Cut list template: columns, samples, and PDF export

A practical cut list template is really a column contract between design and the optimizer. Every row is one part type (or one line item) with a quantity, not one row per physical piece unless your shop prefers that style.

For sheet goods you need a name, length, width, and quantity at minimum. Length and width map to the two panel dimensions you cut on the table saw or CNC. For linear stock you need name, length, and quantity because width is not part of the waste equation.

Material columns tie each part to the stock you purchase. Use a short material code your crew recognizes (for example PLY-1829-610) plus a longer material name for clarity on PDF exports.

Do not mix sheet and linear parts on one import file. Run panel rectangles through the sheet cut list optimizer and length-only parts through the linear cut list optimizer. Cabinet jobs often need both: melamine sides on sheets and 2×4 cleats on sticks.

Keep units consistent within a file. Cutlistor accepts metric and imperial; pick one system per job so kerf and stock sizes stay comparable.

If you use material codes, every part that should nest on the same plywood SKU should share that code. Mixed codes tell the optimizer to treat stock separately, which is correct when you buy different thicknesses or finishes.

Cutlistor publishes paired CSV and XLSX samples for sheet and linear workflows at /samples/cutlist-import/. Download sheet-cutlist-sample.csv or sheet-cutlist-sample.xlsx for panel jobs, and linear-cutlist-sample.csv or linear-cutlist-sample.xlsx for bar and stick stock.

The samples use realistic cabinet and framing part names so you can see how material codes group rows. Copy the header row into your own workbook, replace the example lines with your job, and import without guessing column order.

Google Sheets and Excel both export to CSV. If you use XLSX, keep a single header row and avoid merged cells in the data area so the importer reads every column cleanly.

Imagine one 610 mm wide base cabinet on 18 mm birch plywood, stock sheet 2440×1220 mm. Your cut list might include: two sides at 1829×610 mm qty 2, three shelves at 448×610 mm qty 3, one drawer front at 356×140 mm qty 1, all tagged material code PLY-1829-610.

In Cutlistor, open the free sheet cut list optimizer, import the CSV, set stock to 2440×1220 mm, set kerf to match your blade (often 3.2 mm for a thin-kerf rip blade), and run the layout. The optimizer reports how many sheets you need and shows nested rectangles.

If the shelf depth changes from 448 mm to 464 mm, edit one spreadsheet cell, re-import, and recalculate. The PDF cut plan updates with new positions. That is the advantage over a static paper template that cannot redraw itself.

After import, confirm stock sizes match what you will load on the truck, not a generic 4×8 label if you actually buy 2440×1220 mm metric panels. Set kerf before trusting yield percentages.

Choose a sheet layout method that matches your saw workflow: Rips & rows for fast site ripping, Fewest sheets / least waste when material cost dominates, Neat grid when you want uniform row heights, Router / CNC layout when you need denser nesting with spoilboard spacing.

Export the PDF when the layout looks right. The export includes labeled parts and sheet diagrams your crew can follow at the saw. Free tier sessions support up to 50 part rows and daily calculation limits; accounts unlock saved projects and inventory on paid plans.

Swapping length and width on sheet parts rotates nesting on the diagram. Pick a shop convention (grain along length, for example) and stick to it for every row.

Forgetting quantity multiplies waste math. One line with qty 6 is better than six duplicate lines unless you need unique labels per piece.

Using rough lumber dimensions instead of finished panel sizes produces layouts that do not fit after edge banding or squaring. List the size after your final machining step.