Understanding the factors that drive mold cost helps you make informed decisions about tooling investment. A simple prototype mold might cost $2,000, while a complex high-production multi-cavity mold can exceed $200,000.
Mold size and weight: Larger molds require more steel, more machining time, and larger injection molding machines for sampling. Mold size is determined by part dimensions plus runner and gating layout.
Cavity count: Each additional cavity adds cost for machining, but cost per cavity decreases as cavity count increases. A 1-cavity mold costs $X per cavity, a 4-cavity mold costs approximately 0.6X per cavity.
Steel grade: P20 steel costs approximately $5-8/kg, H13 costs $10-15/kg, 420SS costs $12-20/kg. The difference in steel cost between a P20 mold and H13 mold for the same size can be 2-3x.
Complexity: Number of side actions, lifters, core pulls, and unscrewing mechanisms significantly impact cost. Each moving component adds design time, machining, assembly, and potential maintenance.
Simple prototype mold (single cavity, P20, no side action): $2,000-$8,000. Production mold (single cavity, H13, basic cooling): $10,000-$30,000. Multi-cavity (4-8 cavities, hot runner, H13): $30,000-$80,000. Complex high-production (16+ cavities, valve gates, fully hardened): $80,000-$250,000+.