Queen Penguin Productions now has casting and mold making equipment on site!
We offer mold making and casting services for white metal pieces at this time. There are plans to upgrade to other metals in the future.
The owner, Shannon Stiltz, was trained in the Casting, Moldmaking and Masters departments at Reaper Miniatures and has 6 years experience in manufacturing miniatures and jewelry. In addition, Shannon has provided contract casting services for several small businesses and a Dallas-based theatre group.
Small Run Contracts and Ongoing small batches are welcome! We also make custom keychains, pins, badges, etc. Prices vary based on the current cost of materials, and the size of the contract.
For a quote, please contact shannon@queenpenguin.com or use one of the contact forms on this site.
We offer mold making and casting services for white metal pieces at this time. There are plans to upgrade to other metals in the future.
The owner, Shannon Stiltz, was trained in the Casting, Moldmaking and Masters departments at Reaper Miniatures and has 6 years experience in manufacturing miniatures and jewelry. In addition, Shannon has provided contract casting services for several small businesses and a Dallas-based theatre group.
Small Run Contracts and Ongoing small batches are welcome! We also make custom keychains, pins, badges, etc. Prices vary based on the current cost of materials, and the size of the contract.
For a quote, please contact shannon@queenpenguin.com or use one of the contact forms on this site.
Contract Casting Information
How it works:
There are many steps involved in casting custom pieces.
1. Original piece(s): An original piece is usually sculpted in an epoxy or modeling material, or 3-d printed. The material used does matter. While a mold can be made of nearly any material, certain materials will cost substantially more, as a silicon cold will have to be made to convert the piece to a material that can be vulcanized.
2. Master or pattern mold: Once the original piece is finished, it will be put on a master, or pattern, mold. The pattern mold may contain multiple parts or original pieces. This mold requires a great deal of care, as the part to be molded is an original piece.
3. Casting Masters: When the pattern mold is completed, a best set of pieces will be cast to use for the production mold.
4. Cleaning Masters: After the master copies are cast, they must be cleaned to remove mold lines and imperfections.
5. Production Mold: The cleaned masters are pressed in a production mold. The number of pockets on the production mold depends on the size and complexity of the pieces. You can usually expect between 8 and 15 pockets.
6. Casting: Miniatures are cast in pewter.
7. QC: All pieces are inspected to eliminate miscasts.
8. packaging and shipping: pieces are packaged(where applicable) and shipped to the customer.
So how much does it cost?
The costs vary a great deal based on the material of the original piece, the size of the mold needed, number of molds needed, and the size and complexity of the piece.
Example costs (assumes original piece is provided by customer):
Master mold: $100
masters: $1.50 per piece cost plus $25 cleaning charge for full set
basic production mold: $50
casting price per ounce: $1.75 per ounce (usually between 60 cents to $1 per piece)
(varies with cost of pewter-updated weekly as needed)
FAQ
Q: What kind of materials should be used for the original piece?
A: The original needs to be able to withstand 350 degrees Fahrenheit and about 1200 pounds of pressure. Green Stuff, Pro-Create, Fimo, and a few other compounds work well. Most professional sculptors who have produced pieces for molding in the past have access to appropriate materials. If you have any doubts, contact us and we can test the material you intend to use.
Q: Does Queen Penguin Productions provide original sculpts?
A: Not usually. If you have a two dimensional design for keychains, pins, etc, QPP can provide the plate for those for a fee. If you need help finding a sculptor, assistance may be available.
Q: What is the minimum order quantity?
A: There is no minimum order size. If you wish to pay for a master mold for only one piece, that is fine.
Q: What is the maximum job size?
A: At this time, the maximum job size is 20,000 pieces. If you are interested in having more than 20,000 pieces made, we will be happy to put you in touch with a larger company who can fill a very large order.
Q: Why are the master mold and masters so expensive?
A: The master mold costs more because your original piece is a one-of-a-kind work of art. We take a great deal of care to prevent damage to the original. Some damage does happen from time to time when the piece is molded, but we are able to get good copies from the mold. In order to prevent damage, we take more time to make the master mold, and there is more effort and work involved. The masters are more expensive than standard copies because they are cast in a different metal mix, and at different temperature and pressure settings to insure they are as close to perfect pieces as possible.
Q: Do I have to pay the full $100 master mold cost?
