Resources
Frequently asked questions.
Quick answers about working with Plastic Alternatives. Don't see yours? Just ask.
Where are you located, and where do you ship?
We're based in Minnesota and serve manufacturers across the United States. Parts are made in the USA through our manufacturing partner network.
What's your minimum order?
It depends on the process. Fabrication suits one-offs and low volumes; molding and extrusion are better at higher volumes. We'll recommend the most economical route for your quantity.
Can you help me choose a process?
Yes — that's our specialty. Send a part or print and we'll recommend the right process for your geometry, volume, and budget.
Are you ISO certified?
Yes — ISO 9001:2015 across our processes, and ISO 13485:2016 for medical molding.
Do you build tooling?
We do — including in-house CNC and wire-EDM tooling — and we can transfer existing tools.
Do you offer assembly and finishing?
Yes — assembly, sonic welding, pad/screen/digital printing, CNC trim, and packaging.
How fast can I get a quote?
Quickly. Send your files and we'll turn it around — and for prototypes, fabrication is the fast path.
What size parts can you handle?
Injection molding runs on 28–2000 ton presses, thermoforming handles parts up to 8.5 feet, extruded profiles run up to 9 inches wide, and rotational molding builds large hollow parts on multi-arm machines. Not sure where your part fits? Send it over.
What file formats should I send for a quote?
CAD models (STEP or IGES) plus a PDF print with critical dimensions are ideal. Only have a sample part or a sketch? Send what you have — we’ll take it from there.
Do you mold medical parts?
Yes — medical molding is a core capability: ISO 13485:2016 certified, with clean-room molding for medical and life-science components.
Can you take over a mold from another supplier?
Yes — tooling transfer is routine. We inspect and sample your existing tool, verify first articles against your spec, and bring it into production. See the tooling transfer guide.
What materials do you run?
All common thermoplastics — polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, polycarbonate, PETG, nylon, acetal, acrylic, PVC, and flexible TPEs — plus glass-filled and other modified grades. See the material selection guide for a comparison.
How long does tooling take to build?
It depends on size, cavitation, and complexity — a simple single-cavity tool moves much faster than a large multi-cavity mold. You’ll get a firm tooling timeline with your quote; transferring an existing mold is faster still.
Still have a question?
Reach out and a principal will get back to you — usually the same day.