An injection molding quote that is only a piece price is not a quote. It is a number that hides cavity count, steel class, T-sample gates, and who pays for the first three revisions. OEMs who cannot read an injection molding quote pick the cheapest line and discover sliders, texture, and FAI as change orders.
This article is the buyer’s markup guide: which lines must exist, how to compare two China quotes, and which assumptions you should force into the RFQ so the numbers mean the same thing. For what to send, use how to request a quote from China.
Lines that must appear
| Line | Why it exists | Reject if missing |
|---|---|---|
| Mold / tooling | Steel, actions, hot runner, texture | Lumped with parts — cannot transfer |
| Piece price @ qty breaks | Amortization and setup | One price with no volume |
| Resin | Grade, color, who buys | “ABS included” with no grade |
| T0 / T1 / T2 | Debug and approval shots | “About 30 days” only — sample gates |
| Secondary ops | Print, weld, assembly, packing | Silent, then billed later — secondary ops |
| Incoterms + freight | Who owns risk | EXW vs DDP compared as equals |
Tool cost drivers: mold cost breakdown, steel class, hot vs cold runner, cavity count.
Assumptions that make two quotes incomparable
- SPI / texture: as-molded vs B-2 vs texture plaque
- Cavities: 1 vs 1+1 vs 4 — piece price lies if cavity count differs
- Regrind % and color: natural vs painted vs molded color
- FAI / CMM: included vs extra
- Tool life: 50k vs 500k shots is not the same steel
- MOQ of the first PO — MOQ guide
Write those into the RFQ: RFQ checklist. DFM comments are part of the quote, not a courtesy — DFM review.
How to compare without picking the lowest number
- Normalize currency, Incoterms, and quantity break
- Add estimated freight and duty to EXW quotes — TCO
- Score DFM quality: specific sliders, draft, and gate notes beat “OK to tool”
- Calendar: design freeze → steel → T0 → T1, not one blob — lead time
- Ownership and file deliverables in writing — ownership, IP protection
Red flags on a cheap quote
| Red flag | What happens later |
|---|---|
| No action count on an undercut part | Slider change order — undercuts |
| Aluminum priced as production life | Wear before SOP — aluminum vs steel |
| No sample dimensional report | Arguments at T1 with no baseline |
| Trading email, factory photos from another site | You cannot debug steel |
How Deuchi quotes
Deuchi splits tooling, piece price at stated breaks, resin assumptions, and T-sample scope. We would rather be the higher honest number than the lump sum that grows. Contract manufacturing and mold build are priced as separate lines when both apply.
FAQ
Should tool cost be amortized into piece price?
Only if you ask for it and lock ownership. Amortized quotes make transfer and dual-source harder.
Why is one quote 40% cheaper?
Usually fewer cavities, softer steel, no texture, or a trader. Ask them to mark assumptions on your RFQ sheet.
Do we pay for T1 revisions?
Factory errors should be on them. Design changes after freeze are yours. Write the split before steel is cut.
Is a 24-hour quote better?
Speed is good if DFM exists. A same-day number with no CAD comments is a guess.
Next step: Contact Deuchi with CAD, volume breaks, and finish so the quote lists the same assumptions you will use to compare others.