There is no single answer to "what does laser cutting cost?" because the price is calculated per part. But once you know what drives it, you can compare quotes properly and often cut cost with small changes to the drawing. This guide explains that calculation for anyone sourcing subcontract laser cutting.
The six things that set the price
**1. Material.** Black steel is the cheapest input; cold-rolled and galvanized a little above it, stainless and aluminium clearly above. If we supply the material it is in the price; if you bring it, you pay processing only.
**2. Thickness.** As thickness rises, cutting speed falls and machine time grows. The step from 3 mm to 12 mm is not linear — on thick plate machine power decides. A 20 kW fiber laser runs far faster at 15–30 mm than lower-power machines, which is why thick parts cost less per piece here.
**3. Cut length.** Laser is charged per metre of contour. Two designs of the same part with different total contour length get different prices; decorative detail and internal cut-outs add cost.
**4. Pierce count.** Every hole starts with a pierce — punching through the material before cutting — and pierces take time. A plate with 200 holes costs noticeably more than the same outline with 20. Whether holes should be lasered or drilled later depends on the case; ask.
**5. Quantity.** Machine set-up, sheet loading and nesting are one-off costs; the more parts, the smaller the share each carries. Unit price differs sharply between 1 and 50 pieces.
**6. Assist gas.** Carbon steel is cut with oxygen (cheaper, light oxide edge) or nitrogen (dearer, clean paint-ready edge). Stainless and aluminium need nitrogen. Tell us the edge quality you expect; the gas choice moves the price.
What to send for an accurate quote
Best is a **DXF or DWG**: cut length and pierce count are read directly and the price firms up in minutes. Otherwise a PDF drawing or dimensioned sketch — even a clear photo is enough for a preliminary quote. In every case add three things: **material, thickness, quantity.** State the edge quality (to be painted? welded?) and the lead time you need and the quote comes right first time.
Customers in Kayseri OSB usually collect the same day; we ship regularly to the neighbouring provinces. You can also upload the drawing to the AI assistant on this site for a weight and first assessment — our technical team then confirms price and date.