Bespoke or Off-the-Shelf Aluminium Profiles? How to make the right decision!
When starting a new aluminium extrusion project, one of the first decisions you’ll face is:
Do I need a bespoke profile, or will a standard (off-the-shelf) shape jobby do the trick?
At Love Aluminium, we guide clients through this choice every day. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the difference and choose what’s best for you and your project.
🔧 Scenario 1: You’ve Designed a Brand-New Product
If you’re in the design phase or creating something entirely new, you’re most likely heading toward a bespoke aluminium extrusion.
This means:
- A new die (also called a “tool”) is manufactured to your exact specification.
- There’s a one-off die cost up front.
- You own the shape. It’s unique to you and cannot be used by anyone else without your permission.
- The die is physically stored by the extruder (mill), and usually not transferable to other suppliers.
Bespoke is ideal for companies creating custom systems, housings, brackets, or architectural details that require precision, performance, or branding.
Maybe you’ve been using an off-the-shelf product for years, but it’s never been a perfect match?
A new bespoke tool could save you time and money moving forward.
💰 Scenario 2: You’re Re-Sourcing an Existing Profile
If your goal is to:
- Save costs
- Improve lead times
- Find a supplier closer to home (or just a better one)
…you may be looking to re-source a profile you’ve used before. Depending on its complexity, you might still need a bespoke die. However, in some cases, we can repurpose or match what you’re already using — sometimes even using our extensive library of existing dies.
🛠️ What About “Standard” Aluminium Profiles?
Standard profiles are common shapes that are widely used across industries. These include:
-
- Round tubes
- Angles
- Channels
- Flat bars
- Square or rectangular hollow sections
These dies belong to the extruder, meaning:
- There’s no die cost
- There’s no additional time for the die to be produced, you can order immediately, as long as the profile meets your design and tolerance needs
Standards are perfect when the design doesn’t demand anything out of the ordinary, and can help keep costs and lead times down.
🤝 How We Can Help
At Love Aluminium, we specialise in bespoke extrusion projects — from first sketches through to production and repeat orders. For almost 20 years, we’ve helped clients across lighting, construction, electronics, and more get the exact profiles they need.
Whether you’re designing from scratch or searching for a ready-made shape, we’ll help you make the right call.
📩 Still not sure which way to go?
Let’s talk.
Email: liam@lovealuminium.co.uk
Phone: 07951 393771
