Metal Parts RFQ Checklist: Send a Complete Drawing, Get a Faster Quote
A metal fabrication quotation is only as good as the information behind it. The difference between a quote in 3 hours and a quote in 3 days is almost never the supplier’s workload — it is how complete the request is. This checklist shows exactly what to send with a sheet metal, stamping or fabrication RFQ so your supplier can price it accurately on the first pass.
In short: the complete RFQ package is five items — a readable drawing, the material, the quantity, the finish and the acceptance criteria. Miss any one and the quote comes back with assumptions, caveats or a follow-up call.
The Five-Part RFQ Package
1. The Drawing
Send the best file you have. The ideal is a STEP or IGES 3D model plus a 2D PDF with critical dimensions and tolerances. No CAD? A clear PDF or even a hand sketch with key dimensions works — we draw it up and confirm before quoting. We accept STEP, STP, SLDPRT, STL, DXF, DWG, PDF, CATPART, PRT, SAT and image files.
2. The Material
State the grade and thickness — for example “DC01 cold-rolled, 1.5 mm” rather than “steel”. If you are not sure, say what the part does and where it lives; we recommend a grade in the DFM feedback and quote it. Include the certificate requirement (EN 10204 3.1, mill certificate) if your QA will need it later.
3. The Quantity and Timeline
Quantity changes everything in metal fabrication — a 1-piece prototype, a 200-piece pilot and a 5,000-piece series run use different tooling and different price structures. Give the target quantity and your deadline. If the quantity is not final, ask for the price break at two or three volumes.
4. The Finish
Surface finish is where quoting assumptions hide. Specify powder coating (with RAL if known), plating, anodizing, brushing, passivation, or bare metal with a stated tolerance for edge condition. “As pictured” is not a finish specification — say what the part must look like and survive.
5. The Acceptance Criteria
What matters most: critical dimensions, tolerances, inspection reports, certificates, packaging, first-article approval? Write down what your receiving inspection will check. This is also where you state your paperwork requirements — CMM report, material certificate, coating thickness reading.
File Formats We Accept
| Format | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| STEP / STP / IGES | 3D geometry | Preferred — fastest accurate quoting |
| SLDPRT / CATPART / PRT | Native CAD | Converted in-house; model history not needed |
| DXF / DWG | 2D flat patterns, profiles | Great for laser cutting and bending |
| PDF with dimensions | 2D drawing | Workable for most sheet metal parts |
| STL | Concept geometry | Approximate; confirm tolerances separately |
| Images / hand sketches | Early concept | We redraw to CAD and confirm before quoting |
What a Complete RFQ Looks Like (Example)
Checklist Before You Send
- Drawing attached and readable (STEP/PDF preferred)
- Material grade and thickness stated
- Quantity and price-break volumes given
- Finish specified (RAL, plating type, or bare with edge tolerance)
- Critical dimensions and tolerances marked on the drawing
- Documentation requirements stated (certificates, CMM report)
- Deadline and any delivery terms mentioned
- NDA needed? Say so — we sign before you send anything
Ready to send your RFQ?
Upload your drawing on the quote form — an engineer reviews it and returns pricing plus DFM feedback within 3 business hours. MOQ from 1 pc, NDA on request.
FAQ
What file format should I send for a metal part quote?
STEP or IGES 3D plus a dimensioned PDF is ideal. DXF and DWG work well for 2D work. No CAD? A clear PDF or sketch with key dimensions is enough — we redraw and confirm before quoting.
Can you quote from a photo or sample part?
Yes. Send the photo or a physical sample and we produce a drawing, confirm material and tolerances, then quote. A drawing is faster, but a sample works.
What information delays a quote the most?
Missing material specification, missing quantity, and unspecified finish are the top three. Each one forces either an assumption or a follow-up — and assumptions on finish are the most common source of quote surprises.
Do you charge for DFM feedback?
No. Every incoming drawing gets a free engineering review covering process route, material, tooling and finish implications, returned with the quotation within 3 business hours.
Is my drawing kept confidential?
Yes. We sign NDAs before receiving drawings and never share customer designs. Drawings are stored internally for quotation and production only.
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