Decide What You Need Before You Ask Anyone
Most first quotes come back unusable because the brief was thin. Before contacting anyone, write down the product dimensions at their widest point, the quantity you can realistically sell, the finish direction, the destination country, and the date stock must be in hand. A brief with those five things gets answers you can line up side by side. Our free packaging size calculator turns a measured product into a starting box size you can put straight into that brief.
The Questions That Actually Separate One Quote From Another
Ask for the minimum order quantity in writing, the lead time measured from approved proof rather than from order date, whether an artwork proof is provided before production, what quality checks happen before dispatch, and which shipping terms the price assumes. Vague answers on proof and shipping terms are where first orders usually go wrong.
Warning Signs Worth Slowing Down For
Treat these carefully: a price quoted before anyone has seen your dimensions, a lead time promised without mentioning proof approval, freight described only as an estimate to be confirmed later, and any willingness to start production before you approve artwork. None is automatically dishonest, but each one quietly moves risk onto you.
Understand Minimums Before You Design Around A Format
Minimums follow construction, not brand size. Most styles here start from 100 units, mylar bags from 250, and paper tubes from 500. Knowing this early stops you falling in love with a format your first run cannot reach.
Be Realistic About Timelines
Production for the fastest standard cartons starts from 7 days after proof approval. Rigid, magnetic and other complex structures start from 10 days and can take longer depending on finish and artwork readiness. Shipping time sits on top of that, and the exact window belongs in your quote rather than in an assumption.
A Nine-Point Checklist Before You Commit
Dimensions, quantity, material, finish, artwork format, proof step, quality check, shipping terms, in-hand date. If you can answer all nine you are ready to request a quote you can genuinely compare. If you cannot, fix that before asking anyone for a price.
