Small vacuum formers work well with 3D-printed, CNC or hand-made masters.
SPECIALIST · EQUIPMENT GUIDE
Vacuum forming & thermoforming
Heat sheet plastic and form it over a master to make packaging, trays, shells, masks, moulds and repeated thin-wall parts.
Packaging prototypesMasks and costume shellsChocolate and casting mouldsProduct traysThin plastic housings
FEATURED ASSESSMENTFormBox£699 excl. VAT / £838.80 incl. VAT
THE QUESTIONIs vacuum forming the right route for repeated thin shells, or would 3D printing, moulding or outsourced forming be simpler?
LISTED OPTIONS2
MULTI-REVIEWED0
What changes as the budget rises
Pressure-assisted systems add material range, detail and repeatability at a much higher cost.
For occasional large parts, a forming service may make more sense than owning the machine.
COMPARE THE ACTUAL OPTIONS
Compare models and tools
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Compare the same job, not just the price.
Read each model in the same order: price and scope, best use, limitations, then the assessment. Match your material, working size and required output first. Include accessories, consumables, software and workspace needs before deciding.
PROVISIONALMayku · premium
FormBox
£699 excl. VAT / £838.80 incl. VATCompact desktop vacuum former that uses a household vacuum cleaner to turn thermoplastic sheet over a physical master.
BEST FOR
Makers who want repeated moulds, trays, packaging, costume shells or casting forms from 3D-printed, CNC, sculpted or found-object masters.
WATCHRequires an external vacuum cleaner · Sheet size and draw depth are limited
CAIBIOne of the clearest examples of a process people may never realise is accessible at home. AI can help design the master, but the FormBox is what makes repeated physical shells and moulds practical.Open assessment →
PROVISIONALMayku · professional
Multiplier
Quote / roughly $4,000-$5,600 class depending current offerPressure-forming desktop machine for higher-detail, thicker and more demanding thermoformed parts than basic vacuum forming.
BEST FOR
Product designers, studios and small production users who need strong repeatable formed parts from a desktop system.
WATCH57 kg machine · Professional-level price
CAIBIA genuine bridge between desktop prototyping and low-volume formed-part production, but too expensive and specialised to treat as a general maker recommendation.Open assessment →