Injection Molding Cost Guide
Injection Molding Cost Guide | Mold & Part Pricing Explained
How much does an injection mold cost? Mold tooling cost drivers, per-part pricing economics, real project cost examples, and how to compare quotes fairly — from a Shenzhen mold maker.
A buyer sends a 3D file to three molders and receives three quotes. The first quotes $3,800 for the mold and $0.85 per part. The second quotes $8,500 and $0.52. The third quotes $22,000 and $0.28.
All three are correct. They are quoting three different tools: an aluminum prototype mold, a P20 single-cavity production tool, and an H13 four-cavity hot-runner mold. Each is the right choice — for a different production scenario.
This guide explains what drives mold cost and part cost, what typical programs cost, and how to compare quotes so you are comparing the same tool. If you have a part file, we return a written DFM report with tooling and per-part pricing within 24 hours — request a quote at the bottom of this page.
What Drives Mold Cost
There is no single “mold price.” Mold cost is a function of five variables:
| Driver | Cost Impact |
|---|---|
| Cavity count | Single largest driver. A 4-cavity mold costs 2.5–3× a 1-cavity mold, but cuts part cost to ~25% |
| Steel grade | P20 baseline → H13 1.4–1.8× → S136 stainless 1.8–2.5× |
| Part complexity | Side actions $800–$2,500 each, lifters $500–$1,500, high polish 8–20 hours of manual labour |
| Hot runner | +$3,000–$15,000 on the mold, pays back through material savings at volume |
| Mold size | Large parts need large mold bases — steel volume, machining time, and handling all scale |
The full engineering detail — steel selection, cavitation economics, and payback calculations — is in our injection molding cost breakdown article. Here we focus on what the numbers mean for your budget.
What Drives Per-Part Cost
Once the mold is built, every part costs:
Part Cost = Material + Machine Time + Labour + Secondary Operations + Packaging
Material is typically 40–60% of part cost. Commodity resins (PP, PE) run $1.50–$3.00/kg; engineering resins (ABS, PC, PA, POM) $3.00–$8.00/kg; high-performance grades (PEEK, PPS, PEI) $30–$90+/kg.
Machine time is the second component, priced by machine hour rate ($18–$35/hour for a mid-sized press in Shenzhen). Cavitation is the biggest lever: doubling cavities roughly halves the processing cost per part.
Typical Program Costs
Three representative programs, based on parts similar to what we mold for our case studies:
| Part | Mold | Part Cost | Program Total at 10,000 Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small electronics clip (POM, 3g, 1-cavity P20) | $3,500 | ~$0.17 | ~$5,200 |
| Device housing (PC/ABS, 85g, 2 side actions) | $8,500 | ~$0.70 | ~$15,500 |
| Automotive bracket (PA66-GF30, 180g, 3 side actions, PPAP) | $22,000 | ~$1.50 | ~$37,000 |
All monetary figures are illustrative. Actual costs depend on resin market pricing, part geometry, press loading, and exchange rates. Every RFQ receives a specific quote based on your part file, material specification, and production volume.
How to Compare Quotes Fairly
The most expensive mistake in sourcing is comparing quotes for different tools. Two molders quoting “your part” may be quoting:
- Different steel grades (P20 vs H13 — different tool life, different price)
- Different cavity counts (single vs multi-cavity)
- Different assumptions about volume and shot life
The fix is specification: send every supplier the same steel grade, cavity count, annual volume, surface finish, and target shot life. If you send only a 3D file with “please quote,” you will receive quotes for different tools — and the comparison will be meaningless. Our RFQ preparation guide has the complete checklist.
For volume programs, the economics change: tooling amortization, multi-cavity strategy, and hot-runner payback dominate the decision. See high-volume manufacturing for how we approach production programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do mold quotes vary so much between suppliers?
Differences in steel grade and tool life, unstated assumptions about cavitation and cooling, and genuine differences in overhead and margin structure. Specify steel, cavities, and shot life in your RFQ and all quotes will be for the same thing.
What is the biggest cost mistake buyers make?
Choosing the cheapest mold, then paying for it in per-part cost for the next five years. A $3,000 saving on the mold is lost within 30,000 parts if the part cost is $0.10 higher.
Do you charge for DFM analysis?
No. DFM review is included with every quote — a written report covering material recommendation, gate location, draft analysis, undercut identification, and tooling and per-part cost estimates. No charge, no obligation.
Get Your Project’s Numbers
Send your CAD file and project details. Our engineering team returns a written DFM report with tooling cost, per-part pricing, and lead time within 24 hours.