Questions about laser cutting sheet metal

Who are you, and where do you ship from?

Cut It Fast is a made-to-order sheet metal laser cutting service: upload a file, see the price at once and pay up front. We cut mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium PA11 for businesses and private customers, from a single piece (minimum order €11.21 excl. VAT). Collect your parts in Katowice or we send them by courier anywhere in Poland and to EU countries.

Do I need to log in or register to get a quote?

No. You can get a quote and place an order without creating an account or logging in. We link the order to the email address you give us.

Can I upload several files at once?

Yes. Upload several files at once (DXF, DWG, SVG, PDF, STEP and others) or a single ZIP file. Each part gets its own price, and you order them together in one order.

What thicknesses do you cut?

Mild steel 1.5, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm; stainless steel 3 and 4 mm; aluminium PA11 4 mm. We do not cut other thicknesses - the full list is on the prices page.

How much does it cost?

Material + cutting per metre + €0.27 per pierce (every hole and every separate contour) + a handling fee of €5.72 per line item and €0.69 per piece. Minimum order €11.21 excl. VAT. Prices are excl. VAT; we add 23% VAT. The price per piece falls with quantity: the €5.72 handling fee is spread over more pieces, and larger quantities get a discount (from 10 pcs −10%, from 50 pcs −20%, from 200 pcs −30%, from 1000 pcs −40%).

How do I prepare a file?

DXF in millimetres, scale 1:1, closed contours, no dimensions or drawing frames. We also accept DWG, SVG and PDF and convert them ourselves. We can quote a flat 3D part (STEP, STL, OBJ, 3MF) straight from the model - unfold bent or milled parts into a flat DXF in your own software.

What if there is a problem with my file?

We check it before quoting. If something fails the check, we propose a fix and show what we changed - you approve it.

When can I collect my order?

An order paid by 11:00 (Polish time) on a working day is usually ready for collection the next working day. Occasionally a technical issue (such as a machine fault) adds one more working day. Orders paid later are processed in order of payment - we email you when yours is ready. Collection in Katowice or courier delivery.

Do you issue invoices?

Yes. For a company we issue a VAT invoice - choose “Company invoice” when you order and enter its tax ID (NIP or EU VAT number). For a private person we issue a sales document in line with the regulations (invoice or receipt). Payment is always up front.

Can I order laser-cut parts without creating an account?

Yes. You can order and pay without an account or a password: you give an email address and your name, plus a delivery address and phone number if you choose courier delivery. We link the order to that email address, and if you want to, you can log in with it later using a code we send to your inbox. You follow the order on its own status page. For a company we issue a VAT invoice once you enter its tax ID (NIP or EU VAT number).

Can I pay with BLIK? Which payment methods do you accept?

Yes. BLIK is the first method at checkout when you pay in zloty: you enter a code from your banking app. You pay up front, before production starts. Payments are handled by payment operators: Przelewy24 (BLIK, online bank transfer, card), PayPal and Revolut (Revolut Pay, card, Apple Pay, Google Pay); a traditional bank transfer is also possible. You can pay in zloty, and on the English version of the website also in euro. The methods available at a given moment are shown on the payment screen. BLIK and Przelewy24 work in zloty only; in euro you can pay with PayPal, Revolut or a bank transfer.

How much does one laser-cut piece cost, and is it worth ordering just one?

You can order a single piece: there is no minimum quantity, only a minimum order of €11.21 excl. VAT. Example: a bracket 184 × 92, 4 holes Ø 8 cut from mild steel 3 mm costs €9.35 excl. VAT as one piece and €3.83 per piece when you order 10, because the handling fee per line item (€5.72) is spread over all the pieces. If your parts come to less than the minimum, you pay the difference up to the minimum, so a small part is best ordered in several pieces or together with other parts.

Do you ship to Germany, Austria and other EU countries?

Yes, by courier to these EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden. A parcel costs from €6.51 excl. VAT, depending on the country. You see the exact price and delivery time (at most 8 working days from dispatch) when you pick the country, before you pay. One parcel weighs up to 18 kg, or up to 15 kg abroad. A heavier order is sent in several parcels, each at the same price. Within Poland a courier parcel costs €3.66 excl. VAT, and collecting your parts in Katowice is free.

