Design Guidelines

help customers upload files that quote cleanly the first time

Strong guidelines make the whole site feel more professional. They reduce failed uploads, avoid back-and-forth, and set realistic expectations before production starts.

Quick Rules
Draw in millimetres at full 1:1 scale
Use closed profiles and remove duplicate vectors
Keep one part per file unless the design is one assembly
Strip out notes, dimensions, title blocks, and unused layers
Preferred Format
DXF
Drawing Scale
1:1
Units
mm
Goal
Clean Geometry
Before Upload

what a production-ready drawing should include

The cleaner the file, the more dependable the quote. These are the main things customers should get right before they upload.

Prepare the geometry

Use closed outer profiles and tidy internal cut-outs
Remove duplicate lines, overlaps, and floating fragments
Use proper circles and arcs where possible instead of broken segments
Keep each file focused on the actual cut geometry only

Prepare the file

Export at full scale in millimetres
Remove dimensions, notes, borders, and title blocks
Use sensible filenames because they flow through to quotes and paperwork
Split separate jobs into separate files unless they are intended to be grouped
Feature Limits

small holes and slots

Very small cut features may not be manufacturable or may need manual review depending on material and thickness.

Common Issues

open contours and overlaps

Open profiles, layered duplicates, and stray entities are some of the fastest ways to create confusion in quoting and production.

Customer Experience

clearer uploads, fewer delays

Good guidance reduces rejected files and makes the site feel dependable instead of uncertain.

Finishing Notes

materials and finishing still need design awareness

Acrylic jobs need a valid colour selection
Powder coating is only available on supported metal parts
Powder coating uses an order-level minimum rather than repeating the minimum per small part
If geometry confidence is poor, the job should move to review rather than forcing a hard price
Best Practice

set expectations clearly before checkout

This page should reassure customers that the process is structured. It is not just about technical rules; it is also about trust. Good fabrication websites explain what uploads cleanly, what may need help, and why.