Tool and die making, the industrial art of manufacturing stamping dies, plastics molds, and jigs and fixtures for mass production of solid objects.

The manufacture of stamping dies is a major part of the work of a tool and die shop. Most stamping dies are used to make sheet metal parts ranging in size from the finger ring of a dial telephone to the panel of an automobile body. Each stamping die consists of two parts, called punch and die, or male and female dies. Both parts are firmly mounted on an electrically or hydraulically driven press. During a work cycle, the punch ram mounted on the male die is lowered into the stationary female die. Any metal sandwiched between the two parts is cut or shaped into a specified shape. Like dies, presses range in size from very small to huge. Bench presses are usually small enough to be picked up by hand; however, the presses used to stamp out car roofs are typically about three stories high and capable of exerting several tons of force.

The molds involved in plastic molding are quite similar to stamping molds. The main difference is that stamping requires force, while molding does not. In plastic molding, two units are required, which are designed in such a way that, when combined, they form a closed system of cavities connected to a central orifice. The liquid plastic is forced through the orifice into the cavity or mold, and when the plastic solidifies, the mold opens and the finished part is ejected.