Overview. Thermo or 'Vacuum forming' is one of the oldest and most common methods of processing plastic materials. Vacuum formed products are all around us and play a major part in our daily lives. The process involves heating a plastic sheet until soft and then draping it over a mould.

Vacuum forming tools generally cost £ 1000 - £ 1500 as they are made from lower cost aluminium instead of hardened tool steels or alloys & do not require the same accuracy as an injection moulding tool.

Four types of machines are there for the vacuum forming process. DIY machine, tabletop machine, single heater machine, and double heater machine. The vacuum forming process is used widely in medical, automobiles, food packaging, and household items.

Vacuum forming costs vary based on material, design, and quantity. It's cost-effective for small batches with tooling costs from $1,000 to $5,000, cheaper than injection molding.