Your 3D CAD file

This is the big one. A 3D model tells us the part’s size, wall thickness, features, and how it will come out of the mold. STEP or IGES files work for almost everyone, and native files from SolidWorks or similar programs are fine too.

If certain dimensions really matter, add a 2D drawing with those tolerances called out.

How many parts you need

Volume shapes almost everything about the quote, including what kind of mold makes sense and how many parts it should produce per cycle. A mold built for 500 parts a year looks very different from one built for 500,000.

Give us a realistic range: your first order, what you expect per year, and your best-case number if things take off. And don’t worry if your numbers are small. We don’t have minimum order quantities, so a short run is a perfectly normal request here.

Your material, or what the part needs to survive

If you already know you want ABS or nylon, great. If you don’t, that’s common. Just tell us what the part has to handle:

From there we can recommend a resin that fits. If you want to do some homework first, our materials guide breaks down the most common options.

Which tolerances actually matter

Tight tolerances cost money, so holding every dimension to a tight spec drives up the price for no real benefit. Tell us which features are critical, like mating surfaces, snap fits, or holes that line up with other parts, and let the rest follow standard tolerances. That one step can make a noticeable difference in cost.

Color and surface finish

Is this part going to be seen by customers, or is it hidden inside a housing? Let us know:

• The color, plus a Pantone number or a physical sample if matching is important
• The surface texture you want (glossy, matte, textured grip, and so on)
• Which surfaces are cosmetic and need to look perfect

Your timeline

When do you need samples in hand? When does production need to start? A launch date or trade show deadline can change how the project gets planned, so tell us early. If you’re not sure the design is final, ask about prototyping first. It’s much cheaper to catch a problem at that stage than after the mold is made.

Anything that happens after molding

Some parts need more than just molding. Mention it if yours needs:

• Threaded inserts or other hardware
• Printing, labels, or logos
• Assembly with other components
• Special packaging
• Industry requirements or certifications it has to meet