Question 1

On average, how much does a plastic injection mould cost?

Accepted Answer

The average price of a plastic injection mould ranges from €5,000 to €100,000 depending on complexity. A simple prototype mould starts at €5,000-€8,000. A standard single-impression serial mould for an average part costs between €15,000 and €40,000. A multi-impression long-run mould can exceed €100,000.

Question 2

Here are the factors that determine the price of an injection mould:

*   **Complexity of the Part Design:** Intricate designs with undercuts, complex surfaces, or multiple features will require more sophisticated mould construction, increasing the cost.
*   **Size and Weight of the Part:** Larger and heavier parts naturally require larger and more robust moulds, which are more expensive to manufacture.
*   **Material to be Moulded:** Different plastics have different processing requirements. Some materials are more abrasive and require harder steels for the mould, while others have specific flow characteristics that necessitate careful gate and runner design. High-temperature or corrosive materials will also increase mould cost.
*   **Number of Cavities:** A mould with multiple cavities (allowing for the production of several parts simultaneously) will be more expensive than a single-cavity mould, but the cost per part will decrease.
*   **Type of Steel Used:** The choice of steel for the mould is crucial. Hardened tool steels offer better durability and are suitable for high-volume production and abrasive materials, but they are more expensive than softer steels.
*   **Tolerance Requirements:** Parts that require extremely tight tolerances will demand a higher level of precision in mould manufacturing, leading to increased costs.
*   **Surface Finish:** If the moulded part needs a specific surface finish (e.g., high gloss, textured), this will affect the mould's manufacturing process, often requiring polishing or special treatments, which adds to the cost.
*   **Gate Type and Location:** The type and placement of the injection gate (where the plastic enters the mould) can influence the mould’s design and complexity.
*   **Cooling and Heating Systems:** Efficient cooling and heating channels are vital for proper mould operation. The complexity and number of these channels can impact the price.
*   **Ejection System:** The mechanism used to remove the part from the mould can vary in complexity, from simple ejector pins to more sophisticated systems for intricate parts or automated production.
*   **Lifespan and Production Volume:** For very high-volume production, moulds are often built with more durable materials and sophisticated design features to withstand millions of cycles, making them more expensive upfront.
*   **Tooling for Special Features:** If the mould needs to incorporate features like inserts, unscrewing mechanisms, or hot runner systems, these specialized components will significantly increase the cost.
*   **Design and Engineering Costs:** The time and expertise required for mould design, simulation, and engineering analysis are factored into the overall price.
*   **Machining and Finishing Processes:** The precision machining and finishing steps involved in creating the mould cavity and its components contribute to the labour and equipment costs.
*   **Testing and Validation:** The process of testing the mould to ensure it produces parts to specification and making any necessary adjustments adds to the total cost.

Accepted Answer

The price depends on the size of the mould, the number of cavities, the geometric complexity (undercuts, moving parts), the chosen steel (expected lifespan), the number of colours, the surface finish, the ejection system, the gating system (hot or cold runners), and the required precision.

Question 3

What is the price difference between prototype moulds and production moulds?

Accepted Answer

A prototype mould (€5,000-€15,000) uses a softer steel (P20, or even aluminium), is simplified, without hot runners, and often has a single cavity. A production mould (€20,000-€100,000 and more) uses treated steel (H13, Stavax), can have multiple cavities, with hot runners and optimised ejection for millions of cycles.

Question 4

What is the cost of a multi-cavity injection mould?

Accepted Answer

A two-cavity mould costs around €30,000 to €50,000 more than a single-cavity mould (€15,000 to €60,000). A 4-cavity mould can cost between €80,000 and €150,000. Beyond that, 8- or 16-cavity moulds for large-scale production exceed €200,000. The cost per unit produced decreases with the number of cavities.

Question 5

Is the price of a mould made in China cheaper?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a mould manufactured in China is typically 40 to 60% cheaper than an equivalent mould manufactured in France. However, one must take into account the quality of quality control, delivery times (4–6 weeks), the costs of remote modifications, and intellectual property rights. Hybster manages its sourcing from China in a structured manner.

Question 6

How does mould steel influence its price?

Accepted Answer

The choice of steel has a direct impact on price and service life: aluminium (5,000–20,000 cycles, low price), P20 (200,000 cycles), H13 (500,000 cycles and above), Stavax (stainless steel, polished finishes, long production runs). High-quality steel costs 30 to 100% more but avoids premature replacement.

Question 7

Should you choose a cheaper mould or a more durable one?

Accepted Answer

The choice depends on the target volume. For limited production (fewer than 50,000 pieces), a amortised prototype mould remains cost-effective. For long runs (more than 200,000 pieces), investing in a hardened steel production mould is more profitable despite the higher initial cost. The total cost per piece over its lifespan analysis is key.

Volumes	Very big	Big	Average	Small	Prototypes
Mould classification	101	102	103	104	105
Number of cycles	1,000,000	Under 500,000	Under 100,000	Under 50,000	Under 500
Stainless steel casing	S	O
Plaques porte footprint en acier inox.	S	O
Mould blocks, hardened (depending on the material to be injected)	S	S	O	O
Pre-treated steel cavity inserts			S	S	O
Blocs impressions en aluminium					S
Spare parts supplied with the mould	S	S	O	O
Runnerless mould design (Hot Runner)	S	S	O
tiroir" class="hx-glossary-autolink" data-glossary-term="tiroir">Tiroirs / Mouvements automatiques	S	S	S	S	O
Guided ejection system	S	S	S	S	O
Plaquettes de fermeture au joint plan	S	S	S	O
Spare parts supplied with the mould	S	S	O	O
Complete 2D / 3D Drawings	S	S	S	S

Plastic injection mould pricing

price of a plastic injection mould

Factors influencing the price of an injection mould

Cost transparency

❓ Frequently Asked Questions