What Engineers Should Include in an Injection Molding RFQ

Short answer: a 3D model, a 2D print with tolerances called out, your material requirement, and real volume numbers turn a quote around in days instead of a back-and-forth that takes weeks.

The model

Send a native or neutral 3D file (STEP is the most universally usable) rather than only a PDF or a 2D drawing. A model lets us evaluate moldability — wall thickness, draft, undercuts — before we ever quote tooling. If you only have a 2D drawing, tell us; we can still quote, but expect more back-and-forth to confirm geometry.

The print, with real tolerances

A 2D print with GD&T or at least called-out critical tolerances tells us which dimensions actually matter. Without it, we either assume a generic tolerance (which may be tighter, and more expensive, than you actually need) or we have to ask — which costs a quoting cycle. If most of the part is non-critical except for two or three features, say so; it changes both cost and inspection planning.

Material

Name a specific resin and grade if you have one, or describe the functional requirement (chemical exposure, temperature range, impact resistance, regulatory need, cosmetic finish) if you don't. "Similar to ABS but needs to handle outdoor UV exposure" is more useful to us than no material information at all, and lets us propose real candidates instead of guessing.

Quantity — annual volume and initial order

Tooling class, cavitation, and pricing all depend on real volume, not an optimistic hope. Tell us your honest estimated annual quantity and your initial order quantity separately — they're often different, and both numbers matter. Underestimating volume risks under-building a tool that wears out early; overestimating risks paying for tooling capacity you'll never use.

Existing tooling status

Tell us plainly whether this is a new part with no tooling yet, or whether tooling already exists somewhere else that needs to transfer. These are different conversations — a transfer needs incoming tool inspection and validation on our equipment before it goes into production; a new part needs a full tool design and build cycle. See Tool Transfer, Repair & Modification if that applies to you.

Target date and any required documentation

A target production date lets us tell you honestly whether it's realistic given tool build lead time. If your program requires specific certifications or documentation (material traceability, first-article reports, regulated-industry paperwork), say so up front — it affects both quoting and process planning, not just final paperwork.

Secondary operations

If the part needs machining, painting or powder coating, pad printing, or assembly after molding, include that in the RFQ rather than as a follow-up question later — it's often more efficient (and cheaper) to plan those steps into the original quote.

Putting it together

Our Request a Quote form is built around exactly this information. If you're missing something — no 3D model yet, volume still uncertain — submit anyway and note what's pending; we'd rather start the conversation than wait for a perfect RFQ that never gets sent.