A method for molding an optical disk comprises: applying a thermally insulative insert coating to at least one thermally insulative mold insert to provide at least one coated mold insert having a reduced surface roughness; positioning the coated mold insert between a thermally conductive mold form and a portion of a thermally conductive mold apparatus; injecting a molten thermoplastic material into the mold apparatus; retaining the material in the mold apparatus for a time sufficient for the molten thermoplastic material to cool below its glass transition temperature to form the optical disk; and ejecting the optical disk from the mold apparatus. In another embodiment, the mold insert is coated or laminated on the mold form with the mold insert having a coefficient of thermal expansion compatible with the coefficient of thermal expansion of the mold form. In another embodiment, the mold insert is fabricated by being applied, cured, and then removed from a release layer.