How fast will I get my parts?

An order paid by 11:00 (Polish time) on a working day is usually ready the next working day. Working days are Monday–Friday, excluding public holidays and announced production breaks. Orders paid later or at the weekend are processed in order of payment with no fixed date, and we email you when they are ready. A machine fault can add one working day. There is no express option and no surcharge for a faster date. Collection in Katowice is on the day your parts are ready; with a courier, add the delivery time.

What if I don't have a CAD drawing?

You don't need one. Pick a ready-made shape in the cut-to-size catalogue (rectangle, circle, ring, mounting plate, washer, bracket, nameplate and more), type in the dimensions and see the price. Or draw the part in the DXF Editor in your browser, with a mouse or a finger. For a sketch on paper, a line drawing or a logo, upload a photo: the editor traces the outline and you give one number, the width of the part. A photo of a finished part won't work, because perspective distorts the dimensions. The editor and converter are free, with no account.

Which DXF files do you accept (version, polylines, splines, layers, text)?

DXF files in versions from R12 to 2018, text or binary. We read lines, arcs, circles and polylines (arcs in polylines stay arcs); splines and ellipses are converted to arcs and line segments, and blocks are exploded. We cut every layer except descriptive ones: layers with DIM, TEXT, NOTE, TITLE, WYMIAR or RAMKA in the name (Polish for “dimension” and “frame”) are suggested for skipping. Text (TEXT, MTEXT) and dimensions are always skipped, so convert lettering you want cut into outlines. Units come from the file header (mm or inches), and contours must be closed.

My file won't upload or I can't see a price - what should I do?

Most often the file has no closed outline, is larger than 3000 × 1500 mm, has a detail smaller than 10 mm, or has over 5,000 points (usually a traced scan). The quote then stops and shows what to fix; an open outline can be closed with one click in the DXF Editor. A format we can't read (such as CDR, EPS, IGES or a native CAD file) gets an export recipe in 2-3 steps. The price appears once you choose a material. Still stuck? Check your file for free, or write to us through the Contact page.

Can I download the file that goes to the laser before I pay?

Yes. The payment step has a “Cutting file” section with a “Download DXF” button: it is exactly the file we price from and send to the laser, and you can download it before you pay. Earlier, you see every fix on a before-and-after drawing and decide on each one yourself; until you have settled them all, you can't move on to payment. Your original stays untouched. DXF and SVG files from the editor and the converter are free to download too, with no account and no order.

Will the cut edges be sharp?

Stainless steel (3 and 4 mm) and aluminium PA11 (4 mm) are cut with compressed air, and the edges show discolouration and burr. They need extra finishing, and we say so in your quote before you order. We do not finish edges: you get the part straight from the laser. We recommend vibratory finishing, grinding or deburring, which you can do yourself or have done at a finishing shop. Mild steel is cut with oxygen: the edge has no burr (even at 5 mm), but it can show oxide scale and discolouration, and from 3 mm spot marks and slight discolouration where the sheet rested on the teeth of the cutting grate.

Do you cut thin sheet (under 1.5 mm), 2 mm aluminium or 1-2 mm stainless steel?

No. We cut only the sheets in our price list: mild steel 1.5–5 mm, stainless steel 3 and 4 mm and aluminium PA11 4 mm. We do not quote anything thinner than that, including mild steel under 1.5 mm, stainless steel of 1-2 mm and 2 mm aluminium; in the quote you can choose only the listed sheets. We also do no bending, welding, tapping or painting - cutting only.

Which is cheaper: laser, plasma or waterjet cutting?

It depends on thickness and material. For thin and medium sheet, laser is usually the most accurate and the cheapest per part: a narrow kerf (0.15 mm) and small, precise holes. Plasma can be cheaper for thick steel, but it cuts wider and less accurately. Waterjet cuts almost any material, even very thick, without heating it, but it is slower and costs more. We cut with a laser only: mild steel 1.5–5 mm, stainless steel 3 and 4 mm, aluminium PA11 4 mm. We do not offer plasma or waterjet cutting.

More in the guide: Laser, Plasma or Waterjet: Which Is Cheaper?

