How to Get Instant Pricing from SendCutSend

Updated

SendCutSend gives you instant pricing when you upload a supported CAD file—STEP or DXF—directly on its site. You don't need to request a quote or wait for a sales reply: the pricing engine reads your geometry and returns a price immediately. This works best when your part is a single flat or machined design that fits within the service's size and material limits. If you don't have a CAD file, you can start from one of SendCutSend's templates instead.

What you need before uploading

Have these ready so the instant quote reflects the real part:

  • A supported file: STEP or DXF, per the site's upload prompt.
  • Final geometry: material thickness, bend lines, holes, and cut paths already defined in the file.
  • Material and finish choices: SendCutSend stocks 175+ materials, and services like anodizing, plating, and powder coating change the price.
  • Quantity: pricing scales with the number of parts.
  • Part size within limits: check the Min/Max Part Size Chart and Processing Size Chart before uploading, since out-of-range parts won't price correctly.

Step-by-step: upload for instant pricing

  1. Go to the SendCutSend site and choose Get Started. The homepage prompt is "Upload now for instant pricing."
  2. Upload your STEP or DXF file. The system parses the geometry to build the quote.
  3. Select your material. Pick from the in-stock options; the choice drives both price and lead time.
  4. Choose thickness and quantity. These are the two variables that move the price most.
  5. Add services if needed. Bending, countersinking, tapping, hardware insertion, dimple forming, welding, and surface options (tumbling, deburring, anodizing, plating, powder coating, media blasting) are all selectable and priced in.
  6. Review the instant price. The quote appears without a manual review step.
  7. Place the order. Parts ship in as little as 24 hours once the order is confirmed.

Expected result: a firm price for your exact file, material, thickness, quantity, and add-on services—no back-and-forth email.

If you don't have a CAD file

SendCutSend offers a no-CAD path: "No CAD? Start with a template!" You pick a template, adjust it to your dimensions, and it becomes the file used for pricing. This is the fastest route for simple brackets, plates, and similar flat parts where you don't want to model from scratch.

What drives the price up or down

Factor Effect on price
Material 175+ options; exotic or thicker stock costs more
Thickness Thicker sheet raises cutting time and material cost
Quantity Per-part price drops as quantity rises
Bending Adds a forming step; accuracy within 1 degree or better
Surface finishing Anodizing (5 colors), plating, powder coating (15 options), tumbling, deburring, media blasting each add cost
Hardware features Countersinking, dimple forming, tapping, hardware insertion add operations
Welding Closing bent seams adds labor

Common snags

  • Wrong file type: only STEP and DXF are accepted for instant pricing. Export from your CAD tool in one of these formats.
  • Part outside size limits: if the part exceeds the Min/Max Part Size Chart or Processing Size Chart, it may not price or may need a different process.
  • Missing bend information: for bent parts, the file needs clear bend lines, or the quote won't match what you expect.
  • Assuming a finish is included: anodizing, plating, and powder coating are separate selections—leave them off and the price reflects raw cut parts only.

When this workflow fits

Use instant upload pricing when you have a finished STEP or DXF and want a fast, self-serve quote for laser cutting, waterjet, CNC routing, CNC machining, or bending. If your part needs engineering review, unusual tolerances, or falls outside the published size charts, expect to check the guidelines pages or contact SendCutSend rather than relying on the instant number alone.