Step 7 of 13
Send it out
Instant-quote manufacturers cut, bend, machine and print your part and ship it in days.
SendCutSend handles laser cut and bent sheet metal, Xometry and Protolabs cover machining and plastics, and JLCPCB and PCBWay build circuit boards. All of them quote instantly from an uploaded file.
For larger runs or lower unit prices, overseas sourcing platforms such as Alibaba open up many more suppliers, at the price of longer lead times, communication overhead and more quality risk. Order a sample first.
Compare at least two quotes on price, lead time and shipping. Read the material and finish options carefully; the default is rarely the right one.
Checklist
- Two or more quotes compared
- Material and finish chosen on purpose
- Lead time and shipping included in the comparison
- Sample order before any batch from an overseas supplier
Fabrication SendCutSend
Instant quotes for laser cut, waterjet and bent sheet metal from DXF or STEP files.
Best for: Flat metal parts, brackets, enclosures, panels
Review · Visit SendCutSend
Fabrication Xometry
On-demand CNC machining, 3D printing, sheet metal and injection molding with instant quotes.
Best for: Machined parts, plastics, a wide process range
Review · Visit Xometry
Fabrication Protolabs
Rapid CNC machining, injection molding and 3D printing aimed at engineering teams.
Best for: Precision prototypes and low-volume production
Review · Visit Protolabs
Electronics JLCPCB
Low-cost PCB fabrication and assembly with a large in-house parts library.
Best for: Circuit boards from KiCad, small assembly runs
Review · Visit JLCPCB
Electronics PCBWay
PCB fabrication, assembly and also CNC and 3D printing under one roof.
Best for: Boards plus mechanical parts from one supplier
Review · Visit PCBWay
Sourcing Alibaba.com
Global supplier marketplace for custom parts, components and white-label manufacturing.
Best for: Larger runs and lower unit cost once a design is proven
Review · Visit Alibaba.com