packaging-rfq

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description: "A complete RFQ outline for cartons, mailers, and inserts — dimensions, board, print, volume tiers, samples, and scoring."

order: 23

schemaType: "Article"

navLabel: "RFQs"

navGroup: "Buying"

navPriority: 1---

RFQ Skeleton

1. Company + lanes — domestic parcel, export, retail distribution
2. Item list — shipper carton, mailer, insert, tissue, tape (separate lines)
3. Dimensions — ID vs OD stated explicitly; tolerance
4. Board / material — e.g., 32 ECT C-flute kraft; or mailer poly gauge
5. Print — colours, artwork readiness, coatings
6. Performance needs — stack height, test expectations
7. Volume tiers — monthly + first PO + 12-month forecast ranges
8. Packaging of packaging — bundles, pallets, pallet standards
9. Delivery — warehouse addresses, lead times, safety stock hopes
10. Compliance — recycled content claims, food-contact if needed, DG outers if applicable
11. Commercials — currency, payment terms, quote validity
12. Samples — who pays, how many, approval window

Red Flags

• Price far below market with no board grade stated
• Refusal to send production-ready samples
• Artwork "we'll fix it" without proofs
• Pressure to skip testing seasonality for cold chain SKUs

AI Assist

Paste this skeleton + your SKU table and ask AI to draft the RFQ email and a comparison spreadsheet. Humans still pick the vendor.

RFQ Packet Minimums

1. Inside dimensions + tolerance
2. Board/flute or mailer film spec
3. Print artwork + colour count
4. Monthly volume bands (not a single fantasy number)
5. Delivery location and receiving hours
6. Sample lead time and production lead time
7. Payment terms and tooling ownership

Ask three suppliers the same questions. Award on total landed cost and miss-rate risk, not unit price alone.

Related

Corrugated Grades · Packaging Metrics · Dangerous Goods Packaging