The Mold Fee, Plain and Simple
A custom medal mold fee is $80–$150 for a standard 2D design and $150–$300 for complex 3D relief. It is
charged once, before the first run, and it buys a steel die cut specifically for your artwork. Reorder the
same design within 24 months and the charge is $0 — the die is yours and we store it at our cost.
Why a mold exists at all
Metal is not printed. To get a raised crest, a recessed enamel channel or a cut-out silhouette, you
need a die — a machined steel block with your artwork cut into it in reverse. Molten zinc alloy is
injected against that die under pressure, cools in seconds, and comes out with your shape.
Cutting that die is a machining job, not a printing job. It takes 5–7 days, it is done once, and it is
specific to your artwork. That is the entire justification for the fee — and the reason any supplier
telling you the setup is "free" is either absorbing it into the unit price or planning to bill it later.
What the fee actually covers
| Work item | Included? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Artwork redraw to production vector | Yes | Included in every quote, mold or not |
| Die machining (CNC + hand finishing) | Yes | The main cost — 5–7 days |
| Test strike and adjustment | Yes | First strike is photographed for you |
| Digital proof revisions | Yes, unlimited | Before the die is cut |
| Die storage for 24 months | Yes | At our cost, not billed to you |
| Physical sample production | No | $30–$50, credited 100% to the order |
| Second die for a different design | No | Each design needs its own die |
The part most quotes leave out: cost per piece
The mold fee does not change with quantity — but its effect on your unit cost does. This is the honest
math behind "no minimum order" claims.
| Quantity | Mold per piece ($150 die) | Unit price incl. mold |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (the "no minimum" pitch) | $150.00 | ≈ $152 |
| 50 | $3.00 | ≈ $4.60 |
| 100 | $1.50 | ≈ $3.20 |
| 300 | $0.50 | ≈ $2.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.15 | ≈ $1.05 |
Assumes a $1.55 base unit price for illustration. The point is not the exact number —
it is that a 1-piece order is not cheap, it is just quoted differently.
Reorders: the promise
If you order the same design, same size, same mold within 24 months, you pay no tooling charge. We
confirm the die's condition with a photo before the run and we do not bill a "setup," "re-mold" or
"plate fee" in its place. After 24 months, tell us before you order — in most cases the die is still
good and we waive the charge anyway.
The mold is yours
You paid for it, so you own it. Ask for photos of the die at any point in the 24 months. If you want
it shipped to you or transferred to another supplier, we will do that at your cost — we would rather
earn the reorder than hold your tooling hostage.
Three things that push the fee up
- 3D relief depth. A sculpted crest needs a multi-part die and hand finishing —
roughly double a flat 2D design. - Cut-outs and thin bridges. Any shape where metal is pierced needs extra die
support; too thin and it bends in the press. - Spinner or hinged construction. Two dies, plus an assembly jig, plus a second
QC pass.
One page, one number
If you want the mold fee and the unit price in the same view, the
price calculator puts both on screen before it asks for your email.
If you want it in writing, request a quote and it arrives itemized within
two business hours.
Key takeaways
- Mold fees for custom medals are $80–$150 (2D) and $150–$300 (3D), charged once per design.
- The fee pays for die machining, a test strike and unlimited digital proofs — not for "setup" or design work.
- Reorder the same design within 24 months and the mold charge is zero; the die is owned by the client.
- A mold fee spread over 50 pieces adds about $3.00 per piece; over 1,000 pieces it adds about $0.15.
- Any quote that does not state the mold fee either folded it into the unit price or will add it later.
Last updated: January 2026 · Published by MedalSmith.com, a sourcing and QC partner
for custom metal products.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the mold fee range from $80 to $300?
Because complexity, not size, drives tooling cost. A standard 2D design cuts a die at $80-150; a complex 3D relief with undercuts and layered depth runs $150-300. The fee is quoted before you commit and itemized on the invoice.
Who owns the mold after it is cut?
You do. MedalSmith stores it free for 24 months, and a reorder of the same design inside that window carries no second mold fee — you pay for metal, enamel and labor only. You can request photos of your mold at any time.
What happens after 24 months?
Ask before reordering and we will confirm the mold's storage condition. If it is still serviceable the reorder runs as normal; if the die has degraded, a new mold is quoted before anything is charged.