Stainless steel flat bar is accessible in a range of finishes, grades, alloys, and kinds before being treated for its intended application. Before being converted from raw material to finished product, they are typically sold as edge-treated flat bars or true flat bars.

Edge-treated flat bars are more cost-effective due to their manufacturing procedure. Manufacturers create edge-treated flat bars, also known as sheared or edged flat bars, by cutting stainless steel plates and then processing them to flatten and smooth the body.