When looking for a sheet metal fabrication company, procurement teams often start with a simple sentence:
“I’d like to request a quote.”
For a sheet metal fabricator, however, these few words are usually not enough.
If you want a more accurate sheet metal fabrication quotation and less back-and-forth communication, it is helpful to provide the following 6 pieces of information when requesting a quote:
Drawing + Material + Thickness + Quantity + Secondary Processing + Delivery Requirements
The more complete the information, the easier it is for a sheet metal fabrication company to evaluate the manufacturing process, material requirements and production schedule, resulting in a more efficient quotation process.
Complete CAD files, PDF drawings or engineering drawings are among the most important pieces of information when requesting a sheet metal fabrication quote.
Your drawings should ideally include:
If you have a 3D CAD file, you can provide it together with the 2D drawing.
The more complete the drawing, the easier it is for the sheet metal fabricator to determine the appropriate manufacturing process and reduce the time spent confirming dimensions, hole locations and fabrication requirements.
For procurement teams, if a complete drawing is already available, providing it directly when requesting a quotation is usually much more efficient than simply describing the part you need.
Common materials used in sheet metal fabrication include:
Different materials can have different material costs, fabrication characteristics and processing requirements.
For the same part, changing the material may affect material cost, laser cutting parameters, bending conditions and even welding requirements.
When requesting a quotation, it is therefore best to clearly specify:
Material + Thickness
For example:
SUS 304, 2.0 mm thickness
This provides much more useful information for quotation purposes than simply stating “stainless steel.”
Even when the material is the same, different sheet thicknesses can affect material cost and fabrication conditions.
For example:
Different material thicknesses may require different conditions for laser cutting and press brake bending.
When requesting a quotation, it is therefore best to provide:
Material + Thickness
For example:
SPCC, 1.5 mm thickness
SUS 304, 2.0 mm thickness
This gives the fabricator more complete information when evaluating material requirements and manufacturing processes.
Producing 10 pieces, 100 pieces or 1,000 pieces can require completely different production arrangements.
Order quantity can affect:
If the parts will be produced regularly, it is also helpful to provide:
Quantity per batch + Estimated demand
For example:
100 pieces per batch, approximately 500 pieces per month
This allows the sheet metal fabricator to better evaluate the appropriate production method and discuss pricing and delivery requirements.
Sheet metal fabrication is usually more than simply cutting and bending a sheet.
In addition to laser cutting, press brake bending and welding, a project may also require:
These secondary processes can affect the final sheet metal fabrication quotation.
If the requirements are already confirmed, it is best to provide them when requesting the quotation.
For example:
Laser cutting → Bending → Welding → Grinding → Powder coating
The clearer the manufacturing process, the easier it is for the fabricator to evaluate the complete project.
“When do you need the parts?” is also an important factor in sheet metal quoting and production planning.
You can specify whether the project is:
For example:
Delivery required by the end of October
Or:
Regular monthly delivery required
By understanding your actual delivery requirements, the sheet metal fabricator can better evaluate the appropriate production schedule and lead time.
If you do not want to remember too much, simply remember these 6 items:
The more complete the information, the less back-and-forth communication is usually required.
For example:
“What material is it?”
“What is the sheet thickness?”
“Does it require welding?”
“Is surface treatment required?”
“How many pieces do you need?”
“When do you need delivery?”
For procurement teams, fewer rounds of clarification mean more time to focus on the work that matters.
Yes, you can provide it as a starting point.
If you currently only have a 3D CAD file, it can still help a sheet metal fabricator understand the overall appearance and structure of the part.
If both are available:
2D Engineering Drawing + 3D CAD File
It is recommended to provide both.
A 2D drawing can clearly show dimensions, tolerances, hole locations, bend angles and fabrication requirements, while a 3D CAD file helps the fabricator understand the overall structure of the part.
The more complete the information, the easier it is to evaluate the fabrication process and prepare a quotation.
Chuangpu Technology provides:
Sheet Metal Fabrication | Laser Cutting | Press Brake Bending | Sheet Metal Welding | Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication
We support single-piece prototyping, small-batch production and batch production, with fabrication requirements evaluated according to drawings, material, thickness, quantity and required processes.
If you are looking for a sheet metal fabrication company and already have drawings and project requirements, you can prepare:
Drawing + Material + Thickness + Quantity + Secondary Processing + Delivery Requirements
Send us your requirements.
Not sure how the part should be fabricated? That is okay. Send your requirements to Chuangpu Technology and let's take a look together.