Thermoforming RFQ Template: Free Excel & PDF Download for Engineers

A complete RFQ gets you faster, more accurate quotes. An incomplete RFQ delays your project by weeks while suppliers chase missing information. This page provides the 18-field RFQ template DitaiPlastic recommends — free in Excel and PDF — plus an explanation of what each field affects in cost and lead time.

Why a Standardized RFQ Matters

The difference between a good and bad thermoforming RFQ is often 2-3 weeks of project lead time and 10-30% of cost.

Common consequences of incomplete RFQs:

• Supplier guesses on missing fields → quote inaccurate by 20-50%
• Multiple back-and-forth emails → 5-15 days of delay
• Different suppliers interpret your requirements differently → quotes not comparable
• Production problems traced back to undocumented assumptions

Using a standard RFQ template eliminates these issues. Below is the 18-field template, available for free download.

The 18 Required RFQ Fields

Section A: Part Identification

1. Part name and customer P/N — exactly as it will appear on PO and packing slips
2. Drawing rev / CAD file rev — file name and revision date; locks the version we quote
3. End-use application — robotics shell, EV charger lower, medical housing, etc. (helps DFM)

Section B: Geometric & Material Specifications

4. Bounding box dimensions — Length × Width × Depth in mm
5. Material specification — ABS, PC, PETG, PMMA, HIPS, PP, HDPE, etc. + grade if known
6. Starting sheet thickness — mm. If unsure, write “supplier recommendation”
7. Color & finish — RAL number, Pantone, or supplier color match. Surface: polished, satin, MT-11020, etc.
8. Critical wall thickness zones — minimum acceptable thickness in load-bearing or sealing areas

Section C: Tolerances & Quality

9. Tolerance class — General (±0.5mm or ±1%), Tight (±0.25mm specific dimensions), or Pressure-formed precision
10. Critical dimensions list — boxed dimensions on drawing requiring tighter tolerance + specific tolerance value
11. Compliance requirements — UL94 V-0, FAR 25.853, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, FDA, RoHS, REACH, IP65/IP67
12. Inspection level — AQL standard, FAI required, PPAP level if applicable

Section D: Volume & Logistics

13. Annual volume estimate — units per year
14. Order frequency — bulk yearly, monthly schedules, JIT releases
15. Lead time requirement — first article date, production date
16. Packaging requirements — bulk bag, individual carton, foam-protected, ESD-protected
17. Ship-to location(s) — country and city, terms (FOB, EXW, DDP)
18. Payment terms preference — TT 30/60/90, LC, escrow

Optional / Industry-Specific Add-Ons

• Cleanroom forming requirement (medical/electronics)
• NDA in place (yes/no/required)
• Tooling ownership preference (customer-owned vs supplier-owned)
• Number of cavities (single vs multi-cavity preference)
• Color matching requirements (in-house Pantone matching capability)
• Secondary operations (CNC trim, ultrasonic welding, painting, printing)

Download the Template

How DitaiPlastic Processes a Complete RFQ

From a complete RFQ submission, our process:

1. Hour 0: RFQ received, account manager assigned
2. Hour 4: Initial DFM review by application engineer; flag any unbuildable requirements
3. Hour 24: Tooling estimate complete
4. Hour 48: Material cost analysis, cycle time calculation, packaging cost
5. Hour 72 (3 business days): Formal quote delivered with itemized costs, lead time, and DFM feedback

For incomplete RFQs, this timeline extends to 7-15 business days while we collect missing information.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your RFQ

Mistake 1: Using Injection Molding Tolerances

Specifying ±0.1mm general tolerances will get the RFQ rejected or quoted at premium pressure-forming pricing. Use the thermoforming tolerance chart as a baseline.

Mistake 2: Vague Material Specification

“Plastic” is not a material. Even “ABS” is incomplete — there are dozens of ABS grades with different impact, heat-resistance, and cost. Either specify the grade (e.g., “ABS Cycolac MG47”) or write “ABS — supplier to recommend FDA-compliant grade for application X.”

