Plastic Injection molding service
Get reliable, production-ready plastic injection molded parts, from early-stage prototypes to full-scale production. Protolabs Network connects you to vetted manufacturing partners, with engineering support and scalable tooling options.
Plastic injection molding service overview
Plastic injection molding is ideal for: repeatable, cost-effective production of complex thermoplastic parts.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Medium- to high-volume production |
| Parts | Cosmetic and functional plastic components |
| Molding | Precision molds, complex molds, insert molds, family molds, overmolding molds, single- to multi-cavity molds, and more |
| Mold Materials | Aluminum molds, steel molds |
| Materials | ABS, PC, PP, Nylon, POM, TPU, HDPE, and more |
| Post-processing | Spray painting, pad printing, laser engraving, threaded inserts, machining, and more |
| Finishing | SPI finishes (A1–A3, B1–B3, C1–C3, D1–D3), EDM / VDI textures (VDI 12–45), custom finishes |
| Part tolerances | DIN 16742 or tighter tolerances as specified in your 2D drawings |
| Quality control | Parts inspected according to network quality standards; inspection reports available on request |
| Tooling ownership | Tooling is customer-owned, with ongoing mold maintenance support during production |
| Industry applications | Aerospace, medical, consumer electronics, automotive, and more |
Manufacturing with plastic injection molding
Plastic injection molding is a manufacturing process that creates parts by injecting molten plastic into a precision-machined mold. Once cooled, the part is ejected and the cycle repeats, enabling consistent, high-volume production with tight repeatability.
Post-processing services
We offer a range of post-processing options, such as painting and heat-set threaded inserts. You can request specific post-processing in the Custom requirements field when you submit your quote. Examples include:
Gallery of plastic injection molded products
Mold options
We offer a comprehensive range of tooling options to support different part designs, material requirements, production volumes, and lead-time needs.
| Tooling Option | Description | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Precision Mold | Designed for tight tolerances and high-accuracy parts. | Medical components, electronics housings, precision mechanical parts |
| Complex Mold | Supports intricate geometries and advanced part designs. | Automotive components, consumer electronics, complex enclosures |
| Insert Mold | Molds plastic directly around metal or other pre-placed components. | Threaded inserts, electrical connectors, structural reinforcements |
| Family Mold | Produces multiple different parts in a single mold. | Low- to mid-volume production of related part families |
| Overmolding Mold | Molds one material over another to add functionality or improve ergonomics. | Soft-touch grips, seals, ergonomic handles |
| 2K & 3K Mold | Enables two-shot and three-shot molding to produce multi-material or multi-color parts in one process. | Buttons, multi-color housings, seals, functional assemblies |
| Multi-Cavity Mold | Produces multiple identical parts per molding cycle. | High-volume consumer products, caps, connectors |
| High-Temperature Mold | Designed for processing high-temperature engineering plastics such as PEEK, PEI/Ultem, PPS, and LCP. | Aerospace, automotive under-hood parts, electrical and industrial components |
| Expedited Tooling | Optimized for faster tool production and shorter lead times. | Prototyping, rapid product launches, bridge production, urgent production needs |
| Compression Mold | Uses heat and pressure to form material within a mold cavity. | Large parts, thick-walled components, specialized material applications |
| Stack Mold | Uses multiple molding levels or parting lines to increase production output per cycle. | High-volume packaging, caps, closures, thin-walled consumer products |
| LSR Mold | Designed for liquid silicone rubber molding to produce flexible, durable, and heat-resistant parts. | Seals, gaskets, medical components, electrical components |
| Aluminium Mold | Aluminum tooling designed for faster tool production and lower-volume molding compared with traditional production steel tooling. | Prototyping, design validation, bridge production, low-volume production |
Plastic injection molding surface finishes
Improve part performance and appearance by selecting the right surface finish. Mold and post-processing finishes can enhance cosmetic quality, surface texture, cleanability, and scratch resistance depending on the material and application.
We offer the full range of SPI surface finishes (A1–D3), from high-gloss polished to matte finishes. We also support VDI 12–45 for textured surfaces, as well as Mold-Tech (MT) and Yick Sang (YS) textures. Custom finishes are available on request.
Injection molding materials
Choose from a wide range of standard, engineering, and specialty materials. Additional grades are available on request. Explore our injection molding materials
| ABS | PC | PP | Nylon (PA) | POM |
| TPU | TPE | HDPE | LDPE | PMMA |
| PBT | HIPS | PPS | PEEK | PEI (Ultem) |
| PET | LCP | PC/ABS | PA GF10–50 |
Plastic injection molding design guidelines
Plastic injection molding projects typically fall into two classes: prototype/bridge tooling and production tooling. These are common design and part capability guidelines, final specs depend on geometry, material, and tool design.
| Metric | Prototype / Bridge Tooling | Production Tooling |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Mold Size | Project dependent | Up to 2000 × 1800 × 600 mm |
| Machine Tonnage | Project dependent | 35–1300 tons |
| Tolerances | DIN 16742 or tighter tolerances as specified in your 2D drawings | DIN 16742 or tighter tolerances as specified in your 2D drawings |
| Draft Angles | ≥ 0.5° | ≥ 1° |
| Undercuts | Manual / Automatic | Automatic |
| Wall Thickness | ≥ 0.8 mm | ≥ 0.8 mm |
| Radii (Fillets) | ≥ 0.2 mm | ≥ 0.2 mm |
Quality and accuracy
We manufacture plastic injection molded parts according to strict manufacturing standards. All parts and processes follow The Protolabs Network Standard to ensure consistent quality and repeatability.
