If you're planning a project involving CNC-cut plywood — whether for furniture, cabinetry, or signage — understanding the costs upfront can help you budget smarter. At Cutwood, we aim to provide clear, fair pricing and help you reduce waste and time through efficient design and cutting.
What Affects the Cost of CNC Cutting?
Several factors influence the final price of your project:
Material Choice
We commonly use plywood from trusted local suppliers like Plytech and Plymaster. Pricing depends on thickness, quality, and finish:
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12mm-18mm untreated ply: $100 – $180 per sheet
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Laminated or birch ply: $178 – $350+ per sheet
Standard sheet size is usually 2400 x 1200 mm.
Design and File Setup
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If your file is clean and CNC-ready (e.g. DXF or Fusion 360), there’s no setup fee
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If we need to prepare or clean up your design, we charge $100 + GST per hour
CNC Machine Time
The more complex the design, the longer the job will take and the more tool changes may be required.
Cutting typically costs $60 – $100 per sheet, based on runtime and bit usage.
Additional Services
Finishing (like sanding, edge banding) and assembly are not included in base cutting rates but can be quoted separately.
Example: CNC-Cut Plywood Bookcase
Let’s say you want to build a flat-pack plywood bookcase using 18mm birch plywood. Here's what it could cost:
Materials
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3 x 2400 x 1200 x 18mm sheets of:
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Plyman 100% Birch Plywood: $337.65 + GST per sheet
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Plymasters Gaboon Ultra Ply B/B+: approx $178.00 + GST per sheet
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Design and Programming
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If CNC-ready: Free
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If we assist with file prep and layout: 1 hour @ $100 + GST
CNC Cutting
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3 sheets @ $100 per sheet = $300 + GST
Total Estimated Costs
Option 1: Plyman 100% Birch Plywood
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Materials: $1,012.95
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Design: $100
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Cutting: $300
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Total: $1,412.95 + GST
Option 2: Plymasters Gaboon Ultra Ply
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Materials: $534.00
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Design: $100
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Cutting: $300
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Total: $934.00 + GST
These are real examples to help you estimate costs. Your actual pricing may vary based on material availability, file quality, and design complexity.
How to Keep CNC Cutting Affordable
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Optimise your sheet layout – Reduce waste and offcuts
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Design with standard tooling in mind – Avoid tiny radii or multiple depths
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Keep parts wider than 30mm – Helps prevent dropouts or sheet damage
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Use fewer materials – Nest parts to get the most from every sheet
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Stick to consistent thicknesses – Simplifies joinery and cuts design time
What to Include When Requesting a Quote
To help us give you an accurate and fast quote, please include:
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Number of sheets required (and if you’re supplying or we are)
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Plywood type, thickness, and supplier preference
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A DXF, Fusion 360, or PDF file of your design
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Any extra services needed (e.g. sanding, assembly, delivery)
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Your deadline and location
Get Started
Whether you're building one piece of furniture or developing a new product line, our CNC cutting service helps you move faster, cut cleaner, and reduce waste.
📍 Based in Auckland
🔧 Precision CNC cutting for plywood and more
📩 Get in touch for a tailored quote