Custom Mould Cost Estimator: Parts, Cavities and the Unscrewing Penalty
Enter how many parts the product has, the largest part size, cavities and finish; the estimator returns a tooling band and the effect on unit cost.
Designed by Joe Joo · 8PCK, Shantou
Part count, not size, drives a mould budget: every part is a separate mould, trial and tolerance stack.
Want a Person to Check It?
Send the numbers and we reply with a written quotation, lead time and a sample plan — usually within a few hours, Mon–Sat.
The Formula, the Assumptions, and Where It Stops
- Base band per part: small USD 1,900–3,700 · medium 3,200–6,400 · large 4,700–9,500.
- Multiply by part count, then by the cavity multiplier (1x / 1.6x / 2.6x).
- Add a plating jig allowance where a metal finish is specified.
- Add 30–45 % where a thread must be unscrewed rather than stripped.
Assumptions. One cavity per part unless stated; standard steel and polishing; no hot runner.
Standards we work to. ISO 9001:2015 (quality system, cert PCC85724Q01277R1S) · EU 10/2011 (plastic food-contact, migration report E2032) · RoHS (PE B-R01612E2033, PET B-R201133464) · ISO 4180 (packaging for transport). The calculator is a planning tool: the approved drawing and the migration report decide the final specification.
Where it does not apply. It is a budget band. A drawing review sets the real number, and a complex seal or an off-axis thread can move it further.
Send the Numbers, Get a Person
Reply with the result above and we come back with a written quotation, packing data and a sample plan — within one business day.
Worked examples
Two single-part bottles and one four-part pack, run through the same formula the calculator uses. Bands only — the drawing decides the real number.
| Input | Tooling band | Tooling per unit |
|---|---|---|
| 30 ml, 1-part, small band, 1 cav | USD 2,250–4,000 | USD 0.64/pc at 5,000 |
| 100 ml, 1-part, medium band, 2 cav | USD 5,750–11,000 | USD 1.68/pc at 5,000 |
| 50 ml, 4-part, small band, 1 cav | USD 10,000–21,500 | USD 3.13/pc at 5,000 |
Why Part Count Dominates
Every part is a separate mould, a separate trial, and a separate tolerance stack. Four small parts cost roughly four times one part — the size of the part matters less than how many there are.
The Unscrewing Penalty
If a lid has an internal thread it cannot be stripped off the core; the mould needs a rotating mechanism, which is where a 30–45 % jump comes from.
Questions About This Tool
What does a custom bottle mould cost?
One cavity, one part: USD 1,850–9,500 depending on size and thread. A four-part assembly is typically USD 10,000–37,000 depending on part size.
Can I start with one cavity?
Yes, and for under 10,000 pcs a year it is the right choice — a second cavity rarely pays back.
Is tooling refundable?
No. It is a one-off cost, amortised over the first run.
Didn't Solve It?
Tell us what you are trying to pack and we will tell you what fits, what it costs and how long it takes. No forms if you would rather just message.