Is stainless steel magnetic?

Our stainless steel, 1.4301 (AISI 304), is practically non-magnetic because it is an austenitic grade. Slight magnetism can appear after bending or other cold working and does not mean a different grade. A magnet does stick to our mild steel, while aluminium PA11 is not magnetic at all.

How big and how small a part can you cut?

The largest part is 3000 × 1500 mm (also after rotating it); we do not cut larger parts in pieces. The smaller side of a detail must be at least 10 mm, because smaller parts fall through the cutting table grate. A round hole should be at least 1.0 × the sheet thickness in diameter, and the bridge between holes at least 1.0 × the thickness (at the edge, 1.5 mm); if one is too small, we flag it in the quote and ask what to do. A drawing can have up to 5,000 points.

Why is the price per piece higher for 1 piece than for 10?

The €5.72 handling fee is spread over all the pieces in the order - at 10 pcs that is €0.57 per piece instead of €5.72. Larger quantities also get a discount (from 10 pcs −10%, from 50 pcs −20%, from 200 pcs −30%, from 1000 pcs −40%) on the other components (material, cutting, pierces).

Do the prices include VAT?

No - all prices are excl. VAT. We add VAT when you order, and you receive the sales document (invoice or receipt) at the email address you gave us.

Where does the material price come from?

From the area of the rectangle around the part (not the area of the part itself) multiplied by the sheet price per m². That price already includes the scrap around the part, which stays on the sheet either way.

Is there a quantity discount?

Yes, within one line item: from 10 pcs −10%, from 50 pcs −20%, from 200 pcs −30%, from 1000 pcs −40%. The percentage comes off the price per piece (material, cutting, pierces, removal and packing); the per-item handling fee is not discounted, it is simply spread over more pieces.

Can I order a single piece?

Yes, from one piece. The minimum order is €11.21 excl. VAT. The price per piece falls with quantity because the handling fee (€5.72 per line item) is spread over more pieces, and larger quantities get a discount (from 10 pcs −10%, from 50 pcs −20%, from 200 pcs −30%, from 1000 pcs −40%).

How thick can you cut?

Mild steel 1.5–5 mm (five thicknesses), stainless steel 3 and 4 mm, aluminium PA11 4 mm only - all eight sheets are listed above.

Oxygen or compressed air: what difference does it make?

We cut mild steel with oxygen: the edge has no burr, but it can show oxide scale and discolouration, and from 3 mm spot marks from the teeth of the cutting grate. We cut stainless steel and aluminium PA11 with compressed air (a dedicated 15 kW screw compressor, 16 bar): the edges can then show discolouration and burr, so they need extra finishing.

Where do these prices come from?

From the same calculation as every quote: the area of the rectangle around the part, the length of the cut and the number of holes. The full mechanism and a worked example are on the price page.

What grade of mild steel will I get?

DC01 (1.5 mm), S235 (2–5 mm).

Does the edge need finishing?

Stainless steel and aluminium PA11 (cut with compressed air): yes, the edges show discolouration and burr. Mild steel (cut with oxygen): no burr, but it can show oxide scale, discolouration and, from 3 mm, spot marks from the teeth of the cutting grate. We do no further edge finishing - you get the part straight from the laser.

How thick can you cut?

The thickest is 5 mm. We only cut the thicknesses in the table above.

What grade of stainless steel will I get?

1.4301 / 2B (NBZ, X1X2) (3–4 mm).

How thick can you cut?

The thickest is 4 mm. We only cut the thicknesses in the table above.

What grade of aluminium PA11 will I get?

PA11 / AlMg3 / EN AW-5754 H111 (4 mm).

What is the minimum hole size in this sheet?

1.5 mm - for anything smaller, we ask whether to enlarge it, remove it or keep it.

What if my hole is smaller?

When you get your quote, we ask whether to enlarge it to the minimum diameter, remove it, or leave it as it is at your own risk.

How much does one piece cost?

The example bracket above costs €8.86. Every order has a minimum of €11.21 excl. VAT.

What is the minimum hole size in this sheet?

2 mm - for anything smaller, we ask whether to enlarge it, remove it or keep it.

