When an architect, interior designer, contractor or material buyer asks a stainless steel supplier for a quotation, one simple message is often not enough.

For example:

“Please quote your stainless steel decorative panels."

The supplier may still need to ask:

What grade?

What thickness?

What size?

Which finish?

Which color?

How many sheets?

Is cutting required?

Does the project need bending?

Where will the material be shipped?

Without these details, the quotation may only be a rough estimate.

A clear Request for Quotation (RFQ) can make the purchasing process much faster and help both the buyer and supplier avoid misunderstandings.

Here is a practical checklist for ordering stainless steel decorative panels.

1. Start With the Application

The first thing a supplier needs to understand is:

Where will the stainless steel be used?

For example:

• Hotel feature wall
• Restaurant interior
• Elevator cabin
• Reception desk
• Retail store
• Decorative ceiling
• Column cladding
• Cabinet doors
• Furniture
• Partition
• Residential interior

The application can influence the recommended stainless steel grade, thickness, surface finish and fabrication method.

A panel for an indoor decorative wall may have very different requirements from material used in a humid or outdoor environment.

So instead of only sending the product name, describe the project briefly.

For example:

“The panels will be used for an indoor hotel lobby feature wall."

That one sentence already gives the supplier useful information.

2. Specify the Stainless Steel Grade

The stainless steel grade should be clearly stated whenever possible.

Common options for decorative projects include:

• 201
• 304
• 316
• Other grades depending on the project

The right grade depends on the environment and performance requirements.

For example, a dry indoor decorative project may have different requirements from a coastal project or a humid environment.

If you are not sure which grade to choose, provide the application and location to the supplier and ask for a recommendation.

Do not simply choose a grade because it is the cheapest or most expensive option.

The better approach is to match the material to the actual project conditions.

3. Thickness Matters

Thickness is another basic specification that should be included in an RFQ.

Decorative stainless steel sheets may be available in different thicknesses depending on the application and fabrication requirements.

For example:

0.8 mm

1.0 mm

1.2 mm

1.5 mm

and other customized specifications may be available.

But thickness should not be selected independently.

The supplier may also need to know:

• Will the panel be flat?
• Will it be bent?
• Will it be installed on a backing structure?
• Does it need welding?
• Is it a decorative cover or a fabricated component?

A decorative wall panel and a fabricated stainless steel component may require completely different specifications.

4. Give the Exact Panel Dimensions

This is one of the most important parts of an RFQ.

Instead of saying:

“I need large stainless steel sheets."

Provide the actual dimensions.

For example:

1219 * 2438 mm

or:

1240 * 2500 mm

If the project uses several different sizes, provide a complete size list.

For example:

This allows the factory to calculate material requirements more accurately.

It can also help determine the most efficient cutting and packaging method.

5. Describe the Surface Finish Clearly

“Stainless steel decorative panel" is a broad category.

The surface finish can completely change the appearance and price.

Common choices include:

• Mirror
• Brushed
• Hairline
• Etched
• Embossed
• Water ripple
• Vibration
• PVD colored
• Custom patterns

For example:

304 + 1.0 mm + Hairline

is much more specific than:

“Silver stainless steel panel."

If you have a reference image, send it.

A photograph can sometimes communicate the desired surface much more accurately than several paragraphs of description.

6. Don't Forget the PVD Color

If the project requires colored stainless steel, the color should be specified separately.

Common PVD colors include:

• Gold
• Champagne Gold
• Rose Gold
• Bronze
• Black
• Blue
• Titanium Gold
• Custom colors

However, color names are not always standardized between suppliers.

“Gold" from one factory may not look exactly the same as “gold" from another factory.

This is why a physical sample or approved color reference can be important for larger projects.

For designers looking for colored decorative surfaces, JASUN offers PVD stainless steel solutions for architectural and interior applications.

7. Tell the Supplier Whether Fabrication Is Required

This is one of the details buyers sometimes forget.

Do you need:

• CNC cutting?
• Laser cutting?
• Bending?
• Welding?
• Drilling?
• Grooving?
• Edge processing?
• Special corners?
• Pre-assembled components?

If the answer is yes, include drawings whenever possible.

A factory can quote a flat sheet very differently from a finished fabricated component.

For example:

Stainless steel sheet

and

CNC-cut + bent + welded stainless steel panel

are two completely different quotations.

The more complete the drawing, the more accurate the quotation can be.

8. Tell the Supplier the Quantity

Quantity has a major influence on the quotation.

Instead of saying:

“Please give me your best price."

