Desktop Injection Molding
Desktop injection molding of small plastic parts and promotional items
Video published Oct 17, 2026 by Business Cortex
Startup cost: Moderate startup cost (machine about $800-3,000 plus $200-1,000 per mold)
Source video
Business Cortex · 50 Machines That Make Products People Buy Every Day ↗
One of 9 gigs covered in this video
What It Is
You run a desktop semi-automatic injection molder that melts plastic pellets into metal molds to make small parts in repeatable batches: custom keychains, bottle openers, clips, hooks, cable organizers, promotional items and replacement parts, sold to local businesses, online buyers and product developers who need prototypes.
The Pitch
The narrator says material costs are a few cents per piece while finished items sell for $2-15, and estimates a bedroom operator producing 200-500 parts a day could make $3,000-10,000 a month.
Who It’s Best For
Someone mechanically minded who enjoys design and can find business customers for small custom parts.
The Truth (as we see it)
Desktop molding is real, but each new design needs a mold costing hundreds of dollars, so it pays only for products you'll make many times. Melting plastic needs ventilation and heat safety. The video is a fast 50-machine roundup with brief segments, so it doesn't cover selling, permits or real operating experience; the income ranges are the narrator's estimates, not results shown.
Our assessment, based on the video and what’s typical across similar videos. We don’t independently verify income claims or prices.
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