A point of interest when it comes to the making of poker chips is that store-bought, or commercially-manufactured, chips are different from those found at casinos. Why, you may ask? To avoid forgery – but more on that later.
Even though the way in which these chips are manufactured may differ, there are two primary methods used: injection molding and compression molding, which are used for clay and clay composite chips, such as those found at MGM casinos.
Compression molding
If you happen to be someone who enjoys playing casino games that involve chips as a currency, such as Texas Hold’em poker, then you may be interested to learn about the compression molding process of making clay Texas Hold’em poker chips. This process involves high pressure and heat, which ultimately allow for the design and shape to be created.
A simplified explanation of this is that the bottom part of the mold cavity needs to be heated, where the base-colored disc is then placed. The top part of the mold cavity is then placed on top of it, with pressure being applied to ensure that the clay mix fits into all crooks and crevices of the mold to take on its pattern. Before the compression, the inlay, which is for the center of the chip, is inserted to form part of the chip.
The middle part of the chip often has some sort of distinct branding or design or, in some cases, the chip’s denomination – which indicates the poker chip values. The edge spots are created when the manufacturer cuts out certain parts of the clay around the disc and then inserts the desired color of clay for completion.
Injection molding
Known as the relatively easier way of making poker chips, the injection molding process for ceramic chips is less complicated because ceramic chips, unlike clay chips, have a single base color.
The design of a ceramic chip is transferred – through digital printing – directly onto the single-colored chip. This means that the inlays that form part of the compression molding process aren’t required. The digital printing element of this process also allows for unique and customized chips to be created because there are no limitations to the designs that can be produced through dye sublimation.
Re: How Are Poker Chips Made?
4Thank you for sharing this interesting insight into poker chip production! 
Re: How Are Poker Chips Made?
6You're welcome! I'm glad you found it interestingAnkoSnakeWhiqbh wrote: Sun Sep 03, 2023 2:24 am Thank you for sharing this interesting insight into poker chip production!