A: Sometimes. If you have several pieces to mold, or wish to own the master mold, you must purchase a full master mold. If you have only one or two pieces to produce, and are ok with QPP retaining possession of the master mold, you can pay a portion of the master mold cost. The portion cost starts at $20 and increases based on the size, number, and complexity of the pieces you are having made. QPP wil NEVER use or distribute any of your pieces. We keep the pattern molds for emergency replacement purposes only. If at any time, you wish QPP to remove the pattern of your piece, we will be happy to destroy the pocket of the mold that holds your piece, and send you any remaining master copies.
Q: Who keeps the molds/masters?
A: The master mold stays with QPP unless it is a full pattern mold purchased by you. The production mold and masters go where you request. You pay shipping. Once the masters and molds leave the QPP premises, their care is up to you. QPP can not be held responsible for damage to molds and masters when they are no longer stored at our facility.
Q: Do I get the original back?
A: QPP will always return the original piece to you, if at all possible. Please be aware that damage to originals does happen sometimes in the moldmaking process. We do our absolute best to minimize any damage to the piece. If you need the original back with no damage or discoloration, it may be possible, depending on the piece to make a silicon mold first to reproduce the part before pressing it in rubber. This does involve an extra cost.
Q: How long does a production mold last?
A: It depends largely on the complexity of the piece. Very complicated pieces may only last a few hundred copies, while a particularly simple piece may last for 10,000 copies. The mold for an average piece will get several thousand good copies.
Q: How many molds do I need?
A: One per piece is usually sufficient for small run (1-300) parts. For more than 500, we will require multiple molds per piece.
Q: What is the quality of the finished pieces?
A: The quality is always as fine as we can make it and still keep the cost reasonable. You can expect small mold lines and vents, as well as the occasional mark on the underside of the base or tab from the gate. All pieces will go through QC, and any that are damaged, miscast, or have unsightly colors or shift will be recast.
Q: What if I get a bad piece?
A: No worries. We will replace it. Just let us know: shannon@queenpenguin.com
Q: What is a semi-production mold?
A: Semi-production molds are molds that contain several copies of multiple parts. For example, a miniature has two pieces, a body and an arm that needs to be cast separately. Instead of making a mold for the body, and a mold for the arm, a semi production mold can be made with 6 bodies and 6 arms. Semi-production molds are not recommended for large quantities of pieces, but for small quantities of similar size and weight items.
Q: How long does it take?
A: It really depends on the size of the order. The process takes a few weeks for a small order, and up to a few months for a very large order. When you contact us, we will give you an estimated completion date.
Q: What if I want to have part of the process done somewhere else?
A: OK. We are absolutely fine using someone else's molds, or sending you our molds and allowing someone else to cast your pieces. Be aware that someone else's molds may cast differently than ours as our moldmaking methods may differ from theirs. In addition, we make no guarantees that another company can or will use our molds. Please verify with them before sending them the mold.
Q: What shipping service do you use?
A: We prefer USPS flat rate where possible. If you need us to ship using another service, we will. Let us know and we are always happy to work with you.
Q: Can you make the cool design from Dr Who/Skyrim/Friendship is Magic/any other favorite cool media thing here?
A: No. Not unless you can show us paperwork granting you the rights to have it produced. When you have something made with QPP, we will have you sign a form that states that you have the legal right to produce or sell the piece you are having us cast. If you are not the owner of the copyright, do not ask us to make copies.
Q: Do you offer painting or finishing of any type?
A: We do offer various finishes. We offer an aged and polished finish, as well as a tumbled finish. For any painting or finishing, please let us know what you are looking for and we will work with you. Price varies by project.
Q: What about materials other than pewter?
A: At this time, we are only working in pewter. In the spring of next year, we have plans to work in Silver as well for a few select projects. We have plans to begin working in resin as well, though we have no date planned at the moment. There are no plans to produce pieces in plastic.
Q: What is in pewter?
A: Mostly tin. Some mixes contain small amounts of bismuth, antimony, silver, copper, or lead. If you have a specific pewter alloy in mind, we will be happy to cast your pieces in that mix, but prices and appearance of the metal do change quite a bit over the spectrum of alloys. Contact us for a quote.
Q: What if I change my mind?
A: Before the project begins, you walk away, no fees, no trouble. After we have started, there will be a fee for cancellation. The fee depends on the amount of the project completed.
