Custom Manufacturing

How to prepare a request for quotation, what data is essential, and where customers most commonly make mistakes.

Table of contents

Why the specification matters

A good specification is the foundation of successful collaboration. It ensures:

Tip

The more detailed the specification, the faster you receive a quote and the lower the risk of surprises at delivery.

What the specification must contain

1. Dimensions

Format: width × depth × height (mm)

Important

Specify whether dimensions are external or internal! With 5 mm walls, the difference is 10 mm.

2. Material

Provide all relevant material parameters:

See also

3. Quantity

Quantity affects unit price — for larger batches we can optimise nesting and machine setup time.

4. Finishing

5. Operating conditions

Manufacturing tolerances

ProcessTolerance
Laser cutting±0.1 mm
CNC routing±0.1–0.2 mm
Saw cutting±0.5–1.0 mm
Thermal bending±0.5–1.0 mm

Note

If your project requires tighter tolerances than standard, indicate this in your enquiry — we will adapt the production technology.

File formats

Preferred formats

Accepted files

DXF Best choice
DWG Full compatibility
Vector PDF Good format
STEP / IGES For 3D models

What to avoid

Problematic files

  • JPG / PNG as the only source — no dimensional precision
  • Drawings without scale — we cannot determine actual measurements
  • Dimensions in inches without conversion — risk of error

Common customer mistakes

  1. Not specifying external/internal dimensions
    With 5 mm walls, the difference is 10 mm! The part may not fit the intended space.
  2. Underestimating thickness
    Consequences: deflection, vibration, cracking under load.
  3. Omitting environmental conditions
    Standard PMMA outdoors = yellowing after 2–3 years.
  4. Ignoring logistics
    Shipping can cost 3× more than the product itself for large items.
  5. Ordering without a prototype
    100 poorly designed units = wasted budget and time.
  6. No installation information
    The finished product may not fit through a doorway or into a lift.

Specification template

Below is a ready-to-use template you can copy and fill in:

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - REQUEST FOR QUOTATION ================================================ 1. BASIC INFORMATION Project name: ................................ Company: ................................ Contact person: ................................ Tel/Email: ................................ 2. DIMENSIONS (mm) Width: ........ Depth: ........ Height: ........ Dimensions: [ ] external [ ] internal Tolerance: ±........ mm 3. MATERIAL Type: [ ] PMMA [ ] PC [ ] Dibond [ ] Other: ........ Variant: [ ] Cast (GS) [ ] Extruded (XT) Thickness: ........ mm Colour: ........ (RAL: ........) Requirements: [ ] UV [ ] Anti-static [ ] Flame-retardant 4. QUANTITY Units: ........ Series: [ ] One-off [ ] Recurring (every ........) 5. FINISHING Edges: [ ] Cut [ ] Polished [ ] Chamfered Print: [ ] None [ ] Screen [ ] UV [ ] Vinyl 6. OPERATING CONDITIONS Location: [ ] Indoor [ ] Outdoor Temperature: from ........°C to ........°C Chemical contact: ................................ IP rating (if required): ........ 7. FILES Attached: [ ] DXF [ ] DWG [ ] PDF [ ] STEP [ ] Other 8. ADDITIONAL NOTES ................................................................

Ordering process

  1. Prepare specification — gather all technical data and project files
  2. Submit enquiry — send specification to [email protected] or via the contact form
  3. Review quote — you will receive a quote with lead time within 24h
  4. Prototype — for new projects we recommend producing a prototype
  5. Series production — after prototype approval, we start production
  6. Acceptance & inspection — verify conformity with the order upon delivery

Ready to submit an enquiry?

Send your specification or project description. We will respond with a quote within 24h.

Send a quote request

Useful links

PlexiSystem Encyclopedia — Custom Manufacturing
Last updated: January 2026