Cost benchmark
Manufacturing cost: tooling, production and assembly
Manufacturing is where budgets break, because tooling is a one-time cash spike that lands before you have revenue. These are the benchmarks founders should plan against.
| Line item | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injection mold tooling (per cavity) | $3,000 | $12,000 | $40,000 |
| Sheet metal / fixture tooling | $1,500 | $6,000 | $20,000 |
| First production run (1k units) | $10,000 | $45,000 | $150,000 |
| Assembly & test setup | $2,000 | $9,000 | $30,000 |
| QC, inspection & logistics | $1,500 | $6,000 | $25,000 |
What drives the range
- Part count and number of unique molds
- Order volume and negotiated MOQs
- Domestic versus overseas contract manufacturing
- Certification requirements for your target markets
Common questions
How much does injection mold tooling cost?
A single-cavity aluminum tool for a small part starts around $3,000. Multi-cavity hardened steel tooling for a full consumer product commonly totals $30,000 to $120,000.
What should my first production run cost?
Most startups spend $25,000 to $100,000 on a first run of 1,000 to 5,000 units, excluding tooling.
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