Recurring part cost separated from tooling cost
Plastic Injection Molding Cost and Pricing Factors
Molded-part price is shaped by resin, part weight, cycle, cavities, quantity, inspection, secondary work, packing and commercial terms. A quote is only comparable when these assumptions match.
Cost Drivers You Can Actually Define
Material consumption
Part weight, runner waste, regrind rules, color/masterbatch and exact resin grade.
Cycle and machine
Fill, cooling, ejection, automation and the machine needed for the mold and shot.
Cavity count
More cavities spread cycle and labor across more parts but increase tool and balancing complexity.
Order quantity
Setup, material minimums, inspection and packing are distributed differently at each quantity.
Quality plan
Critical dimensions, sampling, reports, function checks and disposition of nonconforming parts.
Assembly and packing
Inserts, magnets, screws, printing, assembly, protection, count and labels.
Why an Online Number Can Mislead
Two visually similar parts may differ in resin grade, wall, cavity count, cycle, cosmetic standard, inspection and packaging. Publishing a single price without those inputs encourages a false comparison.
Project cost sheets in the YLP archive are used to identify the factors and RFQ fields on this page. Customer names, prices and order references remain private.
Commercial boundary: freight, duties, tax, payment terms, material changes and exchange assumptions are stated separately when relevant.
A Cost-Ready RFQ
| Input | Minimum useful detail | Cost risk if missing |
|---|---|---|
| Part data | 3D model, 2D drawing, revision and critical dimensions | Wrong geometry, mass or inspection assumption |
| Resin | Exact grade or performance requirements | Invalid material price and shrinkage basis |
| Quantities | Trial, first order and annual volume | Wrong cavity, setup and price-break logic |
| Finish/assembly | Texture, color, printing, inserts and mating parts | Missing labor, tooling or quality operations |
| Packing/delivery | Protection, count, labels, destination and terms | Incomplete landed-scope comparison |
Pricing FAQ
Why does unit price fall with quantity?
Does a cheaper resin always reduce cost?
Can you quote before a mold exists?
Request a Part Cost Review
Send a cost-ready RFQ. We will separate missing inputs, one-time tooling and recurring production assumptions.