Mistake 3: Missing Volume Annual

Without annual volume, suppliers default to assumed mid-volume pricing. Your actual cost may be 30-50% off. State volume even if uncertain: “Year 1: 5,000; Year 2-3: 15-20K projection.”

Mistake 4: Sending STL Instead of STEP

STL files lack parametric edges and can’t be used for tooling. Always send STEP, IGES, or native CAD format for production RFQs.

Mistake 5: Omitting Color and Surface Finish

Color matching adds $0-3 per part depending on quantity and accuracy required. Surface finish dramatically affects tooling cost. Don’t leave these blank.

Mistake 6: Ambiguous Tolerance Format

“±0.5” — half a millimeter or half a percent? “Tight” tolerance — what does that mean? Write specific values with units.

Mistake 7: Multiple Parts in One RFQ Without Distinct P/Ns

Bundle pricing is common for related parts, but they need distinct P/Ns and individual specifications. Otherwise quotes can’t be compared between suppliers.

What Happens If You Don’t Have All the Information?

That’s normal — many RFQs come during early design. Best practice:

• Fill in what you know
• Mark unknowns explicitly: “TBD by supplier” or “Need recommendation”
• State assumptions: “Based on similar parts, assume 2mm wall, ABS”
• Request supplier feedback in their quote

This still gets you a useful response within 2-3 days. The supplier flags the assumptions they made; you confirm or correct in the next round.

Sample Completed RFQ (Reference)

Field	Example Value
1. Part name / P/N	EV Charger Lower Cabinet, P/N CH-2026-LC
2. Drawing rev	CH-2026-LC_RevC.STEP, dated 2026-04-15
3. End-use	EV charging station, outdoor mount, IP67
4. Dimensions	1500 × 600 × 800 mm
5. Material	PC/ABS blend, UL94 V-0, UV-stabilized
6. Sheet thickness	6mm starting; supplier may recommend higher if simulation shows risk
7. Color/finish	RAL 7035 (light gray), satin texture MT-11020
8. Wall thickness critical	≥3mm in IP67 sealing zone (top edge, 50mm wide)
9. Tolerance	General: ±1mm or ±0.8%; Critical: see drawing
10. Critical dims	Sealing groove 4.0±0.15mm; mounting bolt circle ±0.5mm
11. Compliance	UL94 V-0, IP67 (housing), RoHS, REACH; UL listing program in Q3 2026
12. Inspection	FAI on first article; AQL 1.5 on production
13. Annual volume	Year 1: 4,000; Year 2-3: 8,000-12,000/yr
14. Frequency	Monthly releases of 350-1000 units
15. Lead time	FAI by 2026-08-30; production starts 2026-10-01
16. Packaging	Individual cartons with foam corners; pallet of 8 per pallet
17. Ship-to	Hamburg, Germany; FOB Shanghai
18. Payment	TT 30% deposit, 70% before shipment; net 30 from B/L for established account

RFQ Template FAQ

Can I send a less-formal email RFQ instead of using the template?

Yes, but expect 2-3 extra days while we collect missing information. The template is for your convenience as much as ours.

Do you accept RFQs in languages other than English?

Yes — Chinese (Simplified), German, Spanish, Portuguese, and French handled directly. Other languages via translation. Drawings should be in English where possible to avoid measurement-system confusion.

Is the RFQ template free to share with my team?

Yes — distribute internally without restriction. We just ask that you don’t redistribute it as your own content publicly.

How current does the template stay?

We update the template annually based on industry compliance changes. Currently version 2.1, dated April 2026. Updates released to all download requesters.

Can the template be integrated into my procurement system?

The Excel and Markdown formats are integration-friendly. Several customers use them as the basis for ARIBA, SAP Ariba, or Coupa RFQ entries. Contact us if you need API-friendly JSON format.