What Information Should You Send for an Injection Moulding RFQ?

Getting an accurate injection moulding quotation depends almost entirely on the quality of the information you provide. A vague RFQ produces a vague quote — wide price ranges, assumptions that may not match your requirements, and a back-and-forth that delays your project.

This guide covers what to include in an injection moulding RFQ, why each piece of information matters, and how to prepare your package so a manufacturer can respond with a meaningful, comparable quotation.

Why a Complete RFQ Matters

Injection moulding involves two distinct cost elements: tooling (the upfront mold fabrication cost) and piece price (the per-unit production cost). Both are sensitive to the details of your part and your program.

A manufacturer quoting without complete information will either make assumptions — which may not reflect your actual requirements — or come back with a list of questions before they can proceed. Either outcome costs time. A well-prepared RFQ package gets you to a real number faster, and makes it easier to compare quotations from multiple suppliers on a like-for-like basis.

The sections below cover each element of a complete RFQ package.

1. Engineering Drawings (2D)

A dimensioned 2D engineering drawing is the foundation of any injection moulding quote. It should include:

• All critical dimensions with tolerances called out
• Material specification (resin type and grade, or a performance specification if the material is not yet finalised)
• Surface finish callouts — which surfaces are cosmetic, which are functional, which are hidden
• Any GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) requirements
• Part number, revision level, and drawing date

The drawing tells the manufacturer what the part needs to be, not just what it looks like. Without it, any quotation is an estimate at best.

If your drawings are still in progress, a preliminary discussion is still worthwhile — a DFM (design for manufacturability) review early in the process can identify issues before tooling is committed, saving significant cost and time later.

2. 3D CAD File

A 3D CAD file — ideally in STEP format (.stp or .step), which is universally compatible — allows the manufacturer to assess part geometry in detail: wall thickness, draft angles, undercuts, and features that affect tooling complexity and cost.

STEP is the preferred format because it is neutral and can be opened by any CAD or CAM system. If you can only provide a native format (SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, etc.), confirm with the manufacturer that they can work with it before sending.

The 3D file and the 2D drawing should be consistent. Discrepancies between them — which are common when files are updated at different times — cause confusion and delay. If there is a conflict, the 2D drawing with tolerances is typically treated as the controlling document.

3. Material Specification

Specifying the material is one of the most important inputs to an injection moulding quote. Material affects:

• Tooling design — different resins have different shrink rates, which affects cavity dimensions and gate design
• Processing parameters — melt temperature, injection pressure, and cooling time vary significantly between materials
• Piece price — resin cost varies widely, from commodity polypropylene to engineering-grade PEEK

If you have a specific resin grade in mind (e.g. BASF Ultramid A3WG6 for a glass-filled nylon application), specify it. If you have a performance requirement but are open to material selection (e.g. "impact-resistant, UV-stable, suitable for outdoor use"), state the requirements and let the manufacturer recommend options.

Common engineering plastics and their typical applications:

• ABS — consumer electronics, automotive interiors, enclosures
• Polypropylene (PP) — packaging, automotive, living hinges, medical
• Polycarbonate (PC) — optical clarity, impact resistance, safety equipment
• PC/ABS blend — automotive and electronics where both toughness and processability matter
• Nylon (PA6, PA66) — structural components, gears, under-hood automotive
• POM (Acetal/Delrin) — precision mechanical parts, low-friction applications
• TPE/TPU — soft-touch overmoulding, seals, flexible components

For a deeper look at material selection, see our plastic injection moulding guide.

4. Annual Volume and Initial Order Quantity

Volume is one of the most significant drivers of both tooling design and piece price. Provide:

• Annual volume estimate — even a rough range (e.g. "5,000–10,000 units per year") is more useful than nothing
• Initial order quantity — this may differ significantly from annual volume, particularly for new product launches
• Program duration — how many years do you expect to run this part?

Volume affects tooling decisions in several ways. Higher annual volumes may justify a multi-cavity tool (two or four cavities per shot) to reduce piece price, at the cost of higher upfront tooling investment. Very low volumes may be better served by a single-cavity aluminium prototype tool rather than a full production steel tool.

If your volumes are uncertain — as they often are for new products — provide a range and flag the uncertainty. A good manufacturer will quote for multiple scenarios or advise on the most appropriate tooling approach given the range.

5. Target Timeline

Tooling lead time is typically the longest element of an injection moulding program. A simple single-cavity tool may take three to four weeks from drawing approval to first shots. A complex multi-cavity or family tool can take eight to twelve weeks or more.

Providing your target production start date — or the date by which you need first production parts — allows the manufacturer to assess whether your timeline is achievable and flag any constraints early. If your timeline is tight, it is better to know at RFQ stage than after tooling has started.

Be specific about what the date means: is it the date you need T1 (first trial) samples? The date you need production-quality parts for a product launch? The date you need to ship finished goods? Each of these implies a different schedule working backwards through tooling, trials, and production.

6. Budget Indication (Optional but Useful)

You are not obliged to share your budget, and many buyers prefer not to. But if you have a tooling budget or a target piece price in mind, sharing it — even as a range — can save time.

A manufacturer who knows your tooling budget is constrained can advise upfront whether a single-cavity tool is more appropriate than a multi-cavity tool, or whether a prototype tool makes more sense than a production tool at this stage. Without that context, they may quote the technically optimal solution, which may not be the commercially appropriate one for your program.

If your budget is genuinely open, say so. It is more useful than leaving the question unanswered.

7. Tolerances

Standard injection moulding tolerances are typically ±0.1–0.2mm for general dimensions, depending on part size, material, and geometry. If your part has features that require tighter tolerances — mating surfaces, snap fits, press-fit inserts, optical surfaces — call them out explicitly on the drawing.

