To buy custom sheet metal parts online, start by uploading your 3D model. Then choose the part’s material (and its thickness), any finish to apply, and the quantity you need produced.

On an automated quoting platform, you will then get an automatic manufacturability test for your design along with an estimated price for the order.

If the quote is acceptable, you can then submit the order, pay for it, and arrange freight for the finished product.

On Komacut, getting the quote takes about 30 seconds (after you submit the information). A single order can cover laser cutting, bending, threading, finishing, and engraving.

The ordering itself is quick. If there are delays, it’s usually because of an issue with the steps around the order. It could be a file format the system can’t read, a design that can’t be manufactured as-is because a hole was placed too close to a bend, a finish that isn’t compatible with the part or its material, or freight that was unplanned.

To help you avoid these delays, this guide goes over each step in the ordering process and everything you should double check before paying.

What Kind of Parts Can You Order Online?

It depends on the manufacturer. Instant-quote platforms can only give you a price for parts the company behind them can actually produce.

On Komacut, this includes flat and bent sheet metal parts plus the secondary operations listed in the table below. You can also add CNC turned parts and standard hardware (nuts, bolts, washers) to your order.

For the full tables, go to our Process Tolerances page. For more details on finishes and when to use each, see Types of Metal Surface Finishes.

Every quote you get is saved to your RFQ dashboard so you can easily retrieve it, download it, forward it to a colleague, or place an order at a later time.

If your part needs to be reviewed by our engineering team, it goes through our request for quote (RFQ) process rather than an instant quote. Saved quotes expire after about 30 days.

Step 1: Prepare Your CAD File

Komacut can quote designs from 3D models submitted in STEP, STP, or SLDPRT format (SolidWorks files up to 2024). We can’t provide instant quotes on 2D DXF drawings because the system can only read thickness, bends, holes, and threads on 3D geometry. If your part has threaded holes, you’ll also need to upload a 2D drawing that specifies them.

If you’re not sure how to export your file so it’s suitable for an instant quote, see What Is a STEP File?

Before uploading your file, go over the following:

Make sure your part is modeled using your CAD program’s sheet metal module. Otherwise, it may be drawn as a solid block that the quoting platform can’t unfold into a flat pattern. So you’ll either get an error message or a quote that comes back wrong.

Check all features that are placed near bends. Slots and holes that are too close to a bend risk distorting when the part is formed. If you’re not sure how to space them, consult our laser-cut parts design guide.

Use the right sheet standard. Our facility in China stocks metric sheet (corresponding to GB and JIS grades), while our Mexico facility stocks imperial gauges (corresponding to ASTM grades). For a breakdown of grades, check out our materials page.

Run a check before submitting. Our free Sheet Metal DFM Check will catch common design problems.

If you don’t have a 3D model for your part (or your model won’t unfold), Komacut’s 3D CAD drafting service will convert your design to a quotable sheet metal part, with bends and flat pattern. It costs $15 per drawing and requires a turnaround of 5 business days.

Step 2: Get an Instant Quote

Upload your 3D model in a suitable file format (STEP and STP are the most widely accepted). Then select your part’s material, thickness, finish, and tolerance class, along with the quantity you want to order.

The platform will then show you a 3D and flat view of your part, its weight, how many units can fit on a sheet, and any design errors that were flagged.

You can play around with these inputs and see how the price changes when you update them.

What Affects the Price of Your Part

The biggest variable is quantity. High volume orders will have a much cheaper price per part.

Using prices quoted in September 2026, a single flat 2.0 mm cold-rolled steel plate comes up to $27.98. Up the quantity to 100 plates and the price drops all the way down to $5.33 per piece. At 1,000 units, it goes down to $4.69 each.

An order of 25 parts made from 2.0 mm 304 stainless steel with a powder coat finish returned a quote of $10.44 per piece. At 2,500 units, the price went down to $6.03 per piece.

That’s the main driving factor. But the type of material, how thick it is, surface finishes, and tolerance class all have an influence on the price. High precision tolerances are more expensive, so default to standard unless there’s a good reason not to.

Another tip: get quotes for three or four different quantities before ordering. That way, you might find that it’s more cost-effective to batch orders instead of placing multiple small orders. If you’ll eventually need spares or test-fit parts, adding them to the first order is usually cheaper.

Use our weight calculator and nesting calculator to estimate part weight and how many parts fit on a sheet before you quote. And check out the sheet metal fabrication cost guide for a more detailed breakdown of the different cost factors.

Step 3: Place the Order and Pay

When you get a suitable quote, place your order.

At this point, your options vary depending on the platform. But here’s what you can expect when using Komacut:

Pricing is Ex Works, and you can either add freight right on the platform or enter your own forwarder or express account. To make repeat orders easier, you can save several forwarders and delivery addresses.

You can pay online using one of the several methods available. You’ll get a notification when your payment is processed.

Find your production status and tracking on the Orders dashboard. That’s also where you can download your shipping documents.

Save the part to My Parts to save time on reorders. Saved parts can be added to new orders or RFQs without having to get them quoted each time.

If you’re ordering a prototype, check out our post on how sheet metal prototyping works to see what changes when you move from a prototype run to production volumes.

Step 4: Choose Where Your Part Ships From

Komacut manufactures parts in Guangzhou, China and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. You can choose the production location when requesting a quote. If you’re based in the US or Canada, the location will affect transit time and duties.

If the parts are being shipped to a US or Canadian site, calculate the full landed cost (including freight and duty) for both production locations so you can compare the total cost, not just the price per unit.

For overseas shipments, the shipping from China guide will explain Incoterms and forwarders, and our packaging calculator will help you estimate carton count and weight.

How to Compare Online Sheet Metal Suppliers

Start by getting quotes from at least two or three suppliers. But look beyond the price and ask the following questions to get the full picture:

For a list of North American suppliers (including what each one does), consult our page of the Top 21 North American Sheet Metal Suppliers. If you’re getting turned parts too, see our guide to buying CNC turned parts online.

Frequently Asked Questions