How much does one piece cost?

The example bracket above costs €9.00. Every order has a minimum of €11.21 excl. VAT.

What is the minimum hole size in this sheet?

3 mm - for anything smaller, we ask whether to enlarge it, remove it or keep it.

How much does one piece cost?

The example bracket above costs €9.35. Every order has a minimum of €11.21 excl. VAT.

What is the minimum hole size in this sheet?

4 mm - for anything smaller, we ask whether to enlarge it, remove it or keep it.

How much does one piece cost?

The example bracket above costs €9.60. Every order has a minimum of €11.21 excl. VAT.

What is the minimum hole size in this sheet?

5 mm - for anything smaller, we ask whether to enlarge it, remove it or keep it.

How much does one piece cost?

The example bracket above costs €9.89. Every order has a minimum of €11.21 excl. VAT.

How much does one piece cost?

The example bracket above costs €11.54. Every order has a minimum of €11.21 excl. VAT.

How much does one piece cost?

The example bracket above costs €12.08. Every order has a minimum of €11.21 excl. VAT.

How much does one piece cost?

The example bracket above costs €10.30. Every order has a minimum of €11.21 excl. VAT.

Do you change my file without asking?

Fixes that Cut It Fast proposes for your file take effect only after you decide: your original stays untouched, and you cannot move on to payment until you have settled the list of fixes. We do only two things without asking, because they don't change the shape to be cut: splines and ellipses become arcs and segments, and dimensions, text and descriptive layers don't go to cutting.

Will I get the corrected file?

Yes. You can see the repaired drawing in a before/after preview while you are getting your quote. Once you have settled all the fixes, you can download the file that goes to the laser (DXF) at the payment step, before you pay. After you order, it is also kept in your part passport.

Which program should I use to prepare the file?

Any CAD program that can save DXF, DWG, SVG or PDF at 1:1 scale. See the format converter.

Why the sheet thickness in particular?

In a narrower hole the pierce heats the metal for longer than the cutting can carry the heat away, and the edge burns out.

Is a 2 mm hole in 3 mm steel impossible?

It's possible at your own risk - choose “Leave it”. We don't guarantee a clean edge in that case.

What about holes that aren't round?

We measure the largest circle that fits inside the hole. We don't enlarge holes like that - you can only remove them or leave them.

What is a web?

The narrowest strip of material between a contour and a hole, or between two holes.

What happens to a web that is too narrow?

It can burn through or warp from the heat of the laser.

Do you check webs before the sheet is chosen?

No - only after. That is why the question appears at the “Material” step, not at the “Shape” step.

Why don't you close every gap yourselves?

Above 0.1 mm we don't guess whether it is an export error or an intentional slit - we ask rather than change the part silently.

My file has only one contour, with a gap in it - will I get a quote?

Yes, straight after you answer “Close it”.

What about an open line that is meant to be a slit?

Answer “Leave as a slit” - it stays in the file unchanged.

Should I offset the contour by half the kerf?

No - draw the target size, the one the finished part should have.

Do you cut larger parts in sections?

No.

Why is there a limit on points?

The machine slows down at every point - a drawing with thousands of points (typically a traced scan) would take disproportionately long.

What about parts smaller than 10 mm?

They fall through the table grate, so they can't be cut safely.

My file is in inches - is that a problem?

No problem - we convert automatically, using the unit in the file header.

Why do you ask for a width?

Only when the file carries no unit and no dimension - without either, we don't know the true scale.

Does a PDF keep its scale?

A vector PDF does - we read the first page. We skip a frame that takes up 90% of the page or more, treating it as the sheet border.

What should I name the layer to be cut?

Anything you like, as long as the name contains none of those words - simplest is CUT.

What about blocks?

We explode blocks (INSERT) into their component shapes ourselves before we process your file.

Do I have to order anything?

No - the check and the quote are free, with no obligation.

Is my file published anywhere?

No - the quote address is random, and only someone who has the link can see the file.

What do you check?

A closed contour, duplicate lines, the minimum hole size and webs, the size of the part and the complexity of the drawing, and the scale and units. You will find the full list of rules, with the thresholds, on the design guidelines page.

