Metal cutting price — how it is calculated

Short answer

A metal-cutting quote needs the drawing, metal grade, thickness, quantity and finishing requirements. Contour length, holes, required sheet area and preparation affect cost. Confirm with Craftarea what the price includes, whether a minimum or preparation charge applies and what timing is feasible.

Parts with the same outer dimensions can have different cut contours, hole counts and finishing needs. Weight, area or a per-metre rate alone is therefore insufficient for comparing complete prices. This page explains quote components and the information needed for an enquiry. A fixed formula or automatic discount does not apply to every order; final terms are confirmed for the drawing.

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Key facts

Price components: Material, cutting, preparation and additional finishing
Unit of pricing: Contour and required material quantity assessed together
Setup fee: Confirm whether it applies and its scope in the quote
Minimum order: Quantity and any minimum charge require confirmation
Quote turnaround: Timing by agreement
Production time: Timing by agreement
Cutting tolerance: Tolerance by specification
Max thickness: Confirmed for the material, grade and drawing

What makes up the metal cutting price?

Separate material purchase, cutting, file preparation and additional finishing in the quote. Contour length and holes affect processing, while required sheet area and nesting affect material use. Agree whether waste, samples, engraving, edge finishing and delivery are included. Do not assume a preparation charge applies or that it is charged only once.

Metal grade, thickness and required sheet
Contour length, holes and quantity
File preparation and any setup cost
Additional operations and delivery

How does material affect the price?

Stock price and processing difficulty vary with grade, thickness, finish and availability. Steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper and brass are not processed under identical conditions. Compare the same drawing and finished-part requirements. Acceptance of the thickness, process and any additional provider must be confirmed in the quote.

Why isn't there a fixed price list?

A simple outline and a part with many small holes require different preparation. Material source, quantity and further finishing also affect price. If you have your own sheet, agree its suitability and acceptance terms first; this does not automatically mean that cutting is the only remaining charge.

What is not included in the cutting price?

Identify operations separate from cutting: engraving, bending, welding, milling, edge finishing and coating. Confirm their availability, provider and cost individually. Also clarify material purchase, packaging and delivery.

What information is needed for a quote?

Send a vector DXF, AI or PDF, or a sketch with exact dimensions. State the grade, thickness, quantity, tolerance, finish and required date. Check whether a PDF contains vectors; an image may need preparation. A complete enquiry reduces follow-up questions. Agree quote turnaround and production timing separately.

How does order quantity affect the price?

Larger quantities may reduce preparation or material cost per item, but the result depends on nesting, design and production conditions. Request comparable quotes for the quantities you are considering. Acceptance of one item, any minimum charge and possible discounts require prior confirmation.

Material comparison considerations — price and thickness feasibility confirmed for the project

Material comparison considerations — price and thickness feasibility confirmed for the project
Material	Thickness assessment	Cost factor	Tolerance	Note
Carbon steel (mild steel, iron)	Per grade and drawing	Stock, thickness and contour	Tolerance by specification	Assess corrosion protection
Stainless steel (inox)	Per grade and drawing	Stock, thickness and contour	Tolerance by specification	Specify grade and edge requirement
Aluminium	Per grade and drawing	Stock, thickness and contour	Tolerance by specification	Confirm alloy and processing method
Copper and brass	Per grade and drawing	Stock, thickness and contour	Tolerance by specification	Cutting and engraving produce different results

How It Works

1
Send your file or dimensions
Send a vector file (DXF, AI, PDF) or precise dimensions, a sketch, and the material type you want.
2
We calculate cutting length and area
We measure the total contour length of the part in linear meters and the sheet area required.
3
Assess material and processing
Review the grade, thickness, available sheet and suitable process.
4
Clarify quote components
Confirm any preparation charge, additional operations, provider and delivery cost.
5
Confirm the quote and timing
Compare the offer with the requested material, quantity and scope; confirm the complete price and handover date before fabrication.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does cutting one linear meter of metal cost?

A per-metre rate cannot express the full order price. Specify material, thickness, contours and quantity; clarify material, preparation and additional-operation costs in the quote.

Is there a minimum order value?

Confirm any minimum quantity or charge for the particular order. Send the desired quantity and drawing; do not assume a fixed setup fee applies.

Why does the price differ between two parts of the same thickness?

Price is driven by cutting length and contour complexity, not thickness alone. Many small holes or sharp corners slow the cutting head and increase processing time, which raises the price.

Is material cost included in the price?

The offer should state whether material is included. For customer-supplied sheet confirm grade, dimensions, condition and acceptance terms. Clarify preparation and other-operation costs separately.

Do you bend metal after cutting?

Show bending requirements separately with angles and dimensions. Confirm feasibility, the provider, sequence relative to cutting and cost in advance.

Is there a discount for larger quantities?

A larger quantity may reduce unit cost, but a discount is not automatic. Request quotes for different quantities of the same design and compare total costs.

How is cutting length calculated from my file?

Cutting length is the total length of every contour in the part — outer outline plus internal holes — in linear meters. We measure it automatically from your vector file, so a DXF or AI gives a faster answer than a scanned sketch.

What do you need from me to quote a job?

Send a drawing or dimensioned sketch, metal grade, thickness, quantity and finishing requirements. Confirm material, cutting, file preparation and extra operations in the offer. Any minimum charge, preparation cost and timing are agreed for the order.

Related Services

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