What to Include in a Packaging Quote Request

Custom packaging quotes stall for one reason more than any other: missing information. Suppliers pad price or delay replies when dimensions, quantity, or artwork status are vague. This checklist is what we ask for on the Elm Packaging Get a Quote form — and what you should keep in a shared doc for every new SKU.

1. Box style or use case

You do not need the perfect industry name. Tell us what the box must do:

• Ship to customers (mailer boxes)
• Sit on a retail shelf (retail boxes)
• Feel like a gift or luxury kit (rigid boxes, gift boxes)

Photos of your current packaging (or a competitor you admire) are worth a paragraph of guesswork.

2. Dimensions — and whether they are inner or outer

Provide length × width × height and the unit (inches or centimeters). Note if sizes are:

• Inner (product cavity)
• Outer (finished carton footprint)

If you only know product size, say so. We will add board caliper and fit tolerance. For multi-packs, include how units are arranged.

3. Material preferences (or “recommend”)

Helpful phrases:

• “E-flute mailer, kraft outside”
• “SBS tuck carton, soft-touch”
• “Not sure — product is 1.2 lb glass bottle”

We can compare kraft, corrugated, and folding carton stocks side by side when you ask for options.

4. Quantity and reorder rhythm

MOQ (minimum order quantity) depends on style and print method. Share:

• First-order quantity
• Expected reorder frequency
• Whether you need a small pilot before a large run

Honest volume beats inflated numbers that collapse after the first PO.

5. Print and finish

List what you know:

If artwork is not ready, say “concept only” or “need dieline.” Free design support covers dielines and print-ready checks; full creative can be scoped separately.

6. Artwork status and file types

Ideal handoff:

• Vector logo (AI, EPS, or PDF with outlined fonts)
• High-resolution images if needed
• Brand guide PDF when colors must match

Link a Drive or Dropbox folder on the quote form if files are large. Do not wait for perfect photography to start structural quoting — board and size can move in parallel.

7. Timeline and ship-to

Separate production turnaround from freight transit. Tell us:

• Need-by date (event, launch, retail set date)
• Flexibility (standard vs rush)
• Ship-to country or 3PL warehouse

Rush is not always available for every style, but rush 3–4 day production is often possible—ask on your quote. Saying “flexible by two weeks” often unlocks better pricing.

8. Compliance and claims

Mention early if you need:

• Food-contact considerations
• Retailer packaging scorecards
• Specific recyclability language
• Insert materials that must avoid certain plastics

That prevents redesign after proof.

Sample quote brief (copy/paste)

Product: 4-oz candle jar
Style: mailer or rigid gift — please recommend
Inner need: jar 3" dia × 3.5" H + tissue
Qty: 1,000 now / ~1,000 quarterly
Print: 2-color kraft exterior, logo + URL
Finish: none
Artwork: logo AI attached
Ship-to: US East 3PL
Need-by: 8 weeks after proof approval

What happens after you submit

1. We review for gaps and ask only necessary clarifying questions
2. You receive pricing with material/finish options when relevant
3. After you approve commercial terms, we prepare a digital proof
4. Production starts after proof sign-off

Track status on your side with a simple spreadsheet: SKU, quote date, board, qty, unit cost, status.

Bottom line

A complete brief is the cheapest way to buy packaging. Use the checklist above, submit a quote request, and link any related category pages you already like — mailers, retail cartons, or rigid setups. Clear inputs get clear numbers.