There is a noticeable difference in quotation speed in the injection mold industry: some suppliers provide quotations within 2 hours, while others require up to 3 days for detailed cost calculations. Prices may vary by 15%–25%.
Why does this happen? Which Quotation is more reliable? This article breaks down the underlying industry logic and explains three methods for evaluating quotation accuracy.
1. The Quotation Speed Depends on “Information Breakdown” and “Cost Calculation Depth”
Injection mold making is a customized engineering service. The speed of Quotation depends on how deeply the supplier understands your requirements and how detailed their cost breakdown is.
1. Fast Quotation: “Empirical Estimation” vs. “Information Missing”
Suppliers who quote quickly often rely on template-based cost formulas, such as:
- Product weight × resin price × multiplier
- Projected area × a fixed rate (e.g., USD/㎡)
This approach skips critical engineering information:
- Structural complexity (undercuts? deep cavities? need sliders/lifters?)
- Tolerance requirements (±0.01 mm vs. ±0.1 mm — determines machining process)
- Production volume
- 10,000 pcs → P20 steel
- 1,000,000 pcs → S136 stainless mold steel (cost difference 3–5×)
Example:
A factory quotes “USD 2,000 for a phone case mold” without asking whether the surface finish requires mirror polish or EDM texture. Mirror polishing can increase cost by 20% — additional charges are guaranteed later.
2. Slow Quotation: “Full-Process Costing” and “Cross-Department Evaluation”
A slow and detailed quotation usually comes from a supplier who performs these steps:
- Requests 3D CAD files + resin grade (e.g., PP / PC / PEEK) to evaluate structural complexity
- Confirms dimensional tolerances (±0.02 mm requires high-precision CNC with C3 ball screws — ~50% higher cost)
- Calculates material and processing costs, including:
- Mold base and core steel
- CNC machining, EDM, grinding
- Mold trial cost based on the tonnage of the injection machine
The process takes longer, but every cost has an engineering justification.
2. Three Hard Indicators to Judge Quotation Accuracy
Quotation speed ≠ accuracy. A reliable quotation must meet the following criteria:
1. Cost Breakdown Reaches the “Component-Level”
Accurate quotations clearly list:
- Materials:
- Mold base + cavity/core steel grade and weight
- Standard components (10%–20% of total cost)
- Machining:
- Rough machining: 80–150 RMB/hour
- Precision machining: 150–300 RMB/hour
- Surface treatment: 50–200 RMB/㎡
- Design & Mold Trial:
- Mold design: 1,000–3,000 RMB for simple molds
- T1 trial: includes labor + resin
- Profit & Tax:
- Profit margin: 10%–15% (industry average)
- VAT: 13%
2. Quotation Method Must Match the Product Type
Different parts require different pricing logic:
- Simple parts (flat housings): structural pricing (base cost + slider cost: 3,000–5,000 RMB each)
- High-volume consumer goods: cost-plus method (materials + machining + 10%–15% margin)
- Highly competitive parts (3C accessories): market-based pricing (±10% from market average)
3. Hidden Terms Must Be Clearly Stated
Key items to confirm:
- Tax included or excluded (13% VAT?)
- Warranty coverage:
- 6 months?
- 1 year?
- Or within 100,000 shots?
- Payment terms:
- Industry-standard: 50%-40%-10%
- (50% deposit, 40% after T1 approval, 10% upon final acceptance)
3. Three Practical Tips for Startups and Buyers
- Provide complete requirements before asking for a quote: 3D file, resin material, tolerance, production volume — avoid “guess-based” quotes.
- If the price difference exceeds 15%, ask why: a low price may indicate the use of lower-grade steel (P20 instead of 718H), which can lead to shorter mold life.
- Prioritize slow quotations: factories that spend 3 days analyzing costs usually help you avoid future “hidden upcharges.”
Conclusion
In the Injection Molded Parts quotation, “Fast” often means missing technical details, while “Slow” represents respect for engineering cost.
For startups and purchasers, accuracy is far more important than speed — the cost of rework is much higher than the cost of waiting 3 days for a precise quotation.
