Jul 10, 2026

Mold Trial Cost: How Chinese Factories Calculate It

Understanding Mold Trial Run Costs in China

Mold trial (试模, shì mó) is the process of test-running a new mold to verify that it produces acceptable parts. Understanding how Chinese factories charge for this service helps you budget accurately and avoid surprise costs.

What a Trial Run Includes

A standard trial run involves three cost components:

Machine time: Press time is typically $30-80/hour for standard injection molding machines (100-300 tons), scaling up to $150-300/hour for large machines (1000+ tons)
Material cost: Plastic resin for trial shots, typically $2-5/kg. A standard trial uses 50-200 shots depending on cavity count and part size
Labor: Technician and engineer time to set up, run adjustments, and document trial results

Standard Industry Practice

In China, the first trial run is often included in the mold price. Additional rounds are charged as follows:

Round 2 trial: $200-500 (minor adjustments, quick cycle)
Round 3+ trial: $300-800+ per round (significant modifications may be needed)
Production trial (for multi-cavity molds): $500-2,000 (running at production speed)

Total trial costs typically range from 3-5% of the total mold cost for well-designed molds.

What Buyers Should Specify in Contracts

To avoid disputes, include these provisions in your mold purchase contract:

Number of included trial rounds: Specify 2-3 rounds included in the mold price
Trial acceptance criteria: Define acceptable dimensional tolerances, cycle time, and cosmetic quality
Material responsibility: Clarify who supplies the trial material (buyer-supplied resin often preferred to match production conditions)
Trial report requirements: Require a formal trial report with measurements, photos, and process parameters
Modification cost sharing: Agree upfront on how post-trial modification costs are split (design changes vs. manufacturing defects)

Remote Trial Witnessing