Injection Moulding Cost in India: Tooling, Part & Hidden Costs
- Jan 20
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
For individuals or companies that have never dealt with injection moulding before, determining the cost can be confusing. Tooling prices vary widely, part costs change with size and quantity, and quotations from different manufacturers often look completely different.
In this article, we aim to give you a ballpark idea of what to expect when planning an injection moulded product in India. While exact costs can only be confirmed through a detailed quotation, understanding the cost structure will help you make better decisions early on.
What Are the Costs Involved in Injection Moulding?
Injection moulding costs are broadly divided into two parts:
1. Tooling Cost (One‑Time Cost)
This is the cost of designing and manufacturing the injection mould (tool). It is paid once and reused for the life of the tool.
2. Part Cost (Per Component)
This is the cost incurred for manufacturing each individual plastic part once the mould is ready.
Factors That Influence Injection Mould Tool Cost
Several variables determine how expensive a mould will be:
Tool complexity
Moulds are commonly differentiated as 2-plate or 3-plate moulds which is a huge factor in tool cost. The presence of side cores, negative features, and undercuts also increases the tool complexity and cost.
Prices here can only be decided after review by a mould designer
Tool size
These prices are indicative and assume a relatively simple mould without complex slides or tight tolerances.
A simple 250*250 mm mould costs ₹80 k to ₹120 k
A simple 350*350 mm mould costs ₹150 k to ₹180 k
Tool material – P20, H13, or hardened steels affect tool life and price
H13 is costlier and more time consuming than P20. Heat treatment causes distortions which have to be corrected with machining.
H13 has a much longer life cycle compared to P20.
Number of cavities – Multi‑cavity moulds increase upfront cost but reduce part cost
increasing the number of cavities increases size of the mould and it's cost.
Surface finish – Polishing, texturing, or cosmetic finishes add time and expense
Tolerances – Tighter tolerances demand higher precision and better machining
Type of runner system
Hot runner systems significantly increase tooling cost but reduce material wastage and cycle time.
As a rough estimate, hot runner systems can add ₹40,000–₹50,000 per drop, with an additional ₹80,000–₹1,00,000 for multi-drop systems, depending on brand and configuration.
To understand whether a hot runner system is worth the additional investment, read our complete comparison of hot runner vs cold runner systems.
Factors Affecting Per‑Part Injection Moulding Cost
Once the tool is ready, the cost of each part depends on:
Raw material cost – ABS, PP, PC, Nylon, etc.
Prices listed are typical Indian market rates at the time of writing and may vary by grade, supplier, and order quantity.
Nylon 6 30% GF - ₹140-₹160/kg
HIPS - ₹100-₹120/kg
ABS H121 -₹155-₹180/Kg
PMMA - ₹190-₹220/Kg
Material selection significantly affects cost, strength, and part performance. Read our detailed breakdown of injection moulding materials to choose the right polymer for your application.
Machine hourly rate – Depends on tonnage(machine size) and machine type.
Presence of inserts – Over-moulding on metal part or thread requires manual insertion at the start of every cycle thereby increasing labour cost and cycle time.
Cycle time
Faster cycles reduce per‑part cost.
To achieve faster cycle time
mould must be designed with efficient cooling system
the moving parts in the mould must be made with higher precision.
Labour and electricity – Varies with automation,plant efficiency, electricity cost and location of the plant.
Rejection and wastage – Scrap (runners) percentage impacts final pricing.
Volume: The Single Biggest Factor in Injection Moulding Economics
Injection moulding benefits heavily from economies of scale. As production volume increases, the tooling cost is distributed over more parts, significantly reducing the effective cost per component.
Example: Tool Cost = ₹4,00,000
Scenario 1: Total Volume = 500 Parts
Tooling cost per part: ₹800
Part manufacturing cost: ₹40
Total cost per part: ₹840
At this cost level, injection moulding usually does not make financial sense unless performance, consistency, or quality is more important than cost.
If you are planning smaller production runs, read our detailed guide on Low Volume Injection Moulding in India for Startups to understand when tooling investment makes sense and when alternatives may be better.
Scenario 2: Total Volume = 50,000 Parts
Tooling cost per part: ₹8
Part manufacturing cost: ₹40
Total cost per part: ₹48
At this volume, injection moulding becomes economically reasonable for many products.
Scenario 3: Total Volume = 5,00,000 Parts
Tooling cost per part: ₹0.8
Part manufacturing cost: ₹40
Total cost per part: ₹40.8
At high volumes, tooling cost becomes almost negligible, making injection moulding extremely cost‑effective.
Conclusion: The higher your production volume, the less of a burden tooling cost becomes.
Hidden Costs Associated With Injection Moulding
Many first‑time buyers overlook additional expenses such as:
Tool modification and engineering change costs
While the best practice is to finish all changes before mould making, sometimes it is inevitable and changes may be required.
During such times most mould makers will try to achieve desired results with least changes possible
However some changes force the mould makers to replace the entire core/cavity or both which is a costly endeavour
Gan Tools recommends you to get your design 3D printed and finalised before starting mould making
Trial runs and sampling
Most mould makers provide samples after the tool is completed to provide proof of work.
Further samples are charged based on the material and mould maker
Packaging requirements
Packaging requirements are often decided late in the project but can have a significant impact on final landed cost, especially for cosmetic or regulated parts.
In practice, packaging decisions should be made early, as changing packaging later often increases both cost and rejection risk.
Packaging Cost as % of Part Cost
Product Type | Packaging Cost % of Part Cost |
Industrial / hidden parts | 2 – 5% |
Consumer-visible parts | 5 – 12% |
Electronics / medical | 10 – 20% |
GST and applicable taxes
GST and Applicable taxes ( for import etc ) must be considered.
Logistics and transportation
Moulds are heavy (often starting from 200 kg) and needs to be transported with care which adds to the costs.
Tool maintenance over long production runs.
Planning for these costs early avoids unpleasant surprises later.
Why Do Injection Moulding Quotes Vary So Much Between Manufacturers?
In most cases, per‑part manufacturing costs remain similar across vendors when mould design, cavity count, and material are comparable. However, mould‑making costs can vary significantly due to:
Manufacturing capability – Vendors may outsource work if the mould exceeds their in‑house capabilities.
Quality standards – Experienced designers invest more where it improves tool life and reliability.
Experience with similar parts – Prior experience reduces design risk and costly rework.
Presence of a manufacturing unit – Toolmakers with in‑house moulding facilities may reduce tooling margins to secure part production.
Final Thoughts
The fastest and most reliable way to determine your actual injection moulding cost is to share your part drawing, 3D model, or sample with us. All enquiries are treated confidentially, and early technical input often leads to significant cost savings.
Before finalising your tooling approach, you may also want to explore our detailed articles on:
Email: development@gantools.com
Website: www.gantools.com
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