Inside Our factory: Grafting Premium Silicone Sex Toys at NEWTOP SILICONE

The adult toy market is booming, especially in Europe and North America. In 2023 the global sex-toy market was about $35.2 billion, growing at roughly 8.7% annually. North America alone accounts for about one-third of that sales volume, thanks to widespread social acceptance and even mainstream retailers carrying vibrators and other products. Europe is the second-largest market, led by countries like Germany, the UK, France, Italy and the Nordics. In Germany, for example, over half of adults report using sex toys as part of their intimate lives. We see this growth firsthand at Newtop Silicone: more brands and retailers across Europe and America are coming to us for custom sex-toy manufacturing, driven by rising consumer demand and destigmatization of sexual wellness.

Why Silicone is Ideal for Sex Toys

Silicone is the material of choice for high-quality sex toys because of its outstanding safety and performance. It is non-toxic and hypoallergenic – that is, body-safe – so it won’t cause irritation. It’s also non-porous, which means fluids and bacteria cannot absorb into it, and it can be thoroughly sanitized. These properties far exceed cheaper materials like jelly rubber or porous plastics. Silicone toys are durable and retain their original shape, even with frequent use – many of our customers report that a well-made silicone toy lasts for years without tearing or deforming. (The trade-off is that medical-grade platinum silicone costs more than economy plastics, but our clients find the investment worthwhile for the product’s longevity and consumer safety.) In practice, we use medical-grade, platinum-cured silicone formulations that meet FDA and EU standards. In fact, our products carry FDA food-contact and CE certifications, assuring clients in North America and Europe that the materials are fully compliant with health regulations.

• Body-safe: Platinum-cured silicone contains no harmful phthalates or plasticizers, making it non-toxic and hypoallergenic.

• Easy to clean: As a non-porous elastomer, silicone resists bacteria and is simple to wash or sterilize.

• Highly durable: It withstands many compression cycles, wide temperature swings, and normal wear without degrading.

We also note that silicone toys require only water-based lubricants (oil- or silicone-based lube can damage the surface) and are priced higher than cheap alternatives. Customers in North America and Europe understand this and appreciate the premium feel and safety of a silicone toy.

Our Manufacturing Process

1. Raw Material Preparation

The journey of each toy begins with carefully selected silicone compounds. We typically use two-part liquid silicone rubber (LSR) – a base polymer and a catalyst – supplied in drums. These are medical-grade, FDA-compliant LSR compounds that come in various hardnesses (often 10–80 Shore A) and can be tinted or clear. In our mixing room, skilled technicians measure and combine the silicone components with any additives like pigments or reinforcing fillers. As Simtec explains, the ingredients are homogenized under precise conditions. We mix the parts thoroughly at controlled temperature to ensure the color and additives are evenly distributed. Often we feed the mixed silicone through a vacuum deaeration chamber, which sucks out trapped air bubbles. This degassing step prevents voids or blemishes in the final product. At this point, the silicone compound is ready for molding.

2. Mold Design and Tooling

Custom mold design is crucial to achieving the desired toy shape and features. We work closely with brand clients to turn their concept into CAD models. Once a design is finalized, we create a prototype (often 3D-printed) to verify ergonomics. Then we machine tooling blocks on CNC mills, typically from hardened mold steel (such as H13). We pay special attention to parting lines, gating and venting. With LSR molding, we can often incorporate undercuts (e.g. grooves or flanges that wouldn’t be possible in rigid plastics) because liquid silicone is very flexible. In fact, as one industry guide notes, LSR parts usually stay stuck to one half of the mold on opening, eliminating the need for ejector pins. Our engineers polish the mold cavities to the required finish – matte or glossy – so the toy surface comes out smooth and blister-free. We can also engrave fine textures or patterns, and add custom logos or text right into the mold so that each part is branded during molding. For production, we use single-cavity molds for highly detailed toys and multi-cavity tooling for large volumes. (Minimizing unnecessary parting lines gives a cleaner aesthetic and reduces finishing work.)

3. Injection and Compression Molding

With tooling ready, we move to molding. Injection molding is our primary process for silicone toys because it delivers high precision and consistency. On injection presses, the machine clamps the heated mold shut, then injects the liquid silicone under controlled pressure. (Some LSR lines even allow vacuum injection to eliminate air during fill.) SIMTEC’s guide notes that once clamped, the silicone flows through runners and gates into the cavity, and cure begins under heat. We typically heat the mold to 150–180 °C, where the platinum-catalyzed silicone vulcanizes in seconds to a few minutes. The injection speed, pressure and temperature are tuned to the part’s geometry and the silicone viscosity.

