A process design approach for multi-stage stretch forming was proposed by combining the strain distribution method and finite element method (FEM) to determine the minimum stage number and deformation amount of each stage. The strain distribution method was used to calculate the deformation amount of each stage and evaluate the formability through a safety criterion. FE simulation was taken as an analysis tool to reveal the deformation behaviour, to predict the strain contour and to determine the process parameters at each stage. To evaluate the effect of heat treatment after pre-strain on occurrence of deformation defects during the subsequent deformation, a multi-stage uniaxial tension test for 2B06 aluminium alloy sheet was carried out. A case study demonstrates that the approach has high reliability and good practicability.