How do I calculate the weight of sheet metal?

Multiply length, width and thickness in millimetres, multiply the result by the density in g/cm³ and divide by 1,000,000: you get kilograms. Example: a 1000 × 500 mm sheet (mild steel 3 mm) weighs 11.78 kg.

How much does 1 m² of sheet metal weigh?

At 1 mm thick, as many kilograms as the density in g/cm³: 7.85 g/cm³ for mild steel, 7.9 g/cm³ for stainless steel, 2.66 g/cm³ for aluminium. For a thicker sheet, multiply by the thickness in millimetres, for example mild steel 3 mm: 23.55 kg.

Is aluminium lighter than steel?

Yes. The density of aluminium is 2.66 g/cm³ and of mild steel 7.85 g/cm³, so a blank of the same size and thickness weighs clearly less in aluminium.

Is the calculator's weight the weight of the finished part?

Not exactly. The calculator works from a full rectangle, and a part with holes and cut-outs weighs less. After you upload a file, we work out the weight from the true shape of the part.

How many courier parcels is my order?

One parcel weighs up to 18 kg, or up to 15 kg abroad. A heavier order is sent in several parcels, each at the same price. The calculator shows how many parcels the weight you enter comes to; you see the exact number in your order, after you upload a file.

Can I get a DXF back?

Yes - you can download DXF and SVG from the Cut It Fast converter for free, with no account and without placing an order, once you've confirmed the dimension. The same geometry then goes to the quote without uploading it again.

How do I convert a photo, PNG or JPG to DXF?

Upload the photo or scan in the converter and give one number: the width of the whole part. The converter traces the outlines of the drawing, and you can download DXF and SVG for free, with no account. Sketches, line drawings and logos work well; a photo of a finished part gives distorted dimensions.

How do I convert a PDF to DXF?

Upload the PDF in the converter. From a vector PDF we take the first page and turn it into a DXF at 1:1 scale; a PDF that is a scan is traced like a photo. Convert any text in the PDF to curves first.

How do I convert a DWG to DXF?

Upload a DWG saved in a version from R13 to 2018 - the converter returns the same drawing as a DXF. If the file can't be read, save it in your own software as DXF 2000 or print it to PDF.

Several parts in one file?

Several parts in one drawing (DXF, DWG, SVG, PDF) count as one line item. We split a STEP assembly into separate parts - identical ones are merged into one line item with a quantity - while an STL, OBJ or 3MF file with several solids gives separate line items. Several files, or a ZIP with several parts, also mean several line items.

Can you quote a part from a photo or a sketch?

Yes, in the DXF Editor: upload a photo or a scan of a sheet of paper (JPG, PNG, HEIC, WEBP, TIFF, BMP, GIF or PDF) and confirm one dimension - then we calculate the price. With a DXF file the price appears straight away.

Do you accept STEP files or other 3D models?

Yes, if it is a flat sheet-metal part. We read STEP, STL, OBJ and 3MF straight from the model - outline, holes and thickness. A bent or milled part we send back with export instructions: make a flat pattern (the sheet-metal unfold) in your own software, save it as a DXF at 1:1 scale and upload it.

What can open a DXF file without AutoCAD?

The Cut It Fast DXF Editor: it runs in your browser, is free and needs no account or installation. Upload a DXF (or DWG, SVG, PDF, STEP) and you see the drawing in millimetres with the size of the whole part; if you want, you can change the dimensions, add holes and download the finished file.

Is the DXF Editor free?

Yes. You draw, change and check the price with no account and no fee. You pay only for the cutting you order.

Can I download a DXF file from the editor?

Yes. You can download DXF and SVG from the Cut It Fast editor for free, with no account and without placing an order, once the part has a confirmed scale: in the “More” menu choose “Download DXF” or “Download SVG”.

Does the editor check whether a file is fit for cutting?

Yes. When something in the part wouldn't cut cleanly in the chosen material, for example a hole that is too small, a “Proposal from the design guidelines” card appears next to the part with a ready fix: you accept it or click “Leave it”. The full file check, with a before-and-after drawing, happens at the quote, and you can download the DXF that goes to the laser before you pay.

Does the DXF Editor work on a phone?

