Custom Mold Development Process
Developing a custom packaging mold is a multi-stage process that connects package concept, engineering, drawings, tooling, sampling, production approval and commercialization.
Empire EMCO's custom mold development workflow is organized into three connected phases designed to move a packaging concept from initial review through mold manufacturing and ultimately into commercial production.
Understanding the complete process helps manufacturers plan more effectively for design decisions, approvals, tooling development, sampling and launch.
Three Phases of Custom Mold Development
A successful custom mold program involves more than mold fabrication. The process begins with concept development and continues through engineering, approvals, tooling, sampling, production and commercial release.
Concept to Approval
Establish the package concept, complete the initial engineering review and obtain approval to move forward.
- Concept
- Engineering Review
- Drawings
- Initial Pricing
- Customer Approval
Mold Approval Through Production
Move the approved package into detailed drawings, mold manufacturing, sample review and production approval.
- Final R Drawings
- Internal Approval
- Purchase Orders
- Mold Manufacturing
- Engineering Sample Review
- Production Approval
- Warehouse Sample Inventory
Commercialization & Sales Launch
Transition the approved package from development into a commercially available packaging program.
- Commercial Launch
- Sales Sheets
- Marketing
- Internal Release
- Customer Release
Concept to Approval
Phase 1 establishes the foundation for the custom package. The concept progresses through engineering review, drawings, initial pricing and customer approval before moving into the mold-development stage.
Concept
The process begins with the proposed packaging concept. This establishes the direction for the package before detailed engineering and tooling work begins.
Engineering Review
The proposed concept moves through engineering review so the design can be evaluated before drawings and tooling development proceed.
Drawings
Package drawings document the proposed design and provide the technical reference needed for review and approval.
Initial Pricing
Initial pricing is developed so the project can be evaluated commercially before proceeding into mold manufacturing.
Customer Approval
Customer approval establishes the decision to advance the project from concept development into the detailed mold and production-development phase.
Customer Approval Moves the Project Into Tooling
Once the concept and initial project direction are approved, development can move into detailed drawings, internal approval, purchasing and mold manufacturing.
Mold Approval Through Production
Phase 2 moves the approved package into detailed documentation, mold manufacturing, sample review and production approval.
Final Revision Drawings
The project moves into the drawing stage identified in Empire EMCO's mold-development workflow as Final Revision Drawings.
Internal Approval
The project proceeds through the required internal approval stage before purchasing and mold manufacturing move forward.
Purchase Orders
Purchase orders are issued as the approved project transitions from planning into mold manufacturing.
Mold Manufacturing
The approved mold is manufactured according to the project documentation and tooling requirements.
Engineering Sample Review
Engineering samples are reviewed before the package advances into production approval.
Production Approval
Production approval establishes that the project is ready to advance beyond the development and sample-review stage.
Warehouse Sample Inventory
Sample inventory is incorporated into the workflow following production approval as the package prepares for commercial introduction.
Production Approval Opens the Path to Commercialization
After mold manufacturing, engineering sample review and production approval, the project can move into the commercialization and release phase.
Commercialization & Sales Launch
The final phase transitions the approved package from the mold-development process into commercial availability and customer release.
Commercializing the Finished Package
Completing the tooling is not the end of the process. The approved package must also be prepared for commercial release and customer use.
Commercial Launch
The approved package enters the commercial-launch stage.
Sales Sheets
Sales materials support internal and customer understanding of the newly available package.
Marketing
Marketing activities support awareness and introduction of the completed packaging solution.
Internal Release
The package is released internally as part of the commercial introduction process.
Customer Release
The completed package reaches the customer-release stage of the development workflow.
Why the Full Custom Mold Process Matters
Custom packaging development connects technical decisions, commercial approvals and production milestones. Looking at the complete workflow helps prevent mold manufacturing from being treated as an isolated step.
Engineering Before Tooling
The process places concept review and drawings ahead of mold manufacturing so the project direction is established before tooling begins.
Samples Before Production Release
Engineering sample review occurs before production approval, providing a defined review point within the development process.
Development Through Commercialization
The workflow continues beyond tooling and production approval to include sales, marketing, internal release and customer release.
Continue Your Custom Mold Research
Custom Mold Development
Start with the complete overview of custom mold development, engineering, tooling, sampling and commercialization.
Explore Custom Mold Development →Packaging Engineering
Explore Empire EMCO's packaging engineering, design, prototyping and tooling capabilities.
Explore Engineering Services →Custom Mold Library
Explore Empire EMCO's existing mold resources and available packaging tooling.
Browse the Mold Library →Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about how a custom packaging mold moves from initial concept through production and commercialization.
What are the main phases of custom mold development?
Empire EMCO's custom mold development workflow is organized into three primary phases: concept to approval, mold approval through production, and commercialization and sales launch.
What happens before a custom mold is manufactured?
The workflow begins with the concept, engineering review, drawings, initial pricing and customer approval. The project then advances into the detailed approval and purchasing stages before mold manufacturing.
When are engineering samples reviewed?
Engineering sample review occurs after mold manufacturing and before production approval in the second phase of the custom mold development process.
Does the custom mold process end when the mold is built?
No. Empire EMCO's workflow continues through engineering sample review, production approval, warehouse sample inventory and commercialization activities.
What happens after production approval?
Following production approval, the workflow includes warehouse sample inventory and then moves into commercialization and sales launch activities.
Is commercialization part of custom mold development?
Yes. Empire EMCO's workflow includes commercialization and sales launch as the third phase, including commercial launch, sales sheets, marketing, internal release and customer release.
Ready to Start a Custom Mold Project?
Begin with your packaging concept and project requirements. Empire EMCO can help evaluate the development path from initial concept and engineering through tooling, production approval and commercialization.