Shearing vs. Blanking vs. Slitting: Choosing the Right Cutting Method
In steel processing, precision cutting is at the heart of turning coil and plate into usable parts. Terms like shearing, blanking, and slitting often appear in fabrication discussions, but they are not interchangeable. Each process serves a specific purpose and brings unique advantages depending on the requirements of a project.
At Olympic Steel, we provide all three services - shearing, blanking, and coil slitting as part of our value-added processing capabilities. This blog explains how each method works, how they differ, and when to choose the right one for your application.
What Is Shearing?
Shearing is a cutting method that uses blades to cut sheet or plate into straight lines. It is often compared to using a giant pair of scissors on metal. The process applies force along a straight line to trim edges or cut large sheets into smaller ones.
Shearing is widely used because it is fast, efficient, and produces clean, straight edges. At Olympic Steel, our shearing equipment is capable of handling a variety of thicknesses, widths, and lengths to produce precise cuts that meet tight tolerances.
Shearing is commonly used for:
- Trimming coil edges to size
- Cutting large sheets into panels
- Preparing blanks for further processing
What Is Blanking?
Blanking takes the concept of shearing one step further. Instead of cutting along straight lines, blanking involves cutting shapes—often circular, rectangular, or custom profiles from sheet or coil. The piece cut out, known as the “blank,” becomes the usable part, while the surrounding material is scrap.
Blanking is ideal for applications where parts need to be consistently reproduced with accuracy. Olympic Steel offers blanking services using coil-fed equipment to create large volumes of blanks with precise dimensions.
Applications for blanking include:
- Automotive and transportation components
- Appliance parts
- Agricultural equipment pieces
- Structural parts that require consistent shapes
What Is Slitting?
Slitting is a process specific to coil steel. It involves cutting wide coils into narrower strips by running them through rotary knives. Unlike shearing or blanking, slitting does not cut shapes or panels, it creates coil stock in custom widths.
Olympic Steel’s slitting lines handle a wide range of gauges and widths, producing slit coil that is flat, consistent, and ready for downstream operations. By tailoring coil widths, slitting reduces waste and ensures that fabricators receive material sized for their equipment.
Slitting is essential for:
- Feeding roll formers
- Preparing narrow strip for stamping lines
- Producing coil stock for tubing and pipe production
Comparing Shearing, Blanking, and Slitting
While all three processes involve cutting steel, their purposes and outcomes are distinct. The table below summarizes the differences:
| Process | Material Type | Cut Style | End Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shearing | Sheet or plate | Straight-line cuts | Panels, trimmed sheets |
| Blanking | Sheet or coil | Shape cutouts | Reproducible blanks |
| Slitting | Coil | Multiple strip cuts | Narrow coil widths |
When to Choose Each Method
Choosing between shearing, blanking, and slitting depends on your production goals:
- Shearing is the right choice when you need panels or trimmed sheets with straight edges.
- Blanking is best for high-volume parts that require precise, repeatable shapes.
- Slitting is necessary when coil needs to be prepared in specific widths for further processing.
In many cases, fabricators use more than one method in combination. For example, slit coil may be used to produce blanks, or sheared sheets may be further fabricated into parts.
Olympic Steel’s Cutting and Processing Services
We don’t just supply sheet and coil, we deliver it in the exact form our customers need. Olympic Steel’s processing services include:
- Precision shearing for sheet and plate up to large dimensions
- High-volume blanking for repeatable part production
- Advanced slitting lines for coil widths tailored to your process
- Cut-to-length processing for coil converted into flat sheets
- Stretcher leveling and temper passing to ensure flatness and consistency
By offering a full suite of cutting methods, we give customers flexibility and reduce the steps required in-house. This saves time, improves efficiency, and ensures better material yield.
FAQs: Shearing, Blanking, and Slitting
Is shearing only for thin sheet?
No. Olympic Steel’s shearing equipment can handle a wide range of thicknesses and sizes.
Does blanking waste material?
Some scrap is produced, but efficient nesting and coil-fed equipment minimize waste.
Is slit coil the same as narrow sheet?
Not exactly. Slit coil remains in coil form, cut to width for downstream use. Narrow sheet usually comes from shearing.
Can Olympic Steel deliver cut-to-size parts?
Yes. Our processing capabilities include shearing, blanking, and slitting, along with other value-added services.
Which industries benefit from these services?
Transportation, construction, agriculture, and appliance manufacturers are among the many industries that rely on these processes.
Final Thoughts
Shearing, blanking, and slitting are three distinct but complementary cutting methods in steel processing. Shearing produces straight-edged panels, blanking creates repeatable part shapes, and slitting delivers custom coil widths. Each has unique benefits, and together they cover the spectrum of fabrication needs.
At Olympic Steel, we provide all three services, supported by advanced equipment and nationwide processing centers. Whether you need slit coil for roll forming, blanks for stamping, or sheared panels for fabrication, Olympic Steel delivers steel that is production-ready.
