How Much Does Plastic Injection Molding Cost?

Plastic injection molding costs consist of two main components: tooling costs (one-time) and per-part costs (recurring).

Tooling Costs:

• Simple Prototype Mold (Aluminum, 1 cavity): $3,000 - $8,000
• Basic Production Mold (P20 Steel, 1-2 cavities): $8,000 - $25,000
• Standard Production Mold (Steel, 2-4 cavities): $25,000 - $50,000
• Complex Multi-Cavity Mold (Hardened Steel, Hot Runner): $50,000 - $150,000+
• Large/Highly Complex Molds: $150,000 - $500,000+

Per-Part Costs Depend On:

• Part Size – Larger parts require more material and cycle time
• Material Cost – Commodity plastics ($1-3/lb) vs. engineering ($5-15/lb) vs. high-performance ($50-200/lb)
• Cycle Time – Faster cycles = lower labor/machine cost per part
• Production Volume – Higher volumes spread fixed costs, reducing per-part price
• Secondary Operations – Painting, pad printing, assembly add cost

Example Per-Part Costs:

• Small, simple part (10g, PP): $0.15 - $0.50
• Medium part (50g, ABS): $0.75 - $2.50
• Large part (200g, PC/ABS): $3.00 - $10.00
• Complex engineered part (Nylon GF): $5.00 - $25.00

We provide detailed, transparent quotations that break down all costs so you can make informed decisions.