It is much more useful to provide:

50 sheets

or:

120 m²

or:

1 * 20GP container

If you are still comparing options, you can also request several quantity levels.

For example:

50 pcs / 100 pcs / 300 pcs

This allows you to compare how the unit price changes with quantity.

9. Tell the Supplier Where You Need the Goods

International buyers should also include the destination.

For example:

Los Angeles, USA

Dubai, UAE

Manila, Philippines

Mumbai, India

The destination matters because shipping costs, packaging requirements and quotation terms can vary.

If you already know the preferred trade term, mention it:

EXW

FOB

CIF

or another agreed term.

This can prevent confusion when comparing quotations from different suppliers.

10. Ask About Packaging

Decorative stainless steel surfaces can be sensitive during transportation.

Mirror, PVD and other decorative finishes may require suitable protection.

Depending on the project, packaging may include:

• Protective film
• Foam protection
• Paper protection
• Wooden frames
• Wooden crates
• Reinforced export packaging

If the shipment is traveling internationally, packaging should be discussed before production.

A low material price is not necessarily useful if the packaging is not suitable for long-distance transportation.

11. Ask for the Lead Time

Lead time should also be included in the quotation request.

You can ask:

“What is the estimated production lead time after order confirmation?"

For standard products, the lead time may be different from customized decorative panels.

Custom:

• PVD colors
• Patterns
• Large dimensions
• CNC fabrication
• Special packaging

may require additional production time.

If your project has a fixed installation date, tell the supplier.

For example:

“The material is required on site before November 20."

This gives the supplier a clear target.

12. Ask for Samples Before Mass Production

For decorative stainless steel, a photograph is not always enough.

A screen cannot fully show:

• Actual color
• Surface texture
• Reflection
• Grain direction
• Gloss level
• 3D effect

A physical sample can provide a much better reference.

This is particularly important for:

PVD

Mirror

Water Ripple

Embossed

Etched

and other highly decorative surfaces.

For large projects, it is better to approve the sample before mass production.

13. One Simple RFQ Can Include Everything

A professional RFQ does not need to be complicated.

For example:

Project

Hotel Lobby Feature Wall

Application

Interior feature wall

Material

304 Stainless Steel

Thickness

1.0 mm

Surface

Hairline + PVD

Color

Champagne Gold

Panel Size

1219 * 2438 mm

Quantity

80 sheets

Fabrication

CNC cutting required

Packaging

Export wooden crate

Destination

Los Angeles, USA

Trade Term

FOB

Required Delivery

Before November 20

This gives the supplier almost everything needed for an initial quotation.

14. A Better RFQ Can Save More Than Just Time

A clear RFQ does more than speed up communication.

It also makes supplier comparison easier.

Imagine receiving three quotations:

Supplier A:
“Gold stainless steel — $XX"

Supplier B:
“304 / 1.0 mm / PVD Champagne / Hairline / 1219 * 2438 mm — $XX"

Supplier C:
“Stainless steel panel — $XX"

Which quotation is easier to compare?

The more detailed quotation allows you to compare the same specification rather than simply comparing numbers.

This is particularly important when purchasing decorative stainless steel from overseas suppliers.

15. The Five Details You Should Never Leave Blank

If you do not have time to prepare a complete RFQ, at least provide these five details:

1. Application

Where will the material be used?

2. Grade

201, 304, 316 or another specification?

3. Thickness

How thick should the sheet be?

4. Size

What are the required dimensions?

5. Surface

Mirror, brushed, PVD, embossed, etched, water ripple or another finish?

Then add:

Quantity + Destination + Fabrication Requirements

for a much more accurate quotation.

Final Thoughts

Buying stainless steel decorative panels does not have to be complicated.

The key is to provide the supplier with enough information to understand the actual project.

A good RFQ should answer:

What is it?

Where will it be used?

What should it look like?

How large should it be?

How many are required?

Does it need fabrication?

Where should it be delivered?

Once these details are clear, the supplier can focus on the important part:

finding the right material and production solution for the project.

At JASUN, we work with architects, interior designers, contractors, metal traders and project buyers on customized stainless steel decorative panels.

Our solutions include PVD, mirror, brushed, embossed, etched, water ripple and other decorative finishes, with customized sizes and fabrication options available for project requirements.

If you are preparing an RFQ, you can send us your drawing, reference image, dimensions or even a simple list of requirements.

We can review the information and help you identify the suitable stainless steel grade, surface finish, size and fabrication requirements before production.