Relief master-pattern printing
Printed master patterns for relief and mould-making.
- Shanghai Xionglan Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (brand: Xionglan Art)
- Shanghai-based workshop · delivery in 67 Chinese cities
- 10 capability groups / 102 individual techniques · design, fabrication and installation in-house
- Phone +86 156 0163 6249 · Mon–Sun 09:00–18:00 (CST)
A printed master gives a mould-maker a perfect positive to work from, which removes the hand-carving step from the critical path. It is how a repeating relief gets both precision and speed.
Commissioned work in relief master-pattern printing normally runs from 6 to 30 m², with 3–8 working days in production from approved drawings. The reference range for this technique is CNY 80+ per m², quoted itemised. It sits within our 3D Printing & Digital Fabrication capability, alongside 9 related techniques, and the 4-point deliverable below is what a commission includes as standard.
When relief master-pattern printing is the right answer - and when it is not
Printed masters and moulds are chosen where a design must be reproduced, and where making the master by hand would be slower or less accurate. It suits small-batch production of reliefs, panels, ornaments and components. The economics are simple: printing pays when several copies are needed from one master, and stops paying when only one is required. The deciding factor is usually repeatability rather than cost - if every copy has to match the first one closely, a printed master removes the variation that hand-sculpting introduces between pieces, and that consistency is often worth more than the price difference.
How the work is actually carried out
The master is printed at the accuracy the mould and the final cast require, then finished because every flaw in the master is reproduced faithfully in every copy. Moulds are produced in a material chosen for the number of pulls expected and the depth of the undercuts, with split lines designed so the casting releases cleanly. The first pull is inspected before the run continues, and each cast is checked against it. Mould life is tracked so the client knows when a replacement master will be needed. Release angles and draft are designed into the master rather than corrected in the mould, since undercuts that are hard to cast become the place every copy tears, and shrinkage is allowed for in the master so that finished pieces arrive at the drawn dimensions.
Typical applications
Typical specifications
| Materials | Resin and composite for fine relief; FDM for large patterns |
|---|---|
| Surface | Sanded and sealed to a mould-ready finish |
| Repeatability | One master, unlimited moulds, identical units |
| Lead time | 1-3 weeks |
| Capability | 3D Printing & Digital Fabrication |
| Reference range | CNY 80+ per m² |
| Techniques in this capability | 10 |
| Coverage | Shanghai base, nationwide delivery, overseas projects on request |
Reference price bands for Relief master-pattern printing
Indicative only, based on the scope normally quoted for relief master-pattern printing. A firm price follows a site survey and an itemised quotation split into material, labour, finishing, packing and freight.
| Pricing basis | Priced per piece or per project rather than per square metre |
|---|---|
| Reference range | CNY 80+ per m² |
| How we quote | Itemised: material, labour, finishing, packing and freight shown as separate lines |
Build tiers for relief master-pattern printing
Relief master-pattern printing is not one product at one size: the table below is the same scope ladder we quote on, so you can see where your project sits before asking for a price.
| Build tier | Typical area | Production days | What changes at this tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | Up to 30 m², one substrate and one access setup, 3–8 days in the workshop. |
| Tier 2 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 3 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 4 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 5 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 6 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 7 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6 m² and above, multiple substrate types and phased access, 3–8 days with a join and numbering plan. |
What we deliver
- Digital modelling from sketches, scans or reference images
- Large-format printing, section splitting and structural joining
- Sanding, priming, painting and surface texturing
- Master-pattern printing for subsequent casting
Faults we see most often in relief master-pattern printing
Each of these is a field failure rather than a workshop one, and each is cheaper to prevent at enquiry stage than to correct after installation.
- Moulding from an unfinished print, so every copy inherits the layer lines and the flaws.
- Designing undercuts that the mould cannot release, which forces either a complex split or a damaged casting.
- Running a mould past its working life, producing casts that lose detail gradually before anyone notices the trend.
What to settle before an overseas project starts
| Quantity required | Tell us how many copies. Mould cost is amortised across the run, and below a certain number hand-making may be cheaper. |
|---|---|
| Detail and size | Send the design and the finished dimensions. Both determine the printing resolution and the mould construction. |
| Casting material | Resin, plaster, concrete and metal each need different moulds and release angles. Tell us the final material. |
Working with us from overseas
Enquiry to installation, one point of contact. Export packing, shipping, commercial terms and quality control →
Design intent and what drives the cost
| Technique | Relief master-pattern printing |
|---|---|
| Positioning | Printed master patterns for relief and mould-making. |
| Floor area normally quoted | 6–30 m² per commission |
| Typical production window | 3–8 working days from approved drawings |
| Main cost drivers | Area and repetition; substrate preparation; detail and modelling time; surface finish; access and working hours |
| What we quote separately | Material, labour, finishing, packing, freight and site measures - each as its own line |
Representative work
3D Printing & Digital Fabrication projects photographed on completion.
3D Printing & Digital Fabrication — Art derivatives & designer toys
3D Printing & Digital Fabrication — Digital sculpture modelling
3D Printing & Digital Fabrication — Large-scale 3D-printed sculpture
3D Printing & Digital Fabrication — 3D printing material selectionCommon questions
Does the printed master need finishing before moulding?
How many casts can one mould produce?
What is the maximum size of a single printed part?
Discuss relief master-pattern printing
Send photographs, drawings or a 3D file with approximate dimensions. You will get a technique recommendation, a reference price band and a production schedule.