General Questions
What is Your Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)?
MOQ varies by process and part complexity:
- Compression molding (HTV): As low as 100 pcs for standard shapes
- LSR injection: Minimum ~500 pcs (due to higher setup cost)
- Rubber compression: 200-500 pcs depending on compound
- Extrusion: 500 meters minimum order length
- Overmolding: 300-1,000 pcs depending on insert complexity
We also accept prototype / sampling orders at lower quantities with a small setup surcharge.
What Is Your Typical Lead Time From Order To Delivery?
Typical timeline breakdown:
- Quoting + DFM review: 1-3 business days
- Tooling fabrication: 7-14 days (standard) / 5-7 days (expedited)
- T1 samples: 3-5 business days after tooling complete
- Sample approval to mass production: 5-10 days
- Mass production: 10-25 days (depending on qty)
- Shipping (sea freight to US/EU): 25-35 days / Air: 5-7 days
Total typical turnaround: 6-10 weeks from drawing approval to door delivery.
Do You Work With New Buyers Or Only Established Companies?
Yes! We welcome buyers of all sizes — from startups placing their first order to multinational corporations with ongoing production programs. Many of our largest clients started with a single prototype order. Every client receives the same engineering attention regardless of order size.
What File Formats Do You Accept For Drawings?
We can work with virtually any format:
- STEP (.stp/.step), IGES (.igs/.iges), Parasolid (.x_t)
- SOLIDWORKS (.sldprt), Pro/E/Creo, CATIA native files
- PDF drawings with dimensions
- DXF/DWG (2D drawings)
- Even hand sketches or photos for initial evaluation!
Pricing & Payment
How Much Does Tooling Cost?
Tooling costs depend on process and complexity:
| Process | Tool Cost Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Compression Molding | $150 – $800 per cavity |
| LSR Injection | $2,000 – $8,000 per cavity |
| Rubber Compression | $200 – $1,200 per cavity |
| Extrusion Die | $300 – $2,000 per profile |
| Overmolding Tool | $3,000 – $15,000 |
Tooling is a one-time cost. We provide exact tooling quotes within our DFM report.
What Payment Terms Do You Offer?
Standard payment terms:
- New clients: 30% deposit with PO balance before shipment (T/T wire transfer)
- Ongoing clients (after 3+ orders): 30-50% deposit, balance upon completion
- Large accounts: Net 30 or Net 60 available after credit approval
- Currencies accepted: USD, EUR, CNY (other currencies on request)
- Payment methods: Bank wire (T/T), PayPal (for small orders under $2,000)
Do Tooling Fees Include Ownership Of The Mold?
Yes — once tooling is paid in full, the mold belongs to you. We store it free of charge and maintain it during its service life. You can request mold shipment to another supplier at any time. We provide mold life tracking reports so you know exactly how many shots remain.
Quality & Compliance
How Do You Ensure Quality Consistency Across Large Production Runs?
Our 4-stage QC system ensures consistent quality:
- IQC (Incoming Quality Control): All raw materials tested against CoA specifications before use
- IPQC (In-Process QC): In-line inspection every 2 hours during production — dimensions, hardness, visual defects
- FQC (Final QC): AQL-based sampling inspection on finished goods per ISO 2859
- OQC (Outgoing QC): Pre-shipment final check with photo documentation sent to buyer for approval before shipping
Can I Visit Your Factory Or Send My Own Inspector?
Absolutely! We welcome factory visits by appointment (please give us 1 week advance notice). For third-party inspections, we coordinate with SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, and any other agency you designate. Pre-shipment inspections are included in our standard service.
What Happens If There Are Defective Parts In My Shipment?
If you receive non-conforming parts:
- Contact us within 30 days of receipt with photos and description of defect
- We investigate root cause (production issue vs. shipping damage)
- For confirmed production defects: immediate replacement at no charge OR credit toward next order
- Our historical defect rate is under 0.3% — but when issues occur, we resolve them fast
Shipping & Logistics
Which Shipping Methods Do You Support?
All major methods available:
- Sea Freight (FCL/LCL): Most economical for orders >$5,000 value. DDP option includes customs clearance.
- Air Freight: 5-7 day transit. Recommended for urgent or high-value shipments.
- Express Courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS): For samples or small parcels (under 21kg).
- DDP Shipping: We handle everything including duties/taxes — recommended for first-time importers.
Do You Ship To Amazon FBA Directly?
Yes! We are experienced with Amazon FBA fulfillment requirements:
- FNSKU labels applied to each unit
- Polybag packaging with suffocation warning label (per Amazon requirements)
- Carton labels formatted per FBA guidelines
- Shipped directly to your designated FBA warehouse
- Pre-shipment inspection report with photos included
Do I Need An Import License To Buy From THOR-SOFT?
For most countries, importing silicone/rubber parts requires no special import license — just standard customs clearance. If you’re unsure about your country’s specific regulations, let us know and we’ll help research the requirements. We provide all necessary documentation (COO, commercial invoice, packing list) for smooth customs processing. For DDP shipments, we handle customs entirely.
Materials & Processes
What’s The Difference Between HTV And LSR Silicone?
| Aspect | HTV Silicone | LSR (Liquid Silicone) |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Solid gum / putty-like | Two-part liquid (A+B components) |
| Process | Compression molding | Injection molding (high pressure) |
| Best for | Gaskets, seals, O-rings, large parts | Complex shapes, medical devices, precision parts |
| Flash control | Moderate (requires trimming) | Excellent (flash-free molding) |
| Cycle time | 3-10 minutes | 30-120 seconds |
| Tooling cost | Lower ($150-$800/cavity) | Higher ($2,000-$8,000/cavity) |
| Tolerance | ±0.15mm typical | ±0.05mm typical |
Can You Match A Specific Color For My Product?
Yes! We match colors using Pantone Matching System (PMS), RAL color standards, or physical sample reference. Our spectrophotometer verifies ΔE < 2 color accuracy. Custom colors typically add 3-5 days for lab matching and approval. Standard colors (black, white, transparent/clear, red, blue) have no additional lead time.
Still Have Questions?
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Email us directly or submit your question through our quote form — we respond within 24 hours.
