The Dreaded Raised Face: Troubleshooting Common Issues in Dice Making

When making dice, nothing beats the thrill of depressurizing the pressure pot and unveiling a fresh set. It’s like Christmas morning mixed with the cozy comfort of a hot cup of coffee on a winter day. However, every dice maker knows the frustration of encountering raised faces. While sometimes these are just thick flashing that can be easily sanded off, other times they result in unusable dice. Let’s explore a few reasons you might be experiencing raised faces in your creations.

1. Too Much Resin

Overfilling your mold can lead to the lid decoupling from the base, resulting in raised faces that are tough to fix. To avoid this, pour just enough resin to maintain its shape within the mold cavities, allowing it to bubble slightly over the top without spilling over. A little extra resin on the numbers can help create a thin flashing that’s easy to manage!

2. Not Pressing Down on the Lid Enough

Capping your molds requires finesse. If you don’t apply enough pressure, you’ll end up with raised faces. To fix this, press down slowly with even pressure while gently twisting or shimmying the cap. This helps the resin flow evenly, creating a thin flashing while filling any voids created under pressure.

3. A Bad Mold

Sometimes the mold itself can be the culprit. Molds without proper relief for resin to escape are often prone to raised faces. Check your mold for any ridges or blockages that might prevent the excess resin from flowing out properly.

4. An Old Mold

As molds age, they can deteriorate, leading to more raised faces in your pulls. This may be due to increased friction as the silicone wears out, hindering the resin’s flow. If you notice a pattern of raised faces, it might be time to retire your old mold and invest in a new one.

In future posts we will talk more about voids in dice, for now i hope you enjoyed the read.

-Matt