An acrylic fabrication RFQ gets an accurate quote in one pass when it contains seven items: a dimensioned drawing or CAD file (STEP/DXF), material grade (cast or extruded), thickness, quantity with future volumes, tolerance callouts on critical features only, surface/edge finish requirements, and the destination for shipping. RFQs missing grade, finish or tolerance typically add one to three days of clarification before a price is possible.
We answer every RFQ within 12 hours — but “answer” is only a firm price when the request is complete. This is the exact information our estimators need, why each item moves the price, and the levers you control.
The 7-Item RFQ Checklist
1. Drawing or CAD file. Best: STEP (3D) or DXF (2D profiles) plus a PDF with dimensions and notes. Workable: dimensioned sketch or even photos + key dimensions for simple parts — we’ll return a fabrication drawing for approval (1–2 days added). Not quotable: “a box about this big” with no numbers.
2. Material grade. Cast or extruded changes cost, machining behavior and joint reliability — if you don’t specify, we choose by application and state the assumption on the quote. The 60-second guide → <a href=”/blog/cast-vs-extruded-acrylic-fabrication/”>cast vs extruded acrylic</a>
3. Thickness — and whether it’s functional. “10 mm” is a different requirement from “10 mm, must slide in an 10.5 mm slot.” Flag thickness-critical fits so we spec extruded or plan a skim pass.
4. Quantity, including honest future volume. Setup (programming, fixturing, first-article) is amortized across the run — the same part often drops 30–50% per unit from qty 1 to qty 50. If a prototype may become 500/year, say so: we’ll tool and price the prototype on the production path. MOQ policy: production starts at 20 pieces per design or specification; pre-production samples and one-offs are quoted separately.
5. Tolerances on critical features only. Blanket ±0.05 mm makes everything expensive; general ±0.2 mm with 3 flagged criticals prices right. What acrylic can actually hold → <a href=”/blog/acrylic-cnc-machining-tolerances/”>acrylic CNC machining tolerances</a>
6. Finish requirements, face by face. “All edges diamond-polished” vs “front edge polished, rest machined” can move a part 10–20%. Same with protective-film-on delivery, frosting, or print. Options → polishing services
7. Destination and timing. Sea vs air vs courier changes packing design (we crate large panels differently for LCL). A real deadline lets us quote standard 7 days vs expedited honestly.
What Actually Drives the Price of an Acrylic Part
| Cost driver | Buyer’s lever |
|---|---|
| Machine time (CNC/laser hours) | Simplify geometry; nest-friendly flat profiles |
| Setups & fixturing | Volume honesty; combine parts into one order |
| Tolerance & inspection | Flag criticals only |
| Edge/surface finishing | Cosmetic faces only |
| Material grade & thickness | Don’t over-thickness; see span table → <a href=”/blog/acrylic-machine-guard-thickness/”>guard thickness</a> |
| Yield/risk (thin walls, sharp corners) | R ≥ 3 mm internal corners, walls ≥ 2 mm |
| Packing & freight | Realistic mode; stackable panel sizes |
Note what’s not on the list: haggling. On a complete RFQ our margin is already set by competition; the 10–30% swings live in the table above, in your control.
Red Flags in Quotes You Receive (From Any Supplier)
- No material grade stated. You may get extruded where cast was needed — cheap now, crazed joints later.
- No mention of annealing on bonded or tight-tolerance machined parts. The failure is being deferred, not avoided.
- A price with no assumptions listed against an incomplete RFQ. Somebody guessed; you’ll meet the guess at inspection.
- Suspiciously low tooling/setup on “prototype” pricing that doesn’t survive to production quantities.
A proper quote states: material grade + brand, process route, tolerance commitment, finish per face, packing method, lead time, and validity period. That’s our template — hold every supplier to it.
What Happens After You Send an RFQ (Our Side)
- 1. Within 12 hours: quote, or a single consolidated clarification list (never drip-fed questions).
- 2. Engineering note included when we see money spent without function — over-tolerance, over-thickness, polish on hidden faces.
- 3. First article photos + dimension report on flagged criticals before the full run ships. QC process → our QC process
- 4. Production lead time 7 days from drawing approval; samples 48 hours.
FAQ
Q: Can I get a quote without a CAD file? A: Yes — a dimensioned sketch or photos with key measurements works for most parts; we return a fabrication drawing for your sign-off before cutting. Complex 3D geometry does need STEP.
Q: Why do quotes for the same part vary so much between suppliers? A: Usually the suppliers assumed different things: grade, finish, inspection level, packing. Compare the stated assumptions, not just the number — a lower price with no assumptions listed is the expensive one.
Q: What’s your minimum order? A: Production starts at 20 pieces per design or specification; pre-production samples and one-offs are quoted separately. Prototypes and one-offs are welcome; they’re how production orders start.
Q: How fast can I have parts? A: Quote in 12 hours; samples in 48 hours; production in 7 days plus freight. Air/courier options quoted alongside sea for urgent runs.
Ready to price a part? Send whatever you have — drawing, STEP file, or sketch — and get a one-pass quote or a single clarification list within 12 hours.
Have a drawing or a question?
Send whatever you have — drawing, STEP file or sketch — and get a quote or DFM feedback within 12 hours.