--- title: Foam Packaging Fabrication for Products (Custom Cut) description: Learn more about five common methods of foam fabrication and see which one could be right for your needs. image: https://blog.m-line.com/hubfs/blog-foam-packinging.jpg --- [Upload a File](https://upload.m-line.com/) [Request a Quote](https://m-line.com/get-a-quote/) [Customer Login](https://b2b.m-line.com/) [1-800-659-8559](tel:1-800-659-8559) [Request a Quote](https://blog.m-line.com/get-a-quote/) [1-800-659-8559](tel:1-800-659-8559) [![m-line logo](https://m-line.com/wp-content/themes/mline/library/images/logo.png) ![m-line logo](https://m-line.com/wp-content/themes/mline/library/images/logo.png)](https://m-line.com) Menu - [PRODUCTS](https://m-line.com/custom-packaging-solutions/) - - [![box-icon](https://m-line.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/box-icon.png) ![box-icon](https://m-line.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/box-icon.png) Boxes and Inserts](https://m-line.com/custom-packaging-solutions/boxes-inserts/) - [Boxes & Inserts](https://m-line.com/custom-packaging-solutions/boxes-inserts/) Protect and ship your products with cardboard corrugated, chipboard, and SBS cartons, or plastic corrugated boxes and cartons. 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And there are a variety of ways it can be created, which are good to know when it comes to choosing the right type for your product. The method chosen all depends on the foam design, foam type, and quantity needed. Here’s a quick rundown of five common [foam fabrication](https://m-line.com/custom-packaging-solutions/foam-packaging-and-inserts/) methods:   ## Foam Fabrication Method #1: Die-Cutting ![Die for cutting foam piece](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/y4fhCec-5ifvtnI6V58U_7j204q_wuHwahdzNUeRPirlM1UOy_hJlvVO_aPCy3NL_8ltAhSAX-YJD6B-v_V4B0-ZOt-bcNKvqIQY7FJSiSsh-Ekqk7ROVr7gpeSrD_TT2nzYGMbM) This method uses a steel rule die to stamp out the parts. It's a cost-effective, quick method of producing parts.   However, it may have some downsides. The initial *tooling* cost can be high, and concavity (an hourglass shape instead of a straight cut) can occur due to the foam compressing during the die-cutting process   ## Foam Fabrication Method #2: CAD Table Cutting ![CAD table cutting foam piece](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/n-zTS_dETQcCf0gBxfMbwFAnrf56qGiaEuCNZVHKaJGUm6H7l32pRrtykzZHq3wg3JooeGUEp1TYlbwXsEsUlY7hT4S8wUH_dTxBgD7v6jPiqzdrExa9ec6jO0bzyAy7l3GBf9hL) The foam plank is vacuumed onto a cutting table, and then various blades can be used to cut out shapes within the foam plank. The cutouts are all programmed into the machine via an engineering file. There’s no tooling cost with this method, and no risk of concavity. However, it can be a slower process because of the speed limitations of the CAD table. [*Download our guide to the four most common types of foam and see which one could be right for your product >>*](https://resources.m-line.com/guide-to-packaging-foam)   ## Foam Fabrication Method #3: CNC Wire Cutting ![CNC machine cutting foam piece](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/UF8Aslh7MrlVkec1g0yH0E8S4ck7vjoBobPY30pyqnSlgTcWfjJMTsa3JwC7xDZcQRbBzWA4g_jMfDAmVrmcnLK97XMWNZmwIgYMBE3rMnRmHnI6i7CFL-iFKGBoq35SfCXebreC) A large foam bun is placed on a table, and a wire is run through the entire bun either horizontally or vertically.   CNC cutting can produce a large volume of foam at one time, and again, there’s no tooling cost. If there are any cutouts in the middle of a cavity or shape, there will need to be an entry point to create the cutout.    ## Foam Fabrication Method #4: Water Jet Cutting ![Water jet cutting foam piece](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9SUGgnjpbYtzP23pVLSS0X5OzeN1PvvJ-ijiYXZGZXQsA5NeFirk4pJRx7_9iGpX3tGZPZDWp6nYmgqLpwh8lXuO8RbhsNLGtB9NOjSuOzlc4f_D4x6Sm9zj2AbgzdcG86D7dUau) Water under very high pressure is used to cut shapes out of the foam. Again, there’s no tooling cost and no concavity.  Water jet cutting can produce very small, precise shapes and letters - even nonstandard shapes with a 5-axis head. The parts do need drying time after being exposed to the water jet.    ## Foam Fabrication Method #5: Molding ## ![Molded piece of packaging foam](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/WrQTZkHTtwOiAD9SDZ75CVEMYofGGEq0W-jEjRsIB5lw_G0aMDDOUqhCfoDB76qB-i2eao3CCLkKV3ZKYQ6EGgRGpeg8O-Bl_--ZpGqefO7i7lry-WI0lTRgVdGsZ_IIoR8y0xS2) With this method, foam is molded under heat and pressure using aluminum molds. It makes for inexpensive part costs, but because the molds themselves are very expensive, volumes of 10,000+ pieces are needed to make this a worthwhile option.   ## Foam Packaging From M-Line M-Line can help with your foam needs - even (and especially) those that are out of the ordinary. Our [sales and engineering staff](https://m-line.com/get-a-quote/) can help you with every piece of the foam design as well as the best method to produce it.  ### [**Contact Us**](https://m-line.com/contact-us/) [Foam Packaging](https://blog.m-line.com/tag/foam-packaging) ## Read On ### [How to Choose Foam Packaging (Custom Cut for Products) Foam can be an excellent option for protecting products in transit, and for creating a perfect...](https://blog.m-line.com/a-guide-to-choosing-foam-packaging) ### [Protect Products with Custom-Cut Foam Inserts for Packaging When it comes to shipping, storing, or showcasing your product, protection is critical. At M-Line,...](https://blog.m-line.com/custom-cut-foam-inserts-packaging) ### [Custom Box for Packaging Products Sometimes, the best packaging solution requires a custom-designed box. Unusual product dimensions,...](https://blog.m-line.com/custom-box) ## WHAT KIND OF PACKAGING DO YOU NEED? 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