"What is your MOQ?" has no single answer, because minimum order quantity depends on how each process is set up and paid for. Here are HC-Mold's numbers, followed by what to do when your volume sits below them.
"What is your MOQ?" has no single answer, because minimum order quantity depends on how each process is set up and paid for. Here are HC-Mold's numbers, followed by what to do when your volume sits below them.
Quick answer
At HC-Mold, CNC machining has no minimum order, and prototypes start at 1 piece. Injection molding starts from 500 pcs. Die casting, sheet metal and extrusion start from 1,000 pcs, and assembly and packaging services start from 500 pcs. If your quantity is lower, CNC, vacuum casting, 3D printing or rapid tooling can bridge the gap until your volume justifies production tooling.
MOQ by process at HC-Mold
| Process | MOQ | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Prototypes (CNC, 3D printing, vacuum casting) | 1 piece | No production tooling to pay off |
| CNC machining | No minimum | Cost is set-up plus machine time |
| Injection molding | From 500 pcs | Machine set-up, resin and color changeover, and tooling use |
| Die casting | 1,000 pcs | Tool and shot economics |
| Sheet metal | 1,000 pcs | Tooling, programming and set-up |
| Extrusion | 1,000 pcs | Die and run set-up |
| Assembly and packaging | 500 pcs | Line set-up and material handling |
HC-Mold's stated production capacity of 50 to 500,000+ pcs per month describes how much the factory can produce. It is not an order minimum. Exact lead times and pricing are confirmed on your quotation.
Why MOQs exist
Every production run carries fixed effort that does not shrink with quantity: setting up machines, loading and drying resin, adjusting parameters, running first-article checks and changing colors. A very small run spreads that effort across few parts, so cost per piece climbs. Tooling adds another layer. In a molding or casting program, tooling cost is spread across the parts you buy, so a larger planned volume lowers the tooling share of each part. (Amortized tooling per part is roughly tooling cost divided by planned volume.)
For injection molding, four things drive the practical minimum:
- Cavity count and runner type, since cold runners and purge create waste
- Resin and masterbatch lots, which are bought in fixed bag sizes
- Machine set-up and color changes, because the barrel must be purged between colors
- Packaging and export carton efficiency
What to do if your volume is below the MOQ
Use a bridge route that matches the quantity.
| Quantity you need | Route to consider | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-10 pcs | CNC prototype or 3D printing (SLA/SLS/MJF) | CNC 3-5 days, 3D printing 2-3 days |
| 10-200 pcs | CNC small batch or vacuum casting | Vacuum casting takes 5-7 days; fixtures and programs are reused across a batch |
| Up to a few hundred parts | Rapid tooling (about 15 days) | Confirm tool material and expected life in your quote |
| 500+ pcs, design proven | Injection molding with production tooling | Standard mold lead time 25-35 days |
This is general guidance, not a quote. Your geometry and material decide the right route. For a deeper comparison, read CNC vs injection molding for low volume and rapid tooling vs production mold.
Using the same factory matters. Datums, DFM changes and inspection plans carry forward when prototyping, tooling and production sit under one roof. See prototype to production in the same factory.
How tooling cost interacts with MOQ
A low order quantity makes the tooling cost look large per part. That is why buyers often ask about the payment model. HC-Mold offers three tooling models, including a Model C where tooling you prepaid is refunded from product payments when cumulative deliveries reach the contracted quantity. Read who owns the mold before comparing total cost across quotes, and see how injection mold cost is built up.
Colors, materials and SKUs change the effective MOQ
A "500 pcs MOQ" is easier to meet when the program is simple. Each extra color or material means another purge and set-up, so consolidating SKUs where branding allows lowers cost. For CNC, batching design revisions into one set-up window reduces unit cost even though each revision is technically MOQ 1.
Share both an optimistic and a conservative 12-month forecast. Engineering can then propose a single-cavity pilot tool for validation before you commit to a multi-cavity tool for scale. See multi-cavity molds for that trade-off.
Common MOQ mistakes
- Treating a production-capacity number as an order minimum
- Asking for tiny runs on multi-cavity hot-runner tools, where purge and set-up make the run uneconomic
- Changing colors late without re-planning the quantity
- Leaving MOQ and price breaks out of the purchase order
- Ordering molded parts for a product that has not passed prototype validation
What to send to get an MOQ and price plan
STEP/IGES file and PDF drawing, material and color, annual and first-order quantity, finishing and packaging requirements, and target delivery date. HC-Mold reviews files under NDA, replies within 12 hours and quotes within 24 hours on a complete RFQ. The MOQ and lead time page lists planning ranges.
FAQ
What is the MOQ for injection molding at HC-Mold?
Injection molding starts from 500 pcs. If you need fewer, CNC, vacuum casting or rapid tooling can cover the early volume.
Is there a minimum for CNC machining?
No. CNC machining has no minimum order, and prototypes start at 1 piece.
What is the MOQ for die casting, sheet metal and extrusion?
1,000 pcs for each.
Does the 50 to 500,000+ pcs per month figure mean I can order 50 pcs?
No. That range describes production capacity. Use the MOQ table above for order minimums.
Can I split an order across colors?
Each color needs its own set-up and purge, so plan color quantities with engineering. HC-Mold confirms feasibility on the quotation.
Planning a volume order?
Send your drawings and a 12-month forecast. We will propose a route from prototype to production that fits your quantity.
Written by HC-Mold Engineering Team · Reviewed by HC MOLD · Last updated: 2026-10-06
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