Q: I want to do this, but I don't have that kind of money up front. Is there a cheaper way?
A: Go ahead and send us an email. We normally require a portion up front and the rest on completion, and we do have other programs available to assist you in completing your project.
Q: I want to make a toy for a child, can you do it?
A: No, not at this time. Because we cannot guarantee 100% that there are absolutely no heavy metals in our mix, we cannot produce toys. We recommend that products not be given to children under 13 years of age. For this reason, we cannot manufacture pieces for children's games, either.
Q: I have more questions! Who do I ask?
A: All question can be sent to shannon@queenpenguin.com or through the contact page of this website.
There are many steps involved in casting custom pieces.
1. Original piece(s): An original piece is usually sculpted in an epoxy or modeling material, or 3-d printed. The material used does matter. While a mold can be made of nearly any material, certain materials will cost substantially more, as a silicon cold will have to be made to convert the piece to a material that can be vulcanized.
2. Master or pattern mold: Once the original piece is finished, it will be put on a master, or pattern, mold. The pattern mold may contain multiple parts or original pieces. This mold requires a great deal of care, as the part to be molded is an original piece.
3. Casting Masters: When the pattern mold is completed, a best set of pieces will be cast to use for the production mold.
4. Cleaning Masters: After the master copies are cast, they must be cleaned to remove mold lines and imperfections.
5. Production Mold: The cleaned masters are pressed in a production mold. The number of pockets on the production mold depends on the size and complexity of the pieces. You can usually expect between 8 and 15 pockets.
6. Casting: Miniatures are cast in pewter.
7. QC: All pieces are inspected to eliminate miscasts.
8. packaging and shipping: pieces are packaged(where applicable) and shipped to the customer.
So how much does it cost?
The costs vary a great deal based on the material of the original piece, the size of the mold needed, number of molds needed, and the size and complexity of the piece.
Example costs (assumes original piece is provided by customer):
Master mold: $100
masters: $1.50 per piece cost plus $25 cleaning charge for full set
basic production mold: $50
casting price per ounce: $1.75 per ounce (usually between 60 cents to $1 per piece)
(varies with cost of pewter-updated weekly as needed)
FAQ
Q: What kind of materials should be used for the original piece?
A: The original needs to be able to withstand 350 degrees Fahrenheit and about 1200 pounds of pressure. Green Stuff, Pro-Create, Fimo, and a few other compounds work well. Most professional sculptors who have produced pieces for molding in the past have access to appropriate materials. If you have any doubts, contact us and we can test the material you intend to use.
Q: Does Queen Penguin Productions provide original sculpts?
A: Not usually. If you have a two dimensional design for keychains, pins, etc, QPP can provide the plate for those for a fee. If you need help finding a sculptor, assistance may be available.
Q: What is the minimum order quantity?
A: There is no minimum order size. If you wish to pay for a master mold for only one piece, that is fine.
Q: What is the maximum job size?
A: At this time, the maximum job size is 20,000 pieces. If you are interested in having more than 20,000 pieces made, we will be happy to put you in touch with a larger company who can fill a very large order.
Q: Why are the master mold and masters so expensive?
A: The master mold costs more because your original piece is a one-of-a-kind work of art. We take a great deal of care to prevent damage to the original. Some damage does happen from time to time when the piece is molded, but we are able to get good copies from the mold. In order to prevent damage, we take more time to make the master mold, and there is more effort and work involved. The masters are more expensive than standard copies because they are cast in a different metal mix, and at different temperature and pressure settings to insure they are as close to perfect pieces as possible.
Q: Do I have to pay the full $100 master mold cost?
A: Sometimes. If you have several pieces to mold, or wish to own the master mold, you must purchase a full master mold. If you have only one or two pieces to produce, and are ok with QPP retaining possession of the master mold, you can pay a portion of the master mold cost. The portion cost starts at $20 and increases based on the size, number, and complexity of the pieces you are having made. QPP wil NEVER use or distribute any of your pieces. We keep the pattern molds for emergency replacement purposes only. If at any time, you wish QPP to remove the pattern of your piece, we will be happy to destroy the pocket of the mold that holds your piece, and send you any remaining master copies.
Q: Who keeps the molds/masters?