Tight tolerances affect tooling cost (more precise machining, more careful steel selection), cycle time (slower cooling to maintain dimensional stability), and potentially yield (tighter process windows mean more out-of-spec parts). A manufacturer needs to know about tight-tolerance requirements at RFQ stage, not after the tool is built.

If you are unsure what tolerances are achievable or appropriate for your application, ask. A DFM review can help identify which dimensions are genuinely critical and which can be relaxed without affecting function.

8. Surface Finish Requirements

Surface finish requirements affect both tooling cost and production process. Be specific about:

• Which surfaces are cosmetic (visible in the finished product) and which are non-cosmetic
• Required texture — smooth (SPI A1–A3 polish), semi-gloss, matte, or a specific texture standard (e.g. Mold-Tech MT-11010)
• Colour — RAL or Pantone reference, or a physical colour chip if colour matching is critical
• Secondary finishing — if the part will be painted, plated, or printed after moulding, this affects the surface preparation requirements and may affect material selection

Cosmetic surfaces require more careful tooling (higher polish grades, more controlled steel selection) and more careful production process management. Identifying cosmetic surfaces clearly at RFQ stage prevents misunderstandings about what standard the manufacturer is quoting to.

For parts that require secondary finishing — spray painting, pad printing, laser etching, or electroplating — include those requirements in the RFQ. A manufacturing partner who coordinates multiple processes can quote the complete program rather than just the moulding step.

9. Existing Tooling

If you have existing tooling from a previous supplier — whether it was paid for by you or amortised into piece price — clarify:

• Who owns the tooling — tooling ownership should be documented in your contract with the original supplier
• Where the tooling is currently located
• Its condition — number of shots, last maintenance, any known issues
• Whether it can be transferred — some suppliers place contractual restrictions on tooling transfer

Transferring existing tooling to a new manufacturer can save significant upfront cost, but it requires a tool audit and potentially refurbishment before production can resume. A manufacturer needs to know about existing tooling at RFQ stage to factor it into their quotation and timeline.

If you are unsure about tooling ownership, review your original purchase order or contract. Tooling paid for by the buyer is typically the buyer's property, but this should be confirmed in writing.

10. Quality and Regulatory Requirements

Quality requirements that are not stated at RFQ stage are often not priced into the quotation. Be explicit about:

• Required certifications — ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949 (automotive), ISO 13485 (medical devices), RoHS, REACH
• Material compliance — food contact, medical grade, flame retardancy (UL94 rating), RoHS/REACH compliance
• Inspection requirements — first article inspection (FAI), PPAP (for automotive), incoming inspection, dimensional reports
• Testing requirements — functional testing, environmental testing, mechanical testing
• Traceability requirements — lot traceability, material certifications, date coding on parts
• Packaging and labelling — if specific packaging or labelling is required for your supply chain

For regulated industries — automotive, medical, aerospace — these requirements can significantly affect tooling design, process documentation, and production cost. A manufacturer who is not informed of them at RFQ stage cannot price them accurately.

KEITEQ Direct holds ISO 9001:2015 certification. Our strategic plastics manufacturing partner holds IATF 16949 and ISO 13485, supporting automotive and medical device programs. See the About KEITEQ Direct page for full certification details.

Putting It Together: Your RFQ Package

A complete injection moulding RFQ package contains:

1. 2D engineering drawing — dimensioned, toleranced, with material and finish callouts
2. 3D CAD file — STEP format preferred
3. Material specification — resin grade or performance requirements
4. Volume information — annual volume estimate, initial order quantity, program duration
5. Target timeline — production start date and what it means
6. Budget indication — tooling budget and/or target piece price (optional)
7. Tolerance callouts — any dimensions tighter than standard moulding tolerances
8. Surface finish requirements — cosmetic surfaces, texture, colour, secondary finishing
9. Existing tooling details — if applicable
10. Quality and regulatory requirements — certifications, compliance, inspection, testing

Not every project will have all of these items fully defined at RFQ stage — particularly for new product development where some decisions are still in progress. In that case, provide what you have and flag what is still to be confirmed. A manufacturer can work with a partially complete package and identify what additional information is needed, but they need to know what is missing.

FAQ

What if my drawings are not finalised yet? A preliminary discussion is still worthwhile. Sharing a concept drawing or 3D model for a DFM review can identify design issues before tooling is committed — which is far less expensive than discovering them after the tool is cut. Contact us to arrange a preliminary review.

How long does it take to get a quotation? A straightforward single-component part with a complete drawing package can typically be quoted within a few business days. Complex multi-component assemblies, or parts with unusual material or tolerance requirements, may take longer. Providing a complete RFQ package upfront reduces back-and-forth and speeds the process.

Do I need to send physical samples? Not usually, at least not at RFQ stage. A 3D CAD file and 2D drawing are sufficient for most quotations. Physical samples become relevant during tooling trials and first article inspection, or if you need colour matching against an existing part.

What file formats do you accept? STEP (.stp, .step) is the preferred 3D format. PDF is preferred for 2D drawings. Native CAD formats (SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, NX) can usually be accommodated — confirm with us before sending.

Can you help with material selection? Yes. If you have a performance requirement but are not sure which material is appropriate, our engineering team can advise. Providing the application environment (temperature range, chemical exposure, mechanical loads, regulatory requirements) gives us what we need to make a recommendation.

What if I only need a prototype quantity? Prototype quantities can be produced from aluminium prototype tooling (lower cost, shorter lead time, limited shot life) or from production steel tooling if you intend to move to volume production. For very low quantities, CNC machining of plastic may be more economical than tooling. We can advise on the most appropriate approach for your volume and timeline.

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Ready to send your RFQ? Share your drawings, CAD files, and specifications with the KEITEQ Direct engineering team for a review and quotation. Submit your RFQ →