouring Resincrete, moving the mould or gently tapping it to help the mixture settle, those walls can shift or distort.
I've also experienced problems where a mould doesn't hold its intended shape properly, leaving a vase with an oval opening rather than a round one.
It's not necessarily something you'd notice from the product listing.
At the more expensive end of the market, I've seen vase moulds costing around £60–£90 that have thicker walls or separate outer supports designed to help maintain their shape.
I'm not suggesting beginners need to spend that much money on a mould, but I can see why additional support becomes important with larger designs.
3. Beautiful Designs That Aren't Practical for Resincrete
This is something I wish I'd considered more carefully when I first started buying moulds.
Just because a mould looks amazing doesn't mean it's going to work particularly well with Resincrete.
I've come across intricate designs with tiny openings, thin sections and delicate details that are much better suited to liquid resin.
Octopus moulds are one example.
Those detailed tentacles might look fantastic in a finished resin ornament, but filling all those tiny spaces with Resincrete can be difficult.
And even if you manage to fill them, removing the finished piece without breaking delicate sections can be another challenge.
Resincrete starts thickening quite quickly, so you don't always have much time to manipulate the mixture into complicated spaces.
For beginners, I'd definitely recommend starting with simpler designs.
What's the Difference Between Silicone and Rubber Moulds?
One thing I've noticed when experimenting with different moulds is how the mould's surface can affect the finish of the piece.
Some of the moulds I've used have very smooth, glossy interiors, while others have a more rubbery, matt finish.
With traditional resin, I've found that glossy silicone moulds can produce a lovely shiny surface without much additional finishing.
Other moulds can produce a duller surface, even when they capture the detail of the design beautifully.
Resincrete behaves differently from clear resin, and the final finish will also depend on the casting powder and any sealers used.
It's worth looking carefully at the inside of a mould rather than judging it purely by its shape.
Even moulds sold as silicone can have noticeably different surface textures.
Which Silicone Moulds Are Best for Resincrete Beginners?
If you're just getting started, I wouldn't recommend rushing out and buying lots of complicated designs.
I'd choose one or two relatively simple moulds and get comfortable with mixing, pouring and demoulding first.
Here are a few designs worth considering.
Oval Trinket Dish Moulds
Oval trinket dishes are one of the shapes I use regularly at Curious Cast Studio.
They're a lovely starting point because you can keep the design simple or experiment with different colours, marbling, decoupage and decorative finishes.
View the Set of Two Oval Silicone Moulds on Amazon
This set includes two moulds, making it a good-value option if you'd like to experiment with different designs.
Small Heart Trinket Dish Moulds
Small heart-shaped dishes are another favourite of mine.
They're useful for creating little decorative pieces and make a lovely base for experimenting with different patterns and finishes.
View Small Heart Silicone Moulds on Amazon
Coaster Moulds
Coasters are another option worth considering, especially if you're interested in experimenting with pigments and marbled effects.
Their relatively simple shapes can make them easier to work with than more intricate decorative moulds.
View Coaster Set Moulds on Amazon
If you're planning to use finished coasters for drinks, remember to check that your chosen casting material and sealer are suitable for that purpose.
Bubble Trinket Dish Moulds
If you'd like something a little different, bubble-style trinket dish moulds offer a more decorative shape.
They're worth considering once you're comfortable with basic pouring and demoulding.
View Bubble Trinket Dish Mould on Amazon
Simple Vase Moulds
Vases can be lovely decorative projects, but I'd be a little more careful when choosing the mould.
Make sure it has enough support to maintain its shape, especially if it's tall or has thin flexible walls.
View Simple Vase Moulds on Amazon
And remember that a cast decorative vase isn't automatically waterproof or suitable for holding fresh flowers in water. That depends on the materials and finishing products used.
What Should You Look for When Buying Silicone Moulds?
After experimenting with different designs, these are the things I'd pay particular attention to.
Wall thickness and support
Does the mould look sturdy enough to hold its shape when filled? This is especially important for larger trays and tall vases.
Flexibility
A mould needs to be flexible enough to release the finished piece, but not so flimsy that it loses its shape during casting.
The level of detail
Think about whether Resincrete will flow into all the small spaces and whether the finished piece will survive demoulding.
Surface finish
A smooth mould interior can help produce a smoother casting, while textured surfaces may transfer their appearance to the finished piece.
Customer photographs and reviews
If possible, look at photographs from people who've actually used the mould.
Product listing pictures don't always show how flexible or substantial a mould really is.
And if you're buying a larger mould, check whether it comes with a supporting frame or outer shell.
Can You Use Resin Moulds for Resincrete?
Often, yes!
I've used moulds originally sold for resin when making my Resincrete pieces.
However, not every mould designed for resin is necessarily a good choice for Resincrete.
Traditional liquid resin generally has a longer working time and can flow into small, detailed spaces more easily.
Resincrete, on the other hand, starts thickening fairly quickly.
I've found that simple trinket dishes, trays and similar shapes are generally more forgiving than designs featuring lots of tiny holes or fragile details.
That's why I always recommend considering the design itself, rather than simply whether the product is advertised as a resin mould.
Are Expensive Silicone Moulds Worth the Money?
I think it depends entirely on what you're making.
For smaller trinket dishes and simple decorative pieces, I've had excellent results with inexpensive moulds.
I certainly wouldn't suggest spending a fortune when you're just starting out.
However, for larger, more complicated shapes, I can see the benefits of paying more for a sturdier mould with better support.
A cheaper mould isn't much of a bargain if it produces misshapen pieces or becomes unusable after just a few attempts.
On the other hand, an expensive mould isn't automatically better simply because it costs more.
I'd always consider the design, construction and intended use before making a decision.
My Advice for Beginners
If you're buying your first silicone moulds for Resincrete, my advice would be to keep things simple.
Choose a couple of designs you genuinely like and take some time to experiment with them.
You don't need a cupboard full of moulds to start making lovely pieces.
In fact, using the same mould several times can be a great way to practise different colours, mixing techniques and decorative finishes without constantly learning how to work with a new shape.
And don't be put off by inexpensive moulds.
Some of my regularly used moulds have been budget-friendly purchases.
It's simply a case of learning which designs work well with Resincrete and which are better left for other casting materials.
Final Thoughts: Cheap or Expensive Silicone Moulds?
After buying moulds from different places and experimenting with a variety of designs, I've learned that you don't always get what you pay for.
I've had cheap moulds that work beautifully and others that have been disappointing.
I've also discovered that some of the most attractive designs aren't necessarily practical when working with Resincrete.
For me, it's less about the price and more about choosing a mould that suits the material and the type of piece I want to create.
If you're just starting out, my advice is simple:
Start with a few inexpensive, straightforward moulds, experiment with your Resincrete and discover what works for you before investing in more complicated designs.
Happy crafting!
Curious Cast Studio
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