When a customer sends an RFQ, the first thing I do is classify the tool, because the process dictates everything downstream. Injection molds for plastic parts, blow molds for hollow bodies, extrusion dies for profiles, die-casting dies for aluminum and zinc, forging dies, and stamping dies for sheet metal all carry different steel grades, tolerances, and lead times. A die-casting die for an aluminum housing needs H13-class hot-work steel with proper heat treatment and venting, while a stamping die for a 1.5 mm steel bracket may run on SKD11 inserts with a simpler frame. Getting the category right at the quotation stage prevents the classic mistake of pricing a hot-work tool like a room-temperature plastic mold.
Cost breakdown follows the same logic. Material typically accounts for 15–30% of a mold price, machining and EDM another 30–40%, and the remainder covers design, fitting, trial runs, and profit margin. Cavity count is the biggest lever: a single-cavity prototype tool and a 16-cavity production mold share the same base frame cost but diverge sharply in cavity machining, hot-runner systems, and cooling layout. I always ask about annual volume before quoting—if the customer needs 50,000 parts, a 2-cavity tool with a balanced runner may beat a 4-cavity design once you factor in press time and scrap. Steel selection, surface finish requirements (SPI A1 versus a textured finish), and slider/lifter count each add measurable cost, and I list them as line items so the customer sees where the money goes.
None of this works without shop-floor input. Before I send a number, I confirm machining capacity, EDM hours available, and whether the toolroom can handle the projected tryout schedule. A quote built purely on spreadsheet formulas will come back to bite you when the mold needs three trial shots instead of one. For more mold sourcing information and supplier comparisons, visit MoldSo at www.moldso.com.