A: The master mold stays with QPP unless it is a full pattern mold purchased by you. The production mold and masters go where you request. You pay shipping. Once the masters and molds leave the QPP premises, their care is up to you. QPP can not be held responsible for damage to molds and masters when they are no longer stored at our facility.
Q: Do I get the original back?
A: QPP will always return the original piece to you, if at all possible. Please be aware that damage to originals does happen sometimes in the moldmaking process. We do our absolute best to minimize any damage to the piece. If you need the original back with no damage or discoloration, it may be possible, depending on the piece to make a silicon mold first to reproduce the part before pressing it in rubber. This does involve an extra cost.
Q: How long does a production mold last?
A: It depends largely on the complexity of the piece. Very complicated pieces may only last a few hundred copies, while a particularly simple piece may last for 10,000 copies. The mold for an average piece will get several thousand good copies.
Q: How many molds do I need?
A: One per piece is usually sufficient for small run (1-300) parts. For more than 500, we will require multiple molds per piece.
Q: What is the quality of the finished pieces?
A: The quality is always as fine as we can make it and still keep the cost reasonable. You can expect small mold lines and vents, as well as the occasional mark on the underside of the base or tab from the gate. All pieces will go through QC, and any that are damaged, miscast, or have unsightly colors or shift will be recast.
Q: What if I get a bad piece?
A: No worries. We will replace it. Just let us know: shannon@queenpenguin.com
Q: What is a semi-production mold?
A: Semi-production molds are molds that contain several copies of multiple parts. For example, a miniature has two pieces, a body and an arm that needs to be cast separately. Instead of making a mold for the body, and a mold for the arm, a semi production mold can be made with 6 bodies and 6 arms. Semi-production molds are not recommended for large quantities of pieces, but for small quantities of similar size and weight items.
Q: How long does it take?
A: It really depends on the size of the order. The process takes a few weeks for a small order, and up to a few months for a very large order. When you contact us, we will give you an estimated completion date.
Q: What if I want to have part of the process done somewhere else?
A: OK. We are absolutely fine using someone else's molds, or sending you our molds and allowing someone else to cast your pieces. Be aware that someone else's molds may cast differently than ours as our moldmaking methods may differ from theirs. In addition, we make no guarantees that another company can or will use our molds. Please verify with them before sending them the mold.
Q: What shipping service do you use?
A: We prefer USPS flat rate where possible. If you need us to ship using another service, we will. Let us know and we are always happy to work with you.
Q: Can you make the cool design from Dr Who/Skyrim/Friendship is Magic/any other favorite cool media thing here?
A: No. Not unless you can show us paperwork granting you the rights to have it produced. When you have something made with QPP, we will have you sign a form that states that you have the legal right to produce or sell the piece you are having us cast. If you are not the owner of the copyright, do not ask us to make copies.
Q: Do you offer painting or finishing of any type?
A: We do offer various finishes. We offer an aged and polished finish, as well as a tumbled finish. For any painting or finishing, please let us know what you are looking for and we will work with you. Price varies by project.
Q: What about materials other than pewter?
A: At this time, we are only working in pewter. In the spring of next year, we have plans to work in Silver as well for a few select projects. We have plans to begin working in resin as well, though we have no date planned at the moment. There are no plans to produce pieces in plastic.
Q: What is in pewter?
A: Mostly tin. Some mixes contain small amounts of bismuth, antimony, silver, copper, or lead. If you have a specific pewter alloy in mind, we will be happy to cast your pieces in that mix, but prices and appearance of the metal do change quite a bit over the spectrum of alloys. Contact us for a quote.
Q: What if I change my mind?
A: Before the project begins, you walk away, no fees, no trouble. After we have started, there will be a fee for cancellation. The fee depends on the amount of the project completed.
Q: I want to do this, but I don't have that kind of money up front. Is there a cheaper way?
A: Go ahead and send us an email. We normally require a portion up front and the rest on completion, and we do have other programs available to assist you in completing your project.
Q: I want to make a toy for a child, can you do it?
A: No, not at this time. Because we cannot guarantee 100% that there are absolutely no heavy metals in our mix, we cannot produce toys. We recommend that products not be given to children under 13 years of age. For this reason, we cannot manufacture pieces for children's games, either.
Q: I have more questions! Who do I ask?
A: All question can be sent to shannon@queenpenguin.com or through the contact page of this website.
