How to Quote Rush Orders Profitably

Rush orders are a fact of life in digital manufacturing. A customer needs parts yesterday, and they’re willing to pay a premium — but only if you can deliver without blowing your schedule or your margins.The challenge isn’t saying yes. It’s pricing...

Quoting Jigs and Fixtures Profitably

Most shops can quote a production part in their sleep. Material, machine time, tooling, overhead — the variables are familiar and the process is repeatable. But when a customer asks for a custom jig, fixture, or inspection gauge, the same confidence often...

Quoting Variable Lot Sizes Efficiently

Every shop knows the drill: a customer sends an RFQ for 5 prototypes, then asks for pricing at 50, 200, and 1,000 units — all in the same email. You could build four separate quotes. Or you could build one model that scales.Variable lot sizing is where quoting either...

Quoting Rush Orders Without Losing Money

Every digital manufacturer knows the feeling: a Friday afternoon email with “URGENT” in the subject line. A customer needs parts by Tuesday, and they’re willing to pay a premium. The question is — how much premium is enough?Rush orders are a...

Quoting Recurring Orders Profitably

Recurring orders are the backbone of many digital manufacturing shops. Blanket POs, scheduled releases, and annual supply agreements fill the calendar and smooth cash flow. But they also hide a quiet margin killer: the quote you set in month one rarely reflects the...