How to choose when the same mold has widely different offers?

Comparing Mold Quotes? Don’t Just Pick the Lowest Price

When getting quotes from multiple mold suppliers, don’t just focus on the final figure. Understand where your money actually goes: Steel & Core Components Check the steel grade, mold base, and brand of standard parts (hot runners, sliders, pins). Even with the same steel type (e.g., P20), differences in hardness and mold life cause huge price gaps. Machining & Labor Costs Precision machining (CNC, EDM, wire cutting, polishing, texturing) often costs far more than raw materials. Complex structures and tighter tolerances directly increase labor hours and total cost. Trial & Modification Fees Confirm how many mold trials (T1, T2) are included, who provides resin, and who covers modification costs for design changes versus supplier errors. Low upfront quotes often come with hidden trial fees later. Hidden & Auxiliary Costs Freight, taxes, spare parts, and post-sales maintenance can be overlooked. A lower bid may simply mean key items were excluded from the original offer. Pro Tip: Always standardize your specs—drawing version, cavity count, steel grade, and surface finish—across all suppliers before comparing. A fair price reflects the right balance of configuration, machining accuracy, trial support, and service.