Glossary

Hard tooling

What hard tooling is, why it costs more up front, and what brands should confirm about ownership and life expectancy with UK manufacturers.

What it is

Hard tooling typically refers to durable production tools — for example hardened steel injection moulds — designed for higher volumes and longer life than soft tools.

What to clarify

Ask about expected life, maintenance, cavity count, ownership, storage, and revision costs. Hard tooling only pays back if your volume and design stability justify it.

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