Over Molding

Over molding TPE/TPU onto metal or plastic inserts. Get a factory-direct quote within 24 hours.

15+ Years

Over molding experience

200+

Material pairings tested

±0.05 mm

Molded part tolerance

24 Hours

Quote turnaround on weekdays

The problem

Why over molded parts fail - and how we fix it

Soft layers that peel, seals that leak, and surprise assembly costs. As a China over molding manufacturer, we solve all of them.

Soft layer peels off

The grip or seal lifts away from the base. A weak bond is the number one reason over molded parts get returned.

Water and dust leak in

A seal that does not close fully lets moisture reach the electronics and shortens product life.

Hand assembly costs money

Gluing or snapping parts together by hand adds labor, slows the line, and creates weak points.

Wrong material pairing

Some plastics simply will not bond. A bad match means the layer falls off or melts the base part.

Sink marks and flash

Uneven walls and poor process control leave visible defects right on the part your customer touches.

No supplier for two materials

You get sent between vendors. One cannot mold the soft layer, the other cannot make the base.

Step 1: Base Part Rigid substrate (ABS / PC / PA / metal) molded first mold again Step 2: Over Molded substrate Soft TPE / TPU Soft TPE / TPU bond line one part, no glue, no assembly

Over molding is a two-step process: mold the rigid base first, then mold a soft layer directly over it. The two materials bond by heat, chemistry, or a mechanical lock.

What is over molding

Two materials, one finished part

Over molding joins a soft material to a hard one in the mold. First we mold the rigid base part, called the substrate. Then we mold a soft material such as TPE, TPU or silicone right over it. Heat, chemistry, or a mechanical lock holds the two together - so you skip glue and assembly.

  • No glue, no assembly - the bond forms inside the mold, so parts come out ready to use.
  • Soft where you need it - add a grip, a seal, or a shock-absorbing layer exactly where it helps.
  • Fewer parts, lower cost - one over molded part replaces two parts plus a joining step.
  • Proven material pairs - we test over 200 substrate and overmold combinations before we quote.

Capabilities

Over Molding Capabilities at a Glance

From the base part to the soft layer, every step runs in-house at our China factory, so quality and lead time stay under our control.

Two-Shot / 2K Molding

Two materials or colors molded in one cycle on a dual-injection machine.

Insert Over Molding

Metal inserts, threads and bushings encased in plastic in a single tool.

Multi-Shot Molding

Three or more materials or colors layered into one seamless part.

Soft-Touch Grips

Rubber-like TPE and TPU grips that feel good and stop slipping.

Watertight Seals

Molded-in gaskets and seals that keep water and dust out for good.

Bonding & Testing

We test material pairs for adhesion before the mold is even cut.

Mold Design & DFM

Gating, bonding features and a free DFM report before cutting starts.

Prototype to Production

Low-volume bridge tools and hardened multi-cavity production molds.

Materials

Proven Substrate and Overmold Pairings

The soft layer only sticks when the two materials match. These are the pairings we mold most, and we test new ones on request.

ABS+TPE

The classic soft-grip combo. Tool handles, appliance grips and consumer products.

ABS+TPU

Tougher and more abrasion resistant. Good for protective cases and buttons.

PC/ABS+TPE

Strong base with a soft feel. Electronics housings and wearable devices.

PC/ABS+TPU

Impact resistant and grippy. Power tool housings and phone cases.

PP+TPE

Chemical resistant. Toothbrush grips, personal care and seals.

PA (Nylon)+TPU

Oil and acid resistant. Automotive parts and cable connectors.

PBT+TPU

Dimensionally stable. Electrical connectors, sensors and clips.

Metal+TPE / Silicone

Metal inserts with a soft skin. Smartwatch bands, surgical tools, hybrid parts.

Design guide

Design Rules for a Strong Bond

A good over molded part is designed for bonding, not glued after the fact. These simple rules keep your soft layer locked on for good.

Use a textured surface

Rough beats glossy. A textured bonding area gives more surface for the soft layer to grip.

Add a draft angle

Leave at least 0.5 degrees of draft on the bonding wall so the part releases cleanly.

Increase contact area

Small ribs or grooves give the two materials more area to bond and hold each other.

Avoid sharp corners

Sharp corners concentrate stress and split apart. Use a radius of 0.5 mm or more.

Add an undercut

A mechanical undercut locks the soft layer in place and takes load off the bond.

Keep walls even

Aim for 1.5 to 2.5 mm walls. Too thin short shots; too thick sinks and warps.

Mind overmold thickness

Stay between 0.6 mm and 8 mm. Thin layers bond well; thick layers cure unevenly.

Check compatibility early

Confirm the two materials bond before tooling. We test pairs for free during DFM.

Solutions

Over Molding Solutions We Deliver

Whatever the job - a softer grip, a tighter seal, or a tougher skin - we have an over molding solution that fits.

Soft Grips & Handles

Comfortable, non-slip grips molded straight onto tools and handles.

Waterproof Seals

Molded-in gaskets and seals that keep water, dust and air out.

Anti-Slip Surfaces

Textured soft areas exactly where hands and feet need traction.

Protective Covers

A tough outer layer that shields parts from impact, heat and wear.

Cable Strain Relief

Flexible over molded ends that stop cables from breaking at the joint.

Multi-Color Parts

Two colors in one part for a clean look with no painting or printing.

Metal-Plastic Hybrids

Metal inserts wrapped in plastic for strong, light, functional parts.

Medical Soft Touch

Soft, skin-safe layers for surgical tools and wearable devices.

Industries

Industries We Serve

As a China over molding supplier and manufacturer, our company delivers soft-touch and sealed parts to customers in many demanding sectors worldwide.

