Mother Molds

Latex molds are often thin and flimsy, so in order to make the mold usable for casting, a rigid support must be made. This rigid support is known as a mother mold. Mother molds are often made from plaster, but may also sometimes be made of fiberglass, resin, and other materials.

Before the mother mold can be made, many layers of latex (or Silicone in this example) must be brushed onto the object. This accumulation of brushed on layers is known as a glove mold.

The first layer being brushed on

The finished glove mold

The mother mold is coated over the glove mold

The mother mold is peeled off so the object on the inside may be removed

Once the mold is fully supported, material may cast into the mold cavity.

Images sourced from this tutorial by Smooth On: https://www.reynoldsam.com/how-to/how-to-make-a-glove-mold-with-dragon-skin-cast-a-faux-wood-repro/ Links to an external site.