You don't need everything perfectly documented to get a quote, but the more detail you share, the faster and more accurate the response. Here's the checklist we use.
1. The Part Geometry
The single most useful thing is the shape of the part. A 3D CAD file (STEP or IGES is ideal), a 2D drawing, clear photos, or a physical sample all work. If you only have a sample with no drawing, that's fine. Our custom moulding service can reverse-engineer it.
2. The Material or Performance Needs
If you know the material, tell us. If not, describe what the part has to do. Does it need to be tough, flexible, heat-resistant, food-appropriate, UV-stable? We'll recommend a suitable material.
3. The Quantity
Your estimated annual quantity (and batch sizes) drives the tooling and process recommendation. Injection moulding gets more economical at higher volumes, and the right tooling depends on how many parts you need. See injection moulding costs.
4. Critical Features and Tolerances
Tell us which dimensions or features are critical to function. Not every dimension needs a tight tolerance, flagging the ones that do helps us design the tool and process correctly.
5. Timescales and Existing Tooling
Let us know your target timescales and whether you need a new mould tool or already have one (which we may be able to transfer or maintain).
Sources & Further Reading
For independent background on the process, see the British Plastics Federation's guide to injection moulding and the overview on Wikipedia.