SALTGATOR Soft Material Injector Turns Your Desk Into a Creative Workshop
When we first heard about SALTGATOR, we were intrigued: a desktop injection system for soft materials that works like a 3D printer? We had to know more. In this exclusive chat with the creators, we explore how this compact, powerful tool is opening up new creative frontiers — from custom fishing lures and cosplay props to educational demos and squishy art toys. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or a curious beginner, SALTGATOR offers a new way to turn soft ideas into something real.
SoftGel Innovation in the Palm of Your Hand
Most people associate injection molding with large, industrial machines. What inspired you to shrink this process into a compact, desktop-friendly tool like SALTGATOR?
We’re makers and fishing enthusiasts ourselves, and we were constantly frustrated by how high the barrier to entry was with soft plastic molding — big machines, high costs, complicated operation. Traditional injection systems are bulky and expensive, and just not user-friendly for hobbyists or creators. With SALTGATOR, our goal was to create a “3D printer for soft materials” — something compact, complete, and easy to use right on your desk. We wanted to make soft material creation as simple and accessible as 3D printing.
From Baits to Bumpers: Who It’s For
SALTGATOR supports everything from custom lures to soft grip pads. Who did you have in mind when designing this product, and what kinds of creators do you see using it?
We built SALTGATOR for anyone who wants to turn soft, squishy ideas into real-world creations. Whether it’s an angler crafting their own fishing lures, a DIY enthusiast exploring new mold designs, or a maker building creative projects — SALTGATOR is their perfect tool. We’ve also seen strong interest from educators, cosplay prop makers, and even industrial designers. From cat paw keycaps and bumpers to soft toy accessories, SALTGATOR makes the whole process fast, safe, and repeatable.
10-Minute Turnaround: How It Works
You claim that SALTGATOR can go from material to finished product in 10 minutes. Can you walk us through the step-by-step process and what makes it so efficient?
Absolutely. SALTGATOR follows a simple five-step process: Add glitter, dye, or other custom ingredients to the raw material. Fill the Injection Chamber by extracting or pouring in the raw material. Place the chamber into the base, set the temperature, and start heating and mixing. Inject the heated material into the mold. Wait about 3 minutes, let it cool naturally or place it in water, then open the mold to reveal your finished piece. The entire process is closed and automatic — no open flame, no material transfers mid-process. It’s clean, safe, and incredibly efficient for desktop use.
SALTGATOR Safety design
Soft plastic molding typically raises safety concerns. How did you design SALTGATOR to be safe enough for desktop use while still powerful and reliable?
From day one, safety was at the core of our design. SALTGATOR uses a fully enclosed heating chamber with a built-in temperature control system. The outer shell is insulated and heatproof to prevent burns. The injection process is purely mechanical — no air pressure, no complicated electronics — which reduces risk significantly. It’s easy to clean, thermally stable, and designed for safe use in home workshops, classrooms, and maker spaces.
Beyond the Mold: Open Libraries and Customization
Not everyone has 3D design experience. How does SALTGATOR support beginners while still offering full creative freedom for advanced users?
SALTGATOR is truly made for all levels of users. For beginners, we offer two easy ways to get started: First, we provide a ready-to-use mold library. Users can download STL files and print their own molds with a home 3D printer — perfect for making lures, keycaps, toys, and more. Second, we’re also developing simple mold-copying kits for manual replication — these will be offered as free Kickstarter perks. For advanced users, we’re building a mold library that integrates with custom mold-generation tools. You can upload your design and get printable or CNC-ready files, whether you’re using 3D printing, silicone casting, or other techniques. It’s an open, modular system — creativity isn’t limited by experience.
Thank you to the SALTGATOR team for walking us through how they’re redefining soft plastic creation. From its safe, streamlined design to open-source mold libraries and fast 10-minute workflows, SALTGATOR is making professional-quality molding accessible to everyone. Whether you’re molding your next big idea or just experimenting, this compact machine puts a whole world of soft innovation at your fingertips.
SALTGATOR: The 1st Desktop SoftGel Injection Molding Machine
About SALTGATOR Team
The SALTGATOR team is made up of makers, engineers, and fishing fanatics who were tired of clunky, industrial plastic molding setups. With backgrounds in product design, mechanical engineering, and hobbyist fabrication, they set out to democratize soft material creation. Their goal: a compact, safe, and affordable system anyone can use — whether you’re casting lures, designing keycaps, or teaching the next generation of creators. SALTGATOR is their answer to that challenge.
Launching Soon on Kickstarter
