Price Ranges by Product Type and Cavity Count
Yogurt cup molds (150ml, PP, 0.5mm wall): 4-cavity $25,000-40,000, 8-cavity $40,000-60,000, 12-cavity $55,000-80,000, 16-cavity $70,000-100,000. Food container molds (500ml-1000ml, PP): 4-cavity $30,000-45,000, 6-cavity $40,000-60,000, 8-cavity $55,000-75,000. Sauce cup molds (30ml-120ml, PP/PS): 16-cavity $30,000-45,000, 24-cavity $40,000-55,000, 32-cavity $50,000-70,000. Milk tea cup molds (500ml, PP): 8-cavity $40,000-55,000, 12-cavity $55,000-75,000. Yogurt pail molds (1L-2L, PP): 2-cavity $25,000-40,000, 4-cavity $35,000-55,000. IML margarine container molds (250ml-500ml, PP): 4-cavity $35,000-55,000, 6-cavity $50,000-70,000, 8-cavity $60,000-85,000. Tableware molds (plates, bowls): 16-cavity $25,000-40,000, 24-cavity $35,000-50,000, 32-cavity $45,000-60,000. All prices are for Chinese manufacturers including HWAMDA. These prices include valve gate hot runner systems, optimized cooling designs, and 3 mold trials (T0, T1, T2) as standard. Custom features such as stack mold configuration, IML vacuum channels, or special surface textures add to the base price according to complexity. All HWAMDA mold prices are quoted FOB factory with international shipping arranged separately based on destination port and freight terms selected by the customer.
Key Specs
- •Yogurt cup molds (150ml, PP, 0.5mm wall): 4-cavity $25,000-40,000, 8-cavity $40,000-60,000, 12-cavity $55,000-80,000, 16-cavity $70,000-100,000.
High-speed injection unit with linear guides
What Drives Mold Cost
Cavity count is the primary cost driver—each additional cavity requires a separate set of core and cavity inserts, cooling circuits, ejection components, and hot runner drops. The hot runner system typically represents 25-35% of total mold cost. Valve gate hot runners cost 30-50% more than thermal (open) gate systems but are essential for cosmetic parts and IML containers. Steel grade selection affects cost significantly. S136 (premium stainless) costs 2-3 times more than P20 steel but is required for mirror polish and corrosion resistance in food packaging molds. Cooling system complexity—including beryllium copper inserts, conformal cooling channels, and multi-circuit temperature control—adds $3,000-8,000 per mold. Surface treatment requirements (texturing, polishing, coating) add $2,000-5,000. The product geometry itself matters: containers with undercuts, snap-fit lids, or thin ribs require slides, lifters, or collapsing cores that add $5,000-15,000. Part complexity also affects machining time—cylindrical containers like yogurt cups are faster to machine than rectangular food containers with corners, ribs, and snap-fit features requiring EDM finishing.
Chinese vs European Mold Pricing
European thin-wall mold pricing typically runs 2-3 times higher than Chinese equivalents. An 8-cavity yogurt cup mold from a premium European builder (Schottli, HAIDLMAIR) costs $120,000-180,000 compared to HWAMDA's $40,000-60,000. A 6-cavity food container mold from European sources costs $100,000-150,000 versus $40,000-60,000 from HWAMDA. The price gap is driven by labor cost differences, not quality gaps. HWAMDA uses the same premium steels, comparable CNC machining technology, and proven hot runner brands. The engineering and trial process is equally rigorous. For the same 8-cavity yogurt cup mold budget of $120,000, a customer can purchase 2 complete HWAMDA molds (8-cavity + 12-cavity) or one HWAMDA mold plus the complete IML automation system. This cost advantage is the primary reason leading packaging manufacturers in Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Africa source molds from China. For budget comparison purposes, Chinese mold pricing represents 40-60% of European equivalent pricing while delivering comparable production performance for standard thin-wall packaging applications.
Key Specs
- •For budget comparison purposes, Chinese mold pricing represents 40-60% of European equivalent pricing while delivering comparable production performance for standard thin-wall packaging applications.
Servo-hydraulic drive system with energy recovery
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Hidden Costs to Watch For
Hot runner spare parts kits ($3,000-8,000) should be ordered with the mold to avoid production stoppages waiting for parts. Mold transportation and customs duties can add $2,000-5,000 depending on destination, mold weight (500-3,000 kg), and import regulations. Mold trials at the supplier's facility add $1,000-3,000 per trial for machine time and material if not included in the mold price. Mold modifications after T0/T1 trials are common and may or may not be included in the quoted price—clarify this before ordering. Container weight adjustment (adding or removing material) typically requires cavity machining at $500-2,000 per modification. Design changes requested after mold steel is ordered incur restocking and re-machining charges. HWAMDA includes 3 mold trials (T0, T1, T2) and minor modifications in the standard mold price. Major design changes post-approval are quoted separately. HWAMDA includes three mold trials and minor modifications in the standard mold price, making the total cost predictable without the surprises that budget-priced molds often deliver.
How to Get Accurate Quotes
To receive an accurate mold quotation from HWAMDA or any supplier, provide: complete 2D drawings or 3D CAD models (STEP/IGS format) of the container, target wall thickness and material specification (PP grade, MFI), target cavity count and cycle time, hot runner preference (valve gate or thermal), surface finish requirements (mirror polish, texture, SPI class), annual production volume for mold life specification, and any IML or automation requirements. HWAMDA provides DFM (Design for Manufacturability) review within 5 business days at no charge, which includes detailed quotation, recommended modifications for manufacturability, and preliminary mold layout. Request quotations from 2-3 qualified suppliers for comparison, but ensure you are comparing equivalent specifications—the cheapest quote often excludes hot runner costs, trial fees, or uses lower-grade steel. HWAMDA quotes include all components and 3 trials as standard. Request quotations from 2-3 qualified suppliers for comparison but ensure equivalent specifications—the cheapest quote often excludes hot runner costs, trial fees, or uses lower-grade steel.
Toggle clamping unit — high rigidity for thin-wall molding
Budgeting and Payment Terms
Standard payment terms for thin-wall molds from Chinese suppliers including HWAMDA follow a milestone structure: 40% deposit upon order confirmation and DFM approval, 30% upon completion of mold assembly and T0 trial, and 30% upon final acceptance after T2 trial (before shipment). Some suppliers offer 50/50 terms (50% deposit, 50% before shipment) for established customers. Budget an additional 10-15% beyond the mold quotation for contingencies including design modifications, additional trial runs, spare parts, and shipping. For a comprehensive production startup, budget the mold cost as approximately 30-40% of total equipment investment—the machine, auxiliary equipment, and factory preparation make up the remainder. HWAMDA offers flexible payment arrangements for customers ordering machine-and-mold packages, with consolidated payment milestones that simplify financial planning. For comprehensive startup projects, HWAMDA offers flexible payment arrangements for machine-and-mold packages, consolidating milestones to simplify financial planning and cash flow management. Working with an experienced supplier like HWAMDA who provides transparent, inclusive pricing minimizes budget surprises and enables confident financial planning for the mold investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
A basic 4-cavity yogurt cup mold from a quality Chinese manufacturer like HWAMDA costs $25,000-40,000 including valve gate hot runner system, S136 steel cavities, and 3 mold trials. An 8-cavity version costs $40,000-60,000. These prices include complete DFM review, mold manufacturing, trial optimization, and shipping preparation. The price does not include international freight and customs duties, which add $2,000-4,000 depending on destination. The price does not include international freight and customs duties which add $2,000-4,000 depending on destination and mold weight. Freight and customs duties typically add $2,000-4,000 depending on destination and mold weight.
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