§1What this business is

Models are designed in 3D, steel moulds are made and molten zinc or aluminium alloy is injected under high pressure. Parts are trimmed, CNC-machined, spray-painted, fitted with plastic and rubber parts, checked and boxed. Scales include 1:18, 1:24, 1:43 and 1:64. Buyers are collectors, hobby shops, automobile and machinery brands, museums, schools and corporate gift buyers; custom branded models fetch premium prices.

§2Is it right for you?

Who it is for

A mechanical engineer or tool-room owner with design skills and capital, who can sell to brands and collectors.

Who it is not for

A beginner without casting or tool-room experience.

Advantages

  • Most diecast models sold in India are imported — room for local makers
  • Higher import duties on toys favour Indian manufacturing
  • Custom branded models for car makers and companies pay well
  • Collectors buy limited editions repeatedly

Drawbacks

  • Moulds and dies are costly for every new model
  • Fine detail and paint finish demand skilled workers
  • Established global brands set collectors' expectations
  • ₹1 Cr project — above PMEGP and MUDRA limits

Skills you need

  • CAD and 3D design
  • Die design and high-pressure die casting
  • Spray painting and miniature assembly
  • Licensing deals and online selling to collectors

Why difficulty 4/5: Precision casting, costly moulds and a demanding collector market.

§3Market

Who buys

  • Collectors and hobbyists
  • Automobile, aviation and machinery brands
  • Museums and theme parks
  • Schools and engineering institutes
  • Corporate gift buyers and souvenir shops

How it sells

  • Hobby stores and wholesale/retail
  • E-commerce and own online store
  • Toy and hobby expos
  • Custom orders and licensing tie-ups with brands

Good to know

  • The profile says the Indian market is underserved and mostly imported.
  • Limited and festival editions are a planned revenue line.

§4Raw material & machinery

ItemQtyCost
High-pressure diecasting machines2—
CNC milling and lathe machines——
Spray painting and airbrushing booths——
Assembly benches with magnifying lamps——
Packaging and labelling machines——
Machinery & equipment in total—₹40,00,000

From: Uttarakhand DUY project profile — Diecast Models Manufacturing Unit in Uttarakhand

  • Zinc or aluminium alloy ingotsfor diecasting
  • Steel for dies and moulds
  • Plastic and rubber parts, paints, adhesives and decalsdecals from local printers
  • Packaging material

From: Uttarakhand DUY project profile — Diecast Models Manufacturing Unit in Uttarakhand

In our raw material database

Aluminium ingot, billet and wire rod (primary) →Zinc ingot (refined zinc) →

§5Licences & registration

  1. Udyam registration
  2. GST registration
  3. BIS licence under the Toys (Quality Control) Order when models are sold as toys for children
  4. State Pollution Control Board consent to establish and operate (casting and painting)
  5. Factory licence
  6. Written licence from vehicle or aircraft brands before copying their designs

We can do this registration for you

§6Schemes & subsidies

At ₹1 Cr the project is above PMEGP and MUDRA limits; the profile names CGTMSE for a collateral-free loan; Stand-Up India loans for SC/ST and women founders can cover the bank share.

§7Money

How the investment is worked out: Land & building ₹25 L + machinery & equipment ₹40 L + furniture & office ₹3 L + pre-operative ₹2 L + first-year salaries & wages ₹18 L + working capital & marketing ₹12 L = ₹1.00 Cr.

Working capital: Working capital and marketing ₹12 L. Finance: 30% promoter, 60% term loan from a bank or SIDBI, 10% capital subsidy.

Year not printed on the profile — check current machinery and material prices.

How to prepare a loan file

§8Export potential

Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export

9503.00Toys; reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models

Export council / board: DGFT (IEC)

  • Confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker before shipping.
  • Toy-safety standards of the buying country apply to models sold as toys.

§9Risks — where people fail

  • Defects and paint faults that collectors reject
  • Brand-licensing permission needed for real car and aircraft replicas
  • Cheap imports
  • Toy safety rules if models are sold to children

§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan

A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.

  1. Days 1–30: Visit a working diecast scale models unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
  2. Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST registration), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
  3. Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.

§11Who to connect with

Not verified yet

Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect

§12Watch

There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.

Want to start Diecast Scale Models?

DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.

Get a DPR / loan file made

Sources

  1. Uttarakhand DUY project profile — Diecast Models Manufacturing Unit in Uttarakhand

Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.