A 3D model shows what a part looks like. A drawing tells a supplier how to make it: dimensions, tolerances, materials and finishes. Without a proper drawing, quotes come back vague or wrong. This guide covers what CAD drafting costs and what you should get for the money.
What a manufacturing drawing should include
- Views: front, top, side and isometric, plus sections and details where needed
- Dimensions for every feature a supplier has to make
- Tolerances, general and specific, on fits that matter
- Material and finish callouts
- Title block: part number, revision, scale, units
- Notes: threads, inserts, surface finish, draft for molded parts
- For assemblies: an exploded view and a bill of materials
What CAD drafting costs
Drafting is usually priced per sheet or per hour. Simple single-part drawings are inexpensive; assemblies with many parts, sections and tolerance stacks take much longer.
Our prices:
- Drawing sheet from a model you already have: $150 per sheet
- Single part, designed and drawn: $590, including parametric CAD, STEP, IGES and native files, one drawing sheet with tolerances and DFM notes
- Product up to 12 parts: $2,490, with a drawing sheet for every custom part, a bill of materials and an exploded drawing
- CAD repair (broken models, missing drafts): $240
- Changes after handover: $95 per hour, always quoted first
See CAD design services and engineering pricing.
Drawings from your existing 3D model
If you already have a 3D model, we produce the drawing from it for $150 per sheet. Before drafting, we check the model is drawable: real, closed geometry, sensible features and nothing that cannot be manufactured. If it needs repair, we tell you before starting.
No model yet?
If you only have a sketch, photos or a physical part, the drawing comes after the model. Start with reverse engineering for an existing part, or a CAD design project for a new one. Read how much product CAD design costs for the full picture.
What to send
- Your 3D model (STEP or native), or a sketch and measurements
- The manufacturing process: CNC, injection molding, sheet metal or 3D printing
- Material and finish
- Which features must fit other parts
- Your drawing standard, if you have one
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical drawing cost?
From us, $150 per sheet from a model you already have. A part designed from scratch with its drawing is $590.
Do you work in metric and imperial?
Yes. Tell us the units and drawing standard your supplier uses.
Can you add tolerances for injection molding?
Yes. Drawings for molded parts include draft, wall thickness notes and tolerances suited to the process. See injection molding design services cost.
What file formats do I get?
PDF drawings plus DWG or DXF on request, along with STEP and native CAD where we built the model.
Get a fixed quote for your product
Send sketches, photos, CAD or a sample description. A lead engineer replies within one working day with a fixed price and delivery date.