Power Tools

Ergonomic grips, anti-vibration handles and durable trigger switches.

Medical

Surgical tool grips, device housings and comfortable wearables.

Automotive

Shift knobs, weather-resistant switches and interior soft-touch trim.

Consumer Electronics

Waterproof casings, soft buttons and ergonomic device handles.

E-Mobility

Battery seals, charging handle grips and protective connectors.

Industrial Equipment

Machine grips, insulated handles and vibration-damping mounts.

Energy

Insulated cable glands, protective covers and handle grips.

Telecom

Cable strain relief, weatherproof seals and soft-touch keypads.

Why choose us

Why Buyers Choose Our China Over Molding Factory

We are a one-stop over molding supplier: base part, soft layer, tooling and support all in one accountable partner.

Factory-Direct Pricing

Buy straight from the manufacturer. No middleman, no markup, no surprise fees.

200+ Pairs Tested

We prove the bond between your two materials before the mold is cut.

In-House Mold Making

Design, machining, EDM and polishing under one roof for full control.

Tight Alignment

Under 0.02 mm alignment between base and overmold for a clean seam.

Strict Quality Control

In-process checks plus CMM reports and first-article inspection on every part.

ISO-Certified System

ISO 9001 quality system with IATF 16949 and ISO 13485 experience.

One Project Manager

A single contact owns your order from quote to delivery, so nothing gets lost.

NDA & IP Protection

Your designs stay yours. We sign NDAs and keep files fully confidential.

How it works

From CAD File to Finished Part in 4 Steps

A simple, transparent process designed to remove the guesswork from over molding.

1

Upload Your Design

Send STEP, STP, IGES or PDF drawings. Tell us both materials you have in mind.

2

Get a Quote in 24h

Free DFM feedback, a material pairing check and a clear factory-direct price.

3

We Mold & Sample

We cut the tool, mold the base and the soft layer, and send samples with a report.

4

Ship & Support

Global shipping with tracking, mold data pack and ongoing production support.

Which process fits you?

Over Molding vs Insert, 2K and Silicone Molding

These four multi-material processes look similar but solve different problems. As your over molding supplier, we help you pick the right one.

Most common

Over Molding

  • Soft layer molded over a rigid base
  • Two steps, two molds or one staged mold
  • TPE / TPU over ABS, PC, PA, metal
  • Best for grips, seals, soft touch
  • No glue or assembly needed
Metal + plastic

Insert Molding

  • Pre-made insert placed in the mold
  • One step, plastic molded around it
  • Metal threads, bushings, connectors
  • Strong mechanical lock
  • Lower tooling cost
Fastest cycle

Two-Shot (2K)

  • Two materials in one cycle
  • Dual-injection machine, rotary tool
  • Two colors or two plastics
  • Very strong fusion bond
  • Higher tooling cost, lower unit cost
High heat

Silicone Over Molding

  • Liquid silicone rubber over substrate
  • Withstands high and low temperatures
  • Skin-safe and biocompatible
  • Best for medical and food contact
  • Premium surface feel

FAQ

Over Molding - Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions buyers ask us most about over molding in China.

Over molding is a two-step molding process. First we mold a rigid base part called the substrate. Then we mold a soft material such as TPE, TPU or silicone directly over it. The two materials bond by heat, chemistry, or a mechanical lock, so no glue or assembly is needed.
The base part is molded first. It is then placed back into a mold and the soft material is injected over it. Heat and pressure fuse the two materials together, or a designed undercut locks them in place. The finished part comes out ready to use.
Insert molding places a pre-made part, usually metal, into the mold and molds plastic around it. Over molding molds one plastic over another plastic or a substrate. Both join two materials, but insert molding starts with a solid insert while over molding starts with a molded base part.
Common substrates are ABS, PC, PC/ABS, PP, PA (nylon), PBT and metal. Common overmold materials are TPE, TPU, SEBS, TPV and silicone. The two materials must be compatible for a strong bond, so we check the pairing during DFM.
Yes. We over mold TPE, TPU and silicone onto metal inserts and components. This is common for smartwatch bands, surgical instruments and hybrid assemblies that need a soft skin over a strong metal core.
We recommend a minimum base wall of about 0.8 mm, and an overmold layer between 0.6 mm and 8 mm. For the best result, keep the soft layer wall even at 1.5 to 2.5 mm. Too thin causes short shots; too thick causes sinking and warping.
With the right material pairing and good design, the bond is very strong and resists peeling, moisture and mechanical stress. We add mechanical features like undercuts and textured surfaces to make it even more reliable.
Typical molded part tolerance is about plus or minus 0.05 mm on critical features, and we hold under 0.02 mm alignment between the base and the overmold. Because two materials are involved, we confirm achievable tolerance during DFM.
Cost depends on part size, the two materials, mold complexity and volume. Over molding usually costs less than making two parts and assembling them, because it removes the joining step. Send your 3D file and we will return a clear, itemized quote within 24 hours.
Injection molding can start within about 3 days on simple parts. T1 samples are often ready in as little as 2 weeks, and finished over molded parts usually ship in 1 to 3 weeks depending on complexity and volume.
Yes. Our engineers review wall thickness, draft, bonding features, gate position and material compatibility before cutting starts, then suggest changes that cut cost, improve bonding or speed up delivery. This review is free with every quote.
There is no strict MOQ. We support one-off prototypes, bridge runs and full production from the same factory. All customer files and ideas are treated as confidential, and we sign NDAs when needed.

Need over molding from a trusted China manufacturer?

Send your files and get a factory-direct quote, a free material pairing check and a clear lead time within 24 hours.