Yes. You draw with your finger and type the dimensions on the phone's keyboard.

What if the Assistant doesn't respond?

The Assistant, the “Say what to change…” field, only proposes changes. You can make each of them with the toolbar or from the Ctrl+K palette.

How do I undo changes?

Ctrl+Z undoes the last move and Ctrl+Shift+Z restores it. “Restore original” in the “More” menu goes back to the part as it was before any changes.

What if I pay on Friday before 11:00 (Polish time)?

Your order will usually be ready on Monday - we only count working days.

Can I speed up my order?

No. There is no express service and no surcharge for a shorter lead time - every order is charged at the same rate.

What if I pay after 11:00 (Polish time) or at the weekend?

Your order joins the queue in the order that payments arrive. We don't give a specific day in that case - we'll email you when it is ready.

How do I get the invoice?

At the email address you gave us. We issue a VAT invoice to a company when you enter its tax ID with the order. For a private person we issue a sales document in line with the regulations (invoice or receipt).

Do you deliver across Poland?

Yes, by courier anywhere in Poland for €3.66 excl. VAT per parcel and to EU countries from €6.51 excl. VAT. One parcel weighs up to 18 kg, or up to 15 kg abroad. A heavier order is sent in several parcels, each at the same price. You can also collect your order in Katowice.

Do you bend or weld?

No. We only laser cut sheet metal - you get your parts straight from the laser, with no bending, welding or painting.

Does it cost anything to collect my order in Katowice?

No, collection is free. Courier delivery anywhere in Poland costs €3.66 excl. VAT per parcel (from €6.51 excl. VAT to EU countries). One parcel weighs up to 18 kg, or up to 15 kg abroad. A heavier order is sent in several parcels, each at the same price.

Do I need to book a time to collect?

No - you can come at any time during opening hours, once you have the confirmation email.

Is there somewhere to park?

Yes, parking at the building is free.

Pierce

The spot where the laser pierces the sheet before it starts to cut. Every hole and every separate shape is one pierce; we charge €0.27 for each.

Web

The strip of material between two cuts: the narrowest band of sheet between a hole and an edge, or between two holes. Between holes it must be at least as wide as the sheet is thick (1.0 × thickness), at an edge at least 1.5 mm; a narrower web can burn through or warp.

Kerf

The width of the cut: the strip of material the laser beam removes. We cut exactly along the line in your file, so do not offset the contour by half a kerf. Draw the size the finished part should be.

Design guidelines

Seven simple rules we check in every file before cutting: minimum hole size, minimum web width, closed contours, kerf, maximum part size (3000 × 1500 mm), units and scale, layers and text. When something is off, we show it on the part before we calculate the price.

Sketch

A line drawn by hand that is not a part yet. Sketches are not cut or priced until you add them to the part or cut a shape out with them.

Reading

Three ways of interpreting the same hand-drawn line: “Literal”, a smooth curve just as your hand drew it; “Straightened”, with straight lines, arcs and equal angles; and “Recognised”, a clean figure such as a circle or a rectangle. You can switch between them at any time.

Holds together

Relationships the editor finds in your part by itself: symmetry, equal dimensions, a shared centre. A counter next to the selection shows them, and tapping it opens the list. The editor neverpins them on its own: you pin or release each one with a single tap on the list.

Ready-made shape

One of fifteen figures you can start from without a file of your own: rectangle, circle, ring, polygon, mounting plate, slotted mounting plate, flange, washer, flat bracket, gusset plate, slotted connector, nameplate, post base plate, perforated plate, gear. You enter the dimensions and carry on in the editor, as with any other part.

Part passport

A record of your part, created when you order: the frozen file, the sheet you chose and the price on the day of the order. It lets you reorder the same part in exactly the form in which it was cut.

Minimum order

The lowest amount for a single order: €11.21 excl. VAT. If your parts come to less, you pay the difference up to €11.21, so it pays to add more pieces or line items to the order.

Handling fee

A charge for preparing each line item (file, sheet, machine set-up) plus a charge for taking each piece off the sheet and packing it. The more pieces, the less handling falls on each one. On our price list: €5.72 per line item + €0.69 per piece.