An OEM project can leave more than finished goods behind. Molds, cutting dies, printing plates and design files may all be needed for the next order.

Keeping them usable means recording what exists, where it is held and who is responsible for decisions about it.

1. Unbundling NRE Setup Costs: Tooling Molds, Cutting Dies, Print Plates & Prepress

A quotation marked “setup costs” may cover several different things: a new mold, an insert for an existing tool, a carton cutting die, printing plates or artwork preparation.

List these separately. If the product uses a supplier’s standard tooling, confirm that arrangement rather than treating it as a dedicated tool made for your project.

2. Asset Traceability: Cross-Referencing Physical Tooling, CAD Drawings & Golden Samples

A useful register lets another team member identify an item without relying on the original buyer’s memory. Include:

  • Product code, tool or plate number, and identifying photographs.
  • The company and site holding it, a contact, and the last verification date.
  • The associated drawing or artwork revision and approved sample reference.
  • Who approves use or changes, and who confirms related costs.

For a bottle and cap made with separate tools, record both items and their relationship.

A single entry called “bottle mold” may not identify everything needed to reproduce the complete assembly.

3. Inter-Production Storage Governance: Climate Conditions, Maintenance & Tooling Wear

Agree how inspection, cleaning or repair needs will be reported and how costs will be approved.

For an idle tool, confirm the storage location, the next condition check and any storage charges.

4. Distinguishing Proof Approval PDFs from Editable Vector Prepress Assets (AI)

A PDF used for approval may not contain everything another designer needs to change text or dimensions.

Confirm the file formats, linked images, treatment of text, cutting lines and color specifications included in the handover.

5. Supplier Transfer Feasibility: Machine Tonnage, Mounting Fixtures & Trial Moldings

Being able to move a tool does not establish that the receiving factory can immediately use it.

Confirm machine compatibility, accessories, mounting requirements, trial production, repairs and any necessary reapproval.

At GAMU, the Guangzhou team uses the records you provide to organise questions for cooperating factories about the tooling, drawings and any additional production work.