Subcontract laser cutting has no fixed price per square metre or per kilogram. Two sheet parts of the same thickness can differ in price several times over simply because their geometry differs. The reason is that a laser-cutting price is calculated not from the part itself but from the machine time, material and job preparation needed to make it.
This article sets out what a laser-cutting quote is made of, how each element moves the price, and how to compare the quotes you receive on a like-for-like basis. We also explain how small changes to your drawing can reduce cost, and what information to share for a fast and accurate quote.
What a laser-cutting quote is made of
A professional laser-cutting quote has three main components: material, machine time and job preparation. Material cost is set by the weight and grade of the sheet on which the parts are nested. Machine time is the sum of the cutting path length, the cutting speed for the given thickness and the number of pierces. Job preparation covers the fixed costs repeated for every order: checking the drawing, preparing the nesting plan, setting up the machine and loading and unloading sheet.
On top of these come any secondary operations requested — bending, welding, deburring or surface treatment — plus packing and delivery. Knowing which of these items a quote includes is the first condition for comparing quotes properly.
The main price drivers
The table below summarises the factors that move the price most and the steps that keep each one under control. Each is explained in detail in the sections that follow.
| Factor | Effect on price | How to keep it down |
|---|---|---|
| Material grade | Stainless and aluminium cost markedly more than carbon steel | Use carbon or galvanized steel unless the application needs more |
| Thickness | Thicker material cuts slower, so machine time rises | Do not specify thicker sheet than the strength calculation requires |
| Cut length | Total contour length sets machine time directly | Reduce decorative detail and unnecessary internal cut-outs |
| Pierce count | Every hole is a separate pierce and costs time | Use slots or fewer holes instead of many small ones |
| Assist gas | Nitrogen cutting costs more than oxygen cutting | State clearly what edge you need before painting or welding |
| Quantity | Set-up costs are spread over the batch | Combine orders and share your annual requirement |
| Nesting and scrap | Unused sheet area is paid for | Design part sizes around standard sheet formats |
| Secondary operations | Bending, welding and finishing are extra operations | Keep them in one plant to avoid transport and tolerance loss |
Material grade and thickness
Carbon steel (hot-rolled, cold-rolled, pickled) is the most economical material to laser cut. Galvanized and Zn-Al-Mg coated sheet are close to it in price. Stainless steel and aluminium cost markedly more, both for the material itself and because they must be cut with nitrogen. Whether the material comes from the supplier's stock or from you also changes the price: in the second case you pay for processing only, but responsibility for material suitability and scrap passes to you.
Thickness is one of the strongest price drivers, and its effect is not linear. Cutting speed falls quickly as thickness rises; moving from 3 mm to 12 mm lengthens machine time far more than the increase in thickness suggests. On thick material machine power is decisive. High-power fiber lasers cut thick plate faster and cleaner, which lowers the cost per part. Our 20 kW fiber laser cuts carbon steel up to 30 mm at laser quality; above that thickness, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting are the more economical choice.
Cut length and part geometry
Most laser-cutting time is spent moving the head along the part contour, so the total length of the internal and external contours sets the price directly. Of two designs that do the same job, the one with the shorter, simpler contour is always cheaper.
Tight radii, sharp internal corners and frequent changes of direction also slow the cut. Decorative detail with no functional purpose, unnecessary internal cut-outs and very small features add cost without adding value. On rectangular parts where common-line cutting can be used, separating adjacent edges with a single cut reduces both time and scrap.
Pierce count
For every new contour, the laser first pierces the material before it starts cutting. Piercing takes time independent of the cut itself, especially on thick material. A plate with hundreds of holes costs noticeably more than one of the same outline with only a few.
Reducing the number of holes, merging small, closely spaced holes into slots, or leaving some holes to the assembly stage can lower the cost. Which approach is cheaper depends on the part; for designs with many holes we recommend discussing it with your supplier at the quoting stage.
Assist gas and edge quality
Carbon steel can be cut with oxygen or nitrogen. Oxygen cutting is cheaper but leaves a thin oxide layer on the cut edge, which must be removed before painting or some welding applications. Nitrogen cutting costs more but gives an oxide-free, bright edge ready for painting or welding. Stainless steel and aluminium are cut with nitrogen for edge quality and corrosion resistance.
Because nitrogen cutting needs high laser power, many plants limit it to thin and medium carbon steel. On our 20 kW fiber laser we cut carbon steel up to 20 mm with nitrogen-based mixed gas; with this nitrogen-rich mix containing a little oxygen, thick parts also get a clean edge with minimal oxidation and sharp dimensional detail. These edges give far more consistent results in priming, painting, coating and galvanizing.
That is why a quote request should say what happens to the part after cutting: will it be painted, welded, galvanized, or used on a visible surface? When the edge requirement is clear, the supplier chooses the right gas and unnecessary cost is avoided.
Quantity, nesting and scrap
Drawing preparation, nesting, machine set-up and sheet loading cost the same regardless of quantity. On a one-off prototype the whole of that cost lands on a single part; on an order of one hundred it is shared across one hundred. Unit price therefore falls sharply as quantity rises. Combining recurring needs into larger orders, or sharing your annual forecast with your supplier, is one of the most effective ways to lower unit cost.
Pricing is usually based on the sheet area the parts occupy, so the part of the sheet that cannot be used — the scrap — is reflected in the cost. Designing part sizes to use standard sheet formats (for example 1500×3000 mm or 2000×6000 mm) efficiently, and ordering different parts of the same thickness together, improves nesting and lowers cost.
Secondary operations
Most parts go through further operations after laser cutting: bending, welding, deburring, tapping or surface treatment. Having these done in different workshops means transport cost, extra lead time and accumulating tolerance deviations — and when something goes wrong, it is unclear who is responsible.
Doing cutting and secondary operations in one plant removes these risks. In our plant, laser-cut parts are bent on a 1,000-ton press brake up to 8 m long and welded and assembled where needed. Tube and profile parts are cut on a dedicated tube laser unit.
What to check when comparing quotes
Quotes from different suppliers should not be compared on the total alone. Make sure the following are defined the same way in every quote:
Is material included? Are the grade and origin stated, and can a material certificate be supplied? Are thickness tolerance and edge quality the same? A part cut with oxygen and one cut with nitrogen are not the same product. Is dimensional accuracy stated? Our cutting accuracy is ±0.1 mm. Are secondary operations, packing and delivery included? Is the lead time realistic and in writing?
Once these items are aligned, a quote that looked cheaper often turns out to cover less. A proper comparison protects both your budget and your project schedule.
What to send for a fast, accurate quote
The speed and accuracy of a quote depend on how complete your information is. An ideal quote request includes:
Drawing: a DXF or DWG file is best, as cut length and pierce count can be read directly; we also work from PDF drawings and dimensioned sketches. Material and thickness: the grade (for example S235JR, cold-rolled, AISI 304) and thickness. Quantity: the quantity for this order and, if known, the recurring requirement. Edge and use: whether the part will be painted, welded or used on a visible surface. Secondary operations: any bending, welding or surface treatment needed. Lead time and delivery address: when and where the parts are needed.
With this information our technical team confirms price and lead time and, where useful, comes back with design suggestions that lower cost. You can send your drawing through the quote form.