The process of shaping pliable raw materials to desired form. Rigid frames or patterns are sometimes used to aid in moulding.

Moulding also refers to manufacture using moulds. Moulds are hollow blocks; liquid materials such as molten glass, metal, plastic, plaster or ceramic materials are pored in to the mould and allowed to set. Once set, the mould is opened and the cast moulding is removed. It is the shape of the internal cavity of the mould. This process is used to make single or multiple copies of a design and is one of the most common manufacture processes. The term moulding and casting are almost synonymous; they differ in that casting normally refers to metals and moulding normally refers to other materials like plastic, clay or glass.