If you are ordering laser cut metal parts for the first time, start with three things: a drawing, the material thickness and the quantity. Shug offers an online instant quoting tool for laser cutting parts, alongside help with drawings and other enquiries at our Mooroolbark workshop in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. This guide explains how to prepare your job.

1. Choose a material within our cutting range

• Mild steel: up to 10 mm thick
• Stainless steel: up to 3 mm thick
• Aluminium: up to 2 mm thick

Include the material and thickness with your enquiry. If you are unsure whether your drawing suits the material, ask us before placing the job. Our laser cutting service page explains the service and our capabilities.

2. Send a vector drawing

We accept AI, EPS, DWG and DXF files, with DXF preferred. Supply the drawing at its finished size, using a 1:1 scale. Millimetres are preferred. A photograph or screenshot is not a ready-to-cut vector file; if that is all you have, contact us about a quotation for file conversion.

3. Check the cut paths

Remove dimensions, notes, borders and unused objects from the drawing. Convert text to outlines and check that cut contours are closed. For signs and stencils, add bridges where internal pieces need to stay attached. The design guidelines include illustrated examples of these checks.

4. Tell us the quantity

Send one drawing of each different part and state how many copies you need. Avoid pre-arranging repeated parts across a sheet: we arrange the parts for cutting. Give each drawing a clear filename so your quantities can be matched to the correct part.

5. Get an instant quote or ask for help

Upload your parts for an instant laser cutting quote. For drawing help, additional fabrication or questions about timing, contact Shug about your project with the material, thickness and quantity. You can also read our laser cutting FAQ or browse the work gallery for examples.