For lower volume or very simple shapes, we also use compression molding: we place measured silicone blanks into an open mold half and close the two halves under pressure. Compression molds are less expensive, but they usually leave a visible seam. Injection molding (as we do) avoids such cold lines and is generally faster in high-volume runs. Either way, once the silicone has cured in the mold, the machine opens up.

4. Curing, Demolding, and Trimming

After the cure cycle, the molds are opened and the parts are ejected. (Thanks to the elasticity of silicone, most parts pop out or are gently pushed out with air jets.) Because LSR cures almost completely in-mold, post-curing is minimal – occasionally we bake parts in an oven to drive off any residual volatiles and to stabilize dimensions, but often the injection step suffices.

Next comes trimming and finishing. Even high-quality molds produce small fins or sprues at the gate points. We trim off this flash and cut the feed channels, either manually or with programmed machines. Light sanding or tumbling ensures the edges are smooth. Then we wash and disinfect the parts to remove any mold release agents, leaving them ready for inspection.

5. Quality Control and Packaging

Quality is paramount in intimate products. In our QA department each toy undergoes rigorous checks. Inspectors measure critical dimensions with calipers to ensure they meet the 3D design specifications. We test hardness (Shore A) and elasticity against standards. Every surface is visually inspected under bright lamps for bubbles, scratches or inclusions. If the toy is hollow or contains electrical components (for example, if it has vibration motors), we also perform leak testing or electrical safety tests as needed. Throughout production we adhere to strict ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 procedures, and our factory is ISO, FDA and BSCI certified. In short, each part that leaves our floor is backed by these quality guarantees.

Finally, approved toys are dried and packaged. We offer custom packaging solutions – from sealed polybags and clamshells to full color boxes – all labeled according to client requirements. Each package is sanitized and sealed. At this point the products are ready to ship to brand owners in Europe or North America, accompanied by certificate documentation (e.g. FDA compliance, CE/LFGB reports) that many clients demand.

Customization Options (Color, Texture, Branding)

We specialize in custom OEM/ODM for B2B partners. Brands often want unique features, and our process is very flexible:

• Colors and Pigments: We can match any brand color. Silicone accepts vivid pigments and even translucent, glow-in-the-dark or pearlized effects. (Our mixing machines and degassing line ensure color is uniform.)

• Surface Texture: By polishing or texturing the mold surface, we create satin, matte or glossy finishes. We can also laser-etch fine patterns (for grip or decoration) so each toy has a distinct feel.

• Shapes & Sizes: Whether you need a straightforward geometric shape or an intricate anatomically-inspired design, our CAD and tooling team can deliver. We can scale sizes, add ergonomic curves, or even design multi-component assemblies (e.g. a silicone sleeve bonded to a hard-plastic handle).

• Branding: Logos can be molded-in via engraved inserts in the tooling. We also offer pad-printing or UV-ink printing on cured parts for precise logos and graphics. Even custom iconography and symbols are possible right on the toy.

In short, any feature you imagine – from two-tone color sections (using multi-shot injection) to glow-in-the-dark elements – can be accommodated. We work on each project collaboratively, helping you choose materials, feel, and packaging that align with your brand’s vision.

Conclusion: Partner with NEWTOP SILICONE

At NEWTOP SILICONE, we leverage decades of silicone expertise to bring our customers’ product ideas to life. I am proud that our factory in China delivers exactly what brand owners in Europe and North America expect: safe, high-quality, precision-made silicone toys. Our capabilities span the full cycle – design support, rapid prototyping, mold-making, high-volume molding, and stringent quality assurance. We hold ISO and FDA certifications to back our claims, and every batch is tested so you can launch new products with confidence.

We invite you to explore our Customization (ODM/OEM) services and browse our Products showcase. If you have a design or concept, please contact us for a detailed quote. I personally welcome any inquiries – our team is ready to discuss how we can craft a custom silicone toy that fits your brand’s needs. Let’s work together to bring innovative, body-safe products to customers across Europe and North America.

Enrique

Hi, I am the author of this article. For the past 10 years or so, we have been dedicated to meeting the custom silicone product needs of our customers from over 50 countries and regions around the world.

If you have any questions, please contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.