What is Metal Stamping?
Metal stamping is a process for transforming flat sheet metal or bar stock into a variety of shapes. As a cold-forming process, metal stamping uses stamping presses and dies to shape material without the need to apply heat. Manufacturers value metal stamping for its low cost, high speed, and ability to produce large volumes of identical metal components.
Benefits of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel stamping may consist of multiple, complex operations, including punching, bending, piercing, embossing, flagging, blanking, and coining. Of the many metals used in industrial processes, stainless steel is one of the most versatile due to its many beneficial characteristics. This low-cost, long-lasting metal doesn’t require plating, though it can be polished to various finishes.
Here are the top three reasons you should consider stainless steel for your next metal stamping project:
- Corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, rust, and oxidation, making it useful in a variety of environments that are inhospitable to other metals. Though stainless steel comes in various grades, each features relatively high resistances to corrosion from acids, alkaline, chlorides, and atmospheric conditions. Increasing the levels of chromium, molybdenum, and nickel content in the alloy can further improve corrosion resistance.
- Strength. Stainless steel has a high strength-to-weight ratio and maintains its durability even when thinned and lightened during cold working. Heat-treating after forming adds additional strength when required. The material’s high tensile strength persists throughout a broad range of operating temperatures.
- Cost and lifespan. Stainless steel has a long service life. It rarely needs refurbishing, as evidenced by the existence of many old structures with original stainless steel features. The longevity, low initial cost, and lack of maintenance make it one of the most cost-efficient metals available.
Keats Capabilities
At Keats Manufacturing, we perform a wide variety of custom metal stamping operations, including:
- Bending
- Blanking
- Coining
- Curling
- Drawing
- Embossing
- Piercing
- Punching
Our custom metal stamped parts deliver exceptional performance. We can provide parts in many forms, including:
- Assembled
- Countersunk
- With embossed elements, such as logos
- Joining
- Numbered
- Staked
- Threaded
At Keats Manufacturing, our custom metal stamping products include a wide variety of components, such as:
- Brackets
- Contacts
- Covers
- Electronic terminals
- Furniture parts
- Fuse clips
- Heat sinks
- Inserts
- Latches
- Medical components
- Printer cartridge blades
- Sensor components
- Thrust washer
- Yokes
Why Choose Keats?
When choosing a metal stamping partner, it is essential to consider more than just the metal stamping capabilities alone. Quality stainless steel stamping requires an understanding of metal qualities and the chemical compositions that affect them, deep industry experience, a broad selection of other fabrication and finishing services, and most importantly—strict quality standards. These combined qualities result in a high-value partner.
Quality and Customer Service
Keats Manufacturing offers best-in-class customer service, with fast turnarounds and the most stringent quality standards in the industry. As an ISO-9001-, ISO-14001-, and TS-16949-compliant manufacturer, our quality processes ensure consistency across all our products through data collection at every stage of the manufacturing process. This analysis optimizes the final inspection that occurs before any part is delivered.
Custom Metal Stamping Capabilities
Keats offers over 60 years of fast, reliable, and multi-functional metalworking. We strive to provide the highest value and best performance for all our customers. With highly experienced teams and a footprint spanning three state-of-the-art facilities, we have the expertise and capability to help you with metal stamping projects of virtually any size and design complexity.
Expert Metal Stamping From Keats Manufacturing
At Keats Manufacturing, our customers have come to depend on us for our deep industry experience, extensive design and development capabilities, and a broad portfolio of services that allow us to deliver optimal solutions for all their metal stamped products. From prototyping through high-volume production up to 50 million parts, we are here to support our customers throughout the entire process.
Contact us today to learn more about our stainless steel stamping capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of stainless steel materials do you use for stamping?
At Keats Manufacturing, we utilize a variety of stainless steel grades tailored for precision stamping.
- Options include 300/400 series suitable for high-performance applications.
- Our in-house tool and die development ensures optimal compatibility with your specifications.
- Each material meets rigorous ISO 9001 standards for quality assurance.
How does your precision stamping process work?
Our stainless steel stamping process at Keats Manufacturing is designed for efficiency and accuracy.
- We leverage one of the largest fleets of four-slide machines in North America, including unique Wünsch multi-slide machines.
- This allows us to achieve extensive high-precision tolerances, down to ±0.0002 in.
- Our experienced engineers oversee each project to ensure your specifications are met.
Can you handle custom designs for stainless steel stamping?
Yes, everything we make at Keats Manufacturing is custom. We specialize in custom stainless steel stamping.
- Our in-house engineering team collaborates closely with clients to develop tailored solutions.
- We offer a lifetime guarantee on our tool and die development for peace of mind.
- This ensures your custom parts are produced consistently and to your exact requirements.
What are the benefits of using stainless steel for stamping?
Stainless steel offers numerous advantages for stamping applications, particularly with Keats Manufacturing.
- It provides excellent corrosion resistance, making it ideal for industrial use.
- Our high-precision capabilities allow for intricate designs without compromising structural integrity.
- Additionally, stainless steel’s durability supports long-lasting performance in demanding environments.
How do you ensure quality in your stainless steel stamping services?
Quality is a cornerstone of our operations at Keats Manufacturing.
- We adhere to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 standards to maintain rigorous quality controls.
- Each stamped part undergoes meticulous inspection to meet our high-precision tolerances.
- Our commitment to excellence includes comprehensive documentation for traceability.
What industries do you serve with stainless steel stamping?
Keats Manufacturing serves a diverse range of industries requiring stainless steel stamping.
- Our clients include appliances, automotive, and medical sectors, among others.
- This versatility allows us to adapt to the unique needs of various engineering applications.
How quickly can you produce stainless steel stamped parts?
At Keats Manufacturing, we understand the importance of timely delivery for stainless steel stamped parts.
- Our strategically located facilities in IL, TX, and Mexico enable efficient production and logistics.
- We can often expedite the process thanks to our advanced machinery and experienced workforce.
- Contact us to discuss your project timeline and urgent needs.
What is the minimum order quantity for stainless steel stamping services?
Keats Manufacturing can accommodate various order sizes for stainless steel stamping.
- We typically handle high-volume production, ensuring cost-effectiveness for larger orders.
- We specialize in orders of 100,000 pcs+
- However, we also support smaller quantities depending on the project requirements.
- Reach out to our sales team to discuss your specific needs and receive a tailored quote.

What is Metal Stamping?