-
Our network includes ISO 9001-certified manufacturing partners, with IATF 16949, ISO 13485, and ISO 14001 certifications available for specialized applications.
-
ISO Class 8 cleanroom capabilities are available for qualifying projects.
-
Advanced inspection and quality documentation, including PPAP, FAI, CMM inspection, Cpk analysis, and GR&R, are available on request.
Specialist industries
We’ve manufactured millions of parts for all sorts of applications, but we’re especially knowledgeable in these areas.
Aerodynamic parts for aircraft, drones, satellites and rockets with AS 9100 certification.
Read moreCreate custom medical devices and diagnostic equipment to get healthcare innovations into hospitals and homes.
Read moreManufacture parts requiring highly cosmetic features for gaming, audio, video and smart home products.
Produce complex robotic systems, end effectors and automated machinery for this innovative industry.
Read moreFAQ's about plastic injection molding service
What are plastic injection molded parts used for?
Plastic injection molded parts are used in automotive, medical, industrial, aerospace, and consumer products due to their consistency, durability, and scalability.
Can you support medical-grade or food-grade plastics?
Yes. Material availability depends on performance and compliance requirements. Share your requirements during quoting to confirm options.
What post-processing can be used for injection molded parts?
Common options include spray painting, printing, laser engraving, plating, machining, inserts, welding, and assembly, with additional advanced finishes available.
How accurate are injection molded parts?
Injection molding can be very repeatable once stabilized. Final tolerances depend on material shrinkage, geometry, tooling design, and quality requirements.
What defects can occur in injection molding?
Typical defects include flash, sink marks, warpage, and weld lines. Design and tooling optimization reduce defect risks.
What does plastic injection molding cost?
There are many factors that determine the cost of injection molding your custom parts. The three main expenses are tooling, materials and production. Find out how to reduce your manufacturing costs in our injection molding guide.
What quality assurance and inspection options are available for injection molding?
Our injection molding network supports a range of quality assurance, inspection, and production validation requirements. Depending on your project and manufacturing partner, available services include PPAP Level 2 and Level 3, First Article Inspection (FAI), CMM inspection, process capability analysis (Cpk), Gauge R&R (GR&R), and Installation/Operational/Performance Qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ).
For projects with specific regulatory or compliance requirements, California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) support is also available.
Quality documentation and inspection requirements should be specified when requesting a quote so we can match your project with an appropriately qualified manufacturing partner.
What ISO certifications do you have?
Our injection molding manufacturing network includes partners certified to ISO 9001 for quality management, with additional certifications available for specialized applications. These include IATF 16949 for automotive manufacturing, ISO 13485 for medical devices, and ISO 14001 for environmental management. ISO Class 8 cleanroom capabilities are also available for qualifying projects.
Certification availability varies by manufacturing partner and project requirements. Contact us or upload your CAD files to confirm the appropriate certified manufacturing option for your application.
What materials are available for plastic injection molding?
Our manufacturing network supports a wide range of thermoplastics, including ABS, PC, PP, PA (including 10–50% glass-filled grades), POM, TPU, TPE, HDPE, LDPE, PMMA, PBT, HIPS, PPS, PEEK, PEI (Ultem), PET, LCP, and PC/ABS, as well as LSR (liquid silicone rubber).
Specialty options include food-grade and medical-grade materials, recycled and bio-based polymers, electrically conductive plastics, UL94 V-0 flame-retardant grades, and UV-stable materials. Customer-supplied materials can also be accommodated for suitable projects.
Material availability and grade requirements vary by project, so contact us or upload your CAD files to confirm the best material for your application.
What injection molding machine tonnage is available?
Our manufacturing network offers injection molding machines ranging from 35 to 1,300 tons, supporting everything from small precision components to large molded parts. The required tonnage depends on factors such as part size, material, geometry, and projected area. Upload your CAD file, and we'll determine the appropriate machine for your project.
What is the maximum part size for injection molding?
The maximum part size depends on the part geometry, material, mold design, and required machine tonnage. Our manufacturing network can accommodate molds up to 2,000 × 1,800 × 600 mm, supporting both small precision components and large molded parts. Upload your CAD file to confirm the appropriate mold size, machine tonnage, and manufacturing approach for your design.