When it comes to turning an idea into a finished part or product, laser cutting is one of the most precise and efficient ways to make it happen. But if you’ve never worked with a laser cutting shop before, it can feel intimidating to know where to start.
At Critical Laser, we’ve helped thousands of clients—manufacturers, contractors, artists, and small businesses—bring their designs to life. Over the years, we’ve noticed there are a few things that make the process smoother and help you get the best results.
Here’s what you should know (and what to look for) when requesting custom laser cutting.
Have a Clear Design (Or a Clear Idea)
You don’t have to be an engineer to order laser cutting—but having a good design is the first step.
- Already have CAD files? Perfect. These make it easy for us to load your design directly into our laser cutting software and start production with minimal setup.
- No design yet? No problem. Even a simple sketch or a list of dimensions gives us a place to start. Our team can help convert your idea into a proper file.
Tip: The clearer your design, the faster we can quote and produce your project—and the more accurate your parts will be.
Choose the Right Material
The type of metal you select affects cost, appearance, strength, and performance. Here’s a quick guide:
- Mild Steel – Strong, versatile, and cost-effective. Great for brackets, frames, and general fabrication.
- Stainless Steel – Rust-resistant and polished. Perfect for outdoor parts, food-grade applications, or anything that needs to look sleek.
- Aluminum – Lightweight, easy to machine, and naturally corrosion-resistant. Commonly used in transportation parts, signs, and enclosures.
- Brass – Beautiful golden finish, easy to work with. Great for signage, accents, and decorative pieces.
- Copper – Distinctive and functional, especially for artistic or electrical applications.
Not sure which one is right for your project? Our team can recommend the best option for your needs and budget.
Consider Tolerances and Precision
One of the biggest advantages of laser cutting is precision. Our 10kW Bystronic fiber laser cuts with tight tolerances, meaning your parts will be accurate and repeatable—even in high production runs.
When submitting your design, think about:
- Critical dimensions – Which measurements must be exact for your part to work properly?
- Hole sizes and fits – If you need bolts, fasteners, or inserts, let us know so we can account for proper clearances.
- Edge quality – Laser cutting creates clean edges, but we can also add deburring or finishing if your project requires smoothness for handling or assembly.
Ask About Additional Services
- Laser cutting is just one step in the fabrication process. At Critical Laser, we also offer:
- Bending – To get the exact angles and shapes you need.
- Pemming – Inserting hardware cleanly and securely.
- Welding – Joining parts into finished assemblies.
- Coating – Sandblasting, priming, or powder coating for a finished look.
By keeping these services in-house, we control quality and lead times—so you get a complete solution instead of just a pile of flat parts.
Understand Lead Times and Quantities
One of the best things about modern laser cutting is how quickly projects can move. In most cases, we can turn around jobs in just a few days once the design is finalized.
- That said, lead times can vary based on:
- Quantity – Larger runs take more time to cut and process.
- Complexity – Intricate parts may require special tooling or additional setup.
- Finishing needs – If you need bending, welding, or powder coating, that adds a few extra steps.
If you’re working on a deadline, let us know upfront—we can often prioritize rush jobs.
Look for Experience and Capability
- Not all laser cutting shops are created equal. When you’re choosing a fabrication partner, look for a shop that:
- Has state-of-the-art equipment – High-powered fiber lasers cut faster, cleaner, and with tighter tolerances.
- Offers full-service fabrication – Bending, welding, and coating in one place saves you time and hassle.
- Has years of experience – At Critical Laser, we’ve been serving Utah and beyond for over 25 years.
Our experience means we know how to avoid common pitfalls, spot design issues early, and deliver consistent quality every single time.
Communication Matters
The best projects come from great collaboration. When you work with Critical Laser, we’ll keep you informed through every step—from design review to final delivery. If we see something in your design that could cause issues, we’ll let you know before we cut a single piece of metal.
Think About the Future
If you’ll need the same part more than once, let us know. We can save your files, create repeatable setups, and even schedule production runs for you—making it easy to reorder without starting from scratch.
Your Partner in Precision
At the end of the day, laser cutting isn’t just about technology—it’s about trust. You need a partner who will understand your project, guide you through material and design choices, and deliver parts you can rely on.
At Critical Laser, we take that role seriously. Whether you’re a first-time customer or a long-term client, our goal is to make the process simple, stress-free, and successful.
Learn more about our process and see how we can help on our Custom Metal Fabrication page.
And when you’re ready to get started, contact us. We’d love to hear about your project and show you what’s possible with precision laser cutting.
