This article walks through how stamping parts are priced — the preparation work, the project-based quotation process, and the factors that drive pricing. It also stresses the value of working with an experienced stamping manufacturer or supplier when you need accurate numbers.

This article discusses the pricing methods and rules for stamping parts, including preparation, project-based quotation process, and factors influencing pricing. It emphasizes the importance of consulting with stamping part manufacturers or suppliers.

Preparing for Pricing

Verify current raw material prices. Check today's prices for materials such as tungsten steel, molybdenum-vanadium steel, medium-carbon steel, and low-carbon steel, and build in a 10% buffer to cover possible near-term increases. Determine the press tonnage the stamping requires and whether fixtures will be needed. Then factor in fixture fabrication costs, stamping costs, machining costs (such as turning and grinding), and surface treatment costs (such as blackening, spraying, e-coating, and electrogalvanizing).

Quotation Process

Determine the raw material specification. Start with the customer's 3D drawings when available; otherwise calculate the blank (developed) area from the 2D drawings. Estimate the gross raw material cost with this formula: length × width × thickness × density × unit price per kilogram × (1.1–1.2).

Determine the stamping process route — progressive die stamping or single-station (engineering) dies — and account for the number of operations, post-processing requirements, packaging, and logistics such as freight.

Itemized Quotation

Raw material cost. Calculate the net part weight and apply a material utilization coefficient, accounting for the skeleton and scrap left by progressive die or single-station stamping. Add costs for any outsourced operations and for surface treatment. Because stamping production runs on a continuous monthly schedule, include financial carrying cost, packaging, and freight in the unit price. Keep the unit price as low as possible, then apply the coefficient to the material cost to arrive at the processing cost.

Stamping process fee. Price the process on a per-stroke basis whether the job runs on a progressive die or a single die. For larger orders with favorable payment terms, spread electricity, labor, and other marginal costs across the daily production volume to arrive at the lowest viable unit price.

Rules for Stamping Parts Quotation

Keep the following cost elements in mind when quoting a stamped part:

• Gross raw material cost
• Labor costs
• Electricity
• Equipment depreciation
• Workshop overhead
• Die costs
• Yield rate (scrap allowance)
• Value-added tax (VAT) and other taxes

Product unit price = [(gross raw material cost + labor + electricity + equipment depreciation + workshop overhead + die cost) ÷ yield] × 113% + packaging and transportation + management fees

Composition of Stamping Parts Quotation

A complete stamping quotation is made up of the following:

1. Material cost
2. Processing and labor
3. Electricity
4. Management fees
5. Profit margin
6. Taxes

Raw material cost is the single largest line item in most stamping quotes. For a simple product, the raw material and the processing fee may each run about one unit of currency, for a total of two. Material and labor pricing ultimately depends on the complexity of the stamped part and current market conditions.