a molding apparatus and method for creating a molded object that incorporate a mold with a mold cavity , a mold core disposed within the mold cavity , and a reciprocating sleeve insertable between the mold core and the mold cavity . the apparatus and method include injecting molten plastic between the core and the sleeve forming a preform object , then retracting the sleeve and expanding the preform object by blow molding , using pressurized fluid provided through jets in the mold core , until the object expands to fill the mold cavity . the apparatus and method further include thermal conditioning of the sleeve when it is retracted to create a temperature profile in the sleeve that is then applied to the preform object , thereby providing finer control of the temperature profile of the preform object before the final blow molding step .