Custom Injection Molding RFQ (Request for Quote) Template
An RFQ that leaves out volume, material or tolerance gets back quotes that cannot be compared. A good molding RFQ gives every supplier the same information and asks for the same answers. This template builds that document, ready for Word or PDF.
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Custom Injection Molding RFQ Request Template
Request for Quote
RFQ number: RFQ-2026-0117 Requested by: Northline Appliance Co. Buyer contact: A. Rivera, Sourcing Engineer Quote due: 2026-11-15
Please quote the part below, including tooling and piece price at the volumes listed. If any requirement is unclear, list your assumptions in the quote.
Part Information
Part: PN 48213 Rev C Description: Housing cover for a countertop appliance. Cosmetic outer surface, snap fits on two sides, two screw bosses. Material: Polypropylene copolymer, UL94 HB, color black Estimated part weight: 210 g Surface finish: VDI 3400 texture
Critical tolerances: Overall length 320 +/- 0.4 mm. Snap-fit gap 1.2 +/- 0.1 mm. Boss ID 3.8 +0.1/-0 mm.
Volume and Program
Annual volume: 250,000 per year Program life: 5 years Tooling ownership: Customer owned Target T1 samples: 2027-02-15
Please quote piece price at the annual volume and at one tier above and below.
Quality, Delivery and Packaging
Quality requirements: ISO 9001 certified molder. PPAP level 3. Capability Cpk 1.33 on critical dimensions. Certificate of conformance and resin lot traceability with each shipment.
Delivery and packaging: Weekly releases, FOB molder. Corrugated cartons with dividers, 100 per carton, palletized.
Information Requested From the Molder
| Item | Supplier response |
|---|---|
| Number of cavities proposed and mold type (cold or hot runner) | |
| Mold cost, steel type and expected tool life (shots) | |
| Piece price at annual volume and two other tiers | |
| Cycle time assumption and press tonnage | |
| Resin price basis and pass-through terms | |
| Tooling lead time and T1 sample date | |
| Secondary operations, assembly, packaging included | |
| Quality certifications and capability evidence | |
| Payment terms and tooling payment schedule | |
| Assumptions and exclusions |
Contact and Approval
Attach the 3D model, 2D drawing with critical dimensions identified, and any specifications. This template is a starting point, not legal advice. Add your own confidentiality terms or reference an existing NDA before sharing drawings.
Quote comparison from your inbox
Optional: talk through an agent that extracts molder quote data into a comparison table in your ERP.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use it
Fill in the part information, volumes, tolerances, quality needs and delivery terms. Pick the surface finish and tooling ownership. The generated RFQ includes a response table that asks every molder for the details you will need to compare: cavities, mold cost, cycle time, resin basis, lead time and exclusions. Attach the CAD model and drawing and send the same package to every supplier so quotes line up line by line.
What molders need to price accurately
A molder prices tool cost from part size, complexity, cavity count and steel, and piece price from resin, cycle time and press size. The most important inputs are annual volume and program life, which drive the cavity count, material and wall thickness, which drive cycle time, critical tolerances, which drive tool precision and inspection cost, and surface finish, which drives mold finishing cost. Missing any of these produces a padded quote or a later change order.
- Volume at three tiers so you see the price curve
- Critical-to-function dimensions marked on the drawing
- Quality level: PPAP level, Cpk, certificates, traceability
- Tooling ownership, so amortization is not hidden
Comparing the quotes
Normalize quotes before choosing. Compare mold cost with cavity count and expected tool life, compare piece price at the same volume tier, and confirm which prices include packaging and secondary operations. Look at the cycle time and resin price basis, which tell you how the supplier arrived at the number. The cheapest tool with a long cycle and no tool life guarantee often costs more over the program.
Common mistakes
Sending only a STEP file without a drawing of critical dimensions, quoting a single volume, omitting the quality plan, and not stating who owns the tool. Also remember lead time: a tool needs design for manufacturability feedback before steel is cut, so ask for a DFM review with the quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What volumes should an RFQ ask for?
Give the expected annual volume and ask for pricing at one tier above and one below. Quote curves show where a higher-cavity tool pays back, and they protect you if demand forecasts change.
Should I specify tooling ownership in the RFQ?
Yes. Whether you or the molder owns the mold changes tool pricing, amortization and who bears maintenance and storage. State the preference, or ask for quotes both ways so you can compare.
How much detail on tolerances is needed?
Mark only the critical-to-function dimensions and give a general tolerance for the rest. Tight tolerances on every feature raise tool and inspection cost. Plastic parts shrink and warp, so be realistic and consult the molder at the DFM stage.
Do I need an NDA first?
For proprietary designs, it is common to sign a mutual NDA before sharing models and drawings. Reference the agreement in the RFQ or attach your standard terms. This template does not provide legal advice.
If RFQs, quotes and POs live in your ERP, Netray can build an agent that reads incoming molder quotes and normalizes them against your template for side-by-side comparison.
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