Dear Valued Clients,
As a professional silicone product manufacturer, we often receive questions about quotations for custom molding: "Why is there such a big difference in mold costs?" and "How does mold size affect product unit price?" Today, we'll explain these issues in detail to help you better understand the cost structure of custom production.
1. Why Do Mold Costs Vary?
Mold Size Determines Material Usage
Larger molds require more steel, naturally increasing material costs. A mold for large silicone gaskets may use hundreds of kilograms of steel, while a small button mold may only need a few kilograms.
Structural Complexity Affects Processing Difficulty
Simple structures: Molds for flat washers and other simple products are easier to machine
Complex structures: Products with undercuts, multi-directional demolding, or precise textures require complex mold structures
Special requirements: Effects like transparency or ultra-thin walls increase mold manufacturing difficulty
Mold Lifespan Determines Steel Grade
Standard molds: Suitable for small batch production, using ordinary steel
High-life molds: Use premium steel and special heat treatment, suitable for long-term mass production
Surface Finish Requirements
Costs vary significantly between standard polishing, mirror polishing, and special texture treatments (like leather grain or matte finishes).
Mold Auxiliary Systems
Hot runner systems, multi-cavity designs, and automatic ejection devices all increase mold costs but improve production efficiency.
2. How Does Mold Size Affect Unit Pricing?
Direct Factors:
Output per cycle: Larger molds can often accommodate more cavities, producing more parts per cycle and reducing per-unit costs
Material utilization: Optimized designs can reduce silicone waste
Production efficiency: Although high-automation molds require greater initial investment, they lower labor costs long-term
Indirect Factors:
Production cycle: Large molds for complex products may require longer cooling times
Equipment requirements: Large molds need higher-tonnage vulcanizing machines
Yield rate: Precision molds typically deliver more consistent product quality
3. Our Professional Recommendations
Choose Mold Grade Based on Order Quantity: Opt for economical molds for trial production, invest in high-quality molds for long-term mass production
Consider Product Lifecycle: For long-term products, amortized mold costs become negligible
Optimize Designs to Reduce Costs: Our engineering team can provide design optimization suggestions to maintain functionality while reducing costs
Clear Mold Ownership: We guarantee exclusive client ownership of molds and provide secure storage services
4. Why Choose Our Custom Services?
15 years of silicone mold manufacturing experience
German-imported CNC machining centers ensure mold precision
One-stop service from design optimization to mass production
Transparent cost accounting system with no hidden fees
We understand each custom project is a unique investment. We hope this explanation helps you make more informed decisions. For specific quotations or consultations, please contact our sales engineering team—we'll provide the most cost-effective solutions tailored to your needs.