RFQ preparation
Injection molding RFQ template for plastic parts
A clear injection molding RFQ helps buyers receive a more practical tooling and part cost estimate. Missing information can lead to broad assumptions, slow replies, or quotes that are difficult to compare.
Use this template when sending drawings for custom plastic injection molded parts. You can copy the email structure, prepare the file package, and mark any open decisions before submitting the quote form.
Template fields
What to include in the RFQ
| RFQ field | What to include | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Part name and use | Product name, function, industry, assembly role, and whether the surface is cosmetic or functional. | Helps judge material, tolerance, surface finish, and inspection priority. |
| Files | 3D CAD, 2D drawings, photos, sample reference, revision number, and any assembly files. | CAD supports tooling review; drawings define dimensions, tolerances, and inspection needs. |
| Material | Exact grade, material family, resin target, or functional requirements if the grade is not final. | Material affects shrinkage, mold design, processing, appearance, and part performance. |
| Quantity | Prototype quantity, first order quantity, annual forecast, and expected project life if known. | Determines tooling route, cavity discussion, production planning, and unit cost direction. |
| Surface and color | Color code, texture, gloss, visible surface, painting, printing, logo, or reference photo. | Surface requirements affect mold finish, sample review, cosmetic standard, and quality checks. |
| Tolerance | Critical dimensions, mating parts, fit requirements, inspection method, and drawing tolerance notes. | Tight tolerances can change mold design, inspection planning, and sample correction work. |
| Special process | Insert molding, overmolding, assembly, welding, threaded inserts, printing, packing, or secondary finishing. | Additional processes affect quote scope, trial planning, and production responsibility. |
| Delivery and destination | Destination country, target sample timing, target production timing, shipping preference, and packing notes. | Helps plan export packing, communication priority, and realistic schedule discussion. |
Copy and paste
RFQ email structure
Project name: Part name: Application / use: Attached files: 3D CAD / 2D drawing / photos / sample reference Material requirement: Color and finish: Critical dimensions or tolerance: First order quantity: Annual forecast: Mold life or production expectation: Special process: insert molding / overmolding / assembly / printing / packing Inspection requirement: Destination country: Target sample date: Target production date: Questions or concerns:
If you attach large files, email is often the easiest route. If you only have early drawings or photos, mark which details are fixed and which details need DFM or material review.
Early projects
If some information is not final
You can write “need advice” for material, finish, mold life, tolerance, or packing if the project is still early. A practical supplier should separate firm requirements from open decisions and explain which items affect tooling cost or sample risk.
Describe strength, heat, flexibility, chemical exposure, appearance, or regulatory needs.
Provide a first order range and possible annual forecast so tooling assumptions are visible.
Send reference photos or state whether each surface is visible, functional, or hidden after assembly.
Identify the dimensions that control assembly, sealing, snap fit, thread fit, or customer inspection.
Quote review
Common RFQ mistakes and better inputs
| Mistake | Risk | Better approach |
|---|---|---|
| Only sending a picture | The quote may be too rough for tooling and production decisions. | Add dimensions, material, quantity, and function, or send a sample for review. |
| No quantity forecast | The supplier cannot judge cavity count, mold-life assumptions, or unit cost direction. | Give first order quantity, possible annual volume, and whether the project is trial or production. |
| No critical dimensions | Important fit features may be underquoted or under-inspected. | Mark assembly, sealing, screw, snap, datum, and tolerance-critical areas on the drawing. |
| No surface standard | Cosmetic expectations may be discovered too late during sampling. | Specify visible surfaces, texture, color, polish, logo, printing, or reference samples. |
| Comparing quotes with different assumptions | A low quote may exclude inspection, packing, inserts, correction work, or production mold quality. | Ask suppliers to list assumptions, exclusions, tooling scope, sample support, and inspection scope clearly. |
File package
Files that help quoting
3D files
STEP, STP, X_T, SLDPRT, IGS, or IGES files for tooling and DFM review.
2D drawings
PDF drawings with dimensions, tolerances, material notes, finish notes, and revision control.
Reference evidence
Photos of existing samples, assembly, visible surfaces, and defects to avoid.
Production notes
Inspection level, packing standard, label requirements, carton limits, destination, and timing notes.
Supplier response
What the supplier should clarify back
A useful quote should not only return a price. It should explain the assumptions behind the tooling route, part cost, sampling plan, inspection scope, and any open technical risks. This lets buyers compare quotes on the same basis.
If a quote is much lower than the others, check whether it excludes DFM review, trial samples, mold correction, texture work, insert sourcing, assembly, inspection records, export packing, or production support.
Ask whether the quote assumes prototype tooling, production tooling, family mold, single cavity, multi-cavity, or later cavity changes.
Confirm whether T1 samples, measurement records, photos, short-run samples, and reasonable mold adjustment discussion are included.
Clarify dimensional checks, appearance checks, packing checks, critical dimensions, and whether an inspection report can be prepared for shipment review.
Ask the supplier to flag thin walls, sink risk, warp risk, tight tolerance risk, material uncertainty, cosmetic surfaces, and assembly-fit concerns before tooling.
Related resources
Useful pages before sending an RFQ
These pages help buyers prepare design, material, tolerance, sample review, inspection, and supplier review details before sending files.
FAQ
RFQ template questions buyers ask
What should I include in an injection molding RFQ?
Include CAD, 2D drawings, material, quantity, color, finish, critical dimensions, special processes, packing needs, destination country, and timing targets if available.
Can I send an RFQ before all details are final?
Yes. Mark open items clearly and describe the function, use environment, assembly requirements, and quantity range so review can separate fixed requirements from advice items.
Why does a supplier ask for CAD and 2D drawings?
CAD helps review mold structure, part geometry, wall thickness, draft, gates, and tooling approach. A drawing records tolerances, critical dimensions, materials, and inspection requirements.
How can buyers compare injection molding quotes fairly?
Compare tooling scope, cavity assumptions, steel and mold-life assumptions, sample support, inspection scope, packing, secondary operations, and excluded items instead of only headline price.
Ready to send files?
Send drawings for injection molding quote review
Attach CAD, 2D drawings, material, quantity, color, finish, tolerance notes, sample expectations, inspection needs, packing requirements, and destination country.
Ready to check your plastic part?
Send drawings for an injection molding quote
For faster review, include CAD files or photos, material, quantity, color, finish, destination country, and any critical fit or appearance requirements.