Design & Toolmaking

From concept
to production.

Our team handles everything from initial sketches and 3D design through to precision tool manufacture — all under one roof.

Start a Project
Who We Are

One partner.
Start to finish.

Select Plastics partners with Prior Designs to offer end-to-end design and toolmaking services — from your first sketch through to a production-ready mould. You don't need to coordinate multiple suppliers or manage handoffs between design and manufacturing.

We accept projects at any stage. Whether you're starting from a napkin sketch or arriving with a finished CAD file, our team can assess what's needed and get your product moving toward manufacture.

$6K–$8K Small mould tooling
$200K Complex mould upper range
Prior Designs Our design partner

Tooling cost is driven by part complexity, number of cavities, and material requirements.

How It Works

The process, step by step.

1

Consultation

We review your brief, sketch, or existing CAD and scope the project.

2

Design & 3D Modelling

Prior Designs develops concepts into injection moulding-ready 3D models.

3

DFM Review

Our team checks wall thickness, draft angles, gate placement, and material suitability.

4

Tool Specification

We define cavity count, steel grade, surface finish, and write the tool spec.

5

Manufacture & Trials

The mould is built and trial shots are run to validate dimensions and surface quality.

6

Production

Approved tool moves into production — ongoing maintenance is managed by our team.

What We Offer

Full design-to-tool service

  • Product design & 3D modelling
  • Design for manufacture (DFM)
  • Tool specification & quoting
  • Precision mould manufacture
  • Tool trials & validation
  • Ongoing tool maintenance
Any Stage

We meet you where you are.

If you already have a design, we'll review it for injection moulding compatibility and advise on any changes needed. If you're starting from scratch, our design partner Prior Designs will work with you to develop a manufacturable concept.

Prior Designs are Melbourne-based industrial designers specialising in injection moulding-ready products. From there, Select Plastics manages the full toolmaking process — specification, quoting, manufacture, trials, and ongoing maintenance. One point of contact from idea to production.

Common Questions

Frequently asked

What if I have my design done already, is that too late?

No — it often helps us push the project further faster. Designs from non-specialists may need tweaks for injection moulding compatibility, and our team can assess and refine them quickly.

Does Select Plastics prefer new or existing products?

Both. New products involve more design consultation and iteration; existing products move through the moulding process more quickly. We're set up to handle either.

What about warranty on tooling projects?

Mould making via our partner toolmakers comes with a full workmanship warranty and limited time/parts coverage — a key advantage over sourcing tooling from overseas manufacturers.

How long does the toolmaking process take?

Typically 8–14 weeks from design sign-off to first trial shots, depending on tool complexity. Simple single-cavity tools are faster; multi-cavity or complex geometries take longer.

Who owns the tooling once it's made?

You do. The tool is your asset, held at our partner toolmaker's facility for ongoing production runs and maintenance.

Ready to bring your product to life?

Talk to our team about your design and toolmaking project.