Tooling is a one-off cost that buys a physical object: a steel mould, a jig, a test fixture. Three questions decide how much freedom you keep afterwards, and all three are easier to settle before the money moves.
The three questions
- Who owns it? Paying for a mould and owning it are not the same thing unless the contract says so explicitly.
- Can it be moved? A mould designed for one factory's machines may not run elsewhere. Ask about the press tonnage and interface before, not after.
- How many shots is it rated for? An aluminium tool is cheaper and wears out; steel costs more and lasts. The right answer depends on your volume, not on the quote.
Why it matters beyond the money
Tooling is the strongest form of supplier lock-in in hardware. A supplier who holds your mould holds your production schedule, and both sides know it during every subsequent price conversation. That is not a reason to avoid tooling — it is a reason to write down who owns what while everyone is still friendly.