Prepare a stronger RFQ and get a clearer quote
When you request a quote for custom carbon fiber parts, the quality of the quotation you receive depends directly on the information you provide. This guide explains what to include in a request for quote (RFQ), how our quotation workflow operates, and which details most affect price, tolerance and lead time. It is written for procurement and engineering teams who want to brief a supplier accurately the first time.
The fastest route is our carbon fiber quote form below. Reading the sections first will help you send a complete package.
How the quotation process works
Our quotation path follows four stages, the same staged discipline described on our carbon fiber manufacturing services page:
- Submit your RFQ — share drawings, target volume, material preference and any critical requirements through the form.
- Engineering review (DFM) — our engineers check your CAD for draft, radii, inserts and datum strategy before any tooling investment, flagging risks early.
- First-article and quotation — where tooling is needed we validate the mold with a first-article, then return a transparent, itemized quotation with a milestone schedule.
- Production — once the tool is released we ramp into production under an agreed inspection plan.
This staged approach means you see cost, lead time and risk before committing capital.
What to include in your RFQ
A complete RFQ lets us quote accurately without follow-up rounds. Use this checklist:
- Drawings and CAD files — share what you have; we will review the files and confirm any next steps.
- Material specification — fiber grade and weave, or let us recommend the minimum grade that meets your load and environment.
- Quantities and target volume — including whether this is a one-off prototype or a recurring program.
- Tolerances and critical dimensions — call out the features that must be held to print.
- Surface finish and cosmetic class — visible show surfaces versus hidden structural zones.
- Inspection requirements — visual, CMM, or non-destructive evaluation.
- Target timeline — your needed date and any milestone constraints.
- Special conditions — regulatory, packaging, or shipping notes.
Drawings and CAD files
Please share your available drawings, CAD files, or other relevant technical references. We will review the information provided and confirm the next steps if additional details are needed. A PDF with critical dimensions, datum references, tolerances and finish callouts is helpful, and where a dimension is fit- or safety-critical, mark it clearly so we can plan the right machining or molding approach. Good drawings are the single biggest factor in a fast, accurate quote.
Material requirements
Tell us the fiber and resin you need, or describe the performance target and let our team recommend. Our standard set includes Toray T300, T700 and T800 prepreg, 3K twill and plain weaves, forged carbon, and carbon-kevlar hybrid. Full options are listed on our materials overview. If you have a qualified resin system, flame-retardant chemistry or recycled-content requirement, mention it in the RFQ so we can plan a trial.
Quantities and production requirements
Please include your expected order quantity and production requirements. We will review the project scope and discuss a suitable manufacturing approach. Early-stage work such as prototypes is covered by our carbon fiber prototyping services. Sharing a realistic target volume helps us plan tooling and process; over-stating volume wastes tooling capital, while under-sharing forces us to price worst-case, so an honest estimate benefits both sides.
Tolerances and critical dimensions
State the tolerances that matter. As a reference, our typical capabilities include molded nominal geometry near ±0.15 mm and CNC-machined critical features near ±0.05 mm, with full detail on our specification and tolerances page. The tighter the tolerance, the more it drives process choice, inspection level and cost — so specify only what the function requires. Calling out the few safety- or fit-critical dimensions lets us machine them and prove them with CMM measurement.
Surface finish and cosmetic class
Define the cosmetic class by actual visibility. A standard gloss clear coat is economical; painted automotive finishes, matte systems and heavy filler work add labor. Align the finish to what the user sees, as explained in our surface finishing and coating services and surface finishes guide. Specifying show-car quality on a hidden bracket quietly inflates cost.
Inspection requirements
Match inspection level to the consequence of failure. Visual checks are cheap; CMM verification adds time; aerospace-grade non-destructive evaluation adds meaningful per-unit cost. Our cost guide breaks down how inspection level shapes price, and our aerospace programs budget for the stricter end where appropriate. Tell us the inspection level you require so the quote reflects it.
Evaluating tooling and lead time
Tooling is usually the largest single investment and the main lead-time driver. Soft tooling suits prototypes and very low volumes; CNC-machined aluminum or steel production molds suit recurring volume. Our carbon fiber mold making service details typical tooling build times and life, and our cost guide explains how volume and process shape both price and lead time. We show the tooling crossover point in the quotation so the choice is transparent rather than assumed.
Response time and next steps
After you submit the form you reach our confirmation page, which notes that we typically respond within one business day on weekdays. A simple inquiry may get a budget figure quickly; a complex program needs a longer engineering review before a firm, itemized quotation. Either way, the first article and milestone schedule are shared before production commitment.
Related capabilities
This page explains how to request a quote. For capability detail, see custom carbon fiber parts, CNC machining, prototyping, mold making, and industry programs for UAV, aerospace, motorsport and robotics. For the cost levers behind a quote, read our carbon fiber part cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
What files should I attach to an RFQ? Please share your available drawings, CAD files, or other relevant technical references. We will review the information provided and confirm the next steps if additional details are needed. A clear drawing lets our engineers return an accurate quotation faster.
Is there a minimum order quantity? Please include your expected order quantity and production requirements. We will review the project scope and discuss a suitable manufacturing approach.
How fast do you respond to a quote request? After you submit the form you reach our confirmation page, which notes that we typically respond within one business day on weekdays. Complex programs may need a longer engineering review before a firm quotation is issued.
Can you sign a non-disclosure agreement? If your project requires confidentiality arrangements, please mention this when submitting your enquiry so we can discuss the appropriate next steps.
How are tooling and lead times determined? Tooling type and lead time depend on forecast volume, geometry and surface requirement. Our mold making service details typical tooling build times, and our cost guide explains how volume and process shape both price and lead time.
Send your RFQ
You can open the request a quote form at any time. Include as many of the checklist items above as you can, attach your drawing, and our engineering team will return a clear, itemized quotation with a milestone schedule.
Prefer email? Reach our team at [email protected] with your drawings, volumes and performance requirements.