PROCUREMENTScope & availability
Confirm the item, quantities, route and supplier availability.
Compare the whole order.
Plan beyond the unit price.
A good quote defines the product, the costs and the route to delivery. Here’s what to include in your request and what to review before committing.
START WITH FOUR DETAILSA useful brief
A useful brief
doesn’t need to be long.
Product or purpose. Quantity. Required delivery date. Ship-to location. Add artwork or a product reference if you have it.
Unsure about the quantity? Request several options—such as 50, 100 and 250—against the same specifications. Those are comparison quantities, not published minimums or price breaks.
For institutional purchasing, add unit of issue, pack sizes, approved equivalents, origin restrictions and required documentation.
See the institutional RFQ checklist →READ THE SCOPE, THEN THE TOTALWhat belongs
What belongs
in a delivered-cost quote?
| Cost / requirement | What to check |
|---|---|
| Product & quantity | Exact item or specification, unit of issue, size mix, approved substitutes and quantity options |
| Decoration & artwork | Method, colors, locations, imprint size, preparation, setup and revisions |
| Samples & tooling | Which sample type or tooling is included, charged separately or not needed |
| Packaging & handling | Individual boxes, labels, packing, assembly and any split deliveries |
| Freight & import charges | Ship-to scope, transit method and whether freight, duties and other charges are included, estimated or excluded |
| Taxes & order terms | Applicable taxes, payment conditions, quote validity and cancellation / issue-review terms |
We identify assumptions and exclusions. There is no universal unit price, minimum or production deadline across the sourcing categories.
WORK BACK FROM THE ARRIVAL DATEProduction time
Production time
is part of the schedule.
A print-ready date and a delivered-by date are different. Include the deadline that your business actually needs.
Artwork & samples
Allow time for preparation, review, revisions and samples where arranged.
Production & packing
The schedule depends on approvals, materials and production capacity.
Freight & receiving
Include transit, import handling where applicable and delivery requirements.
Have a fixed event date?
Put the required arrival date and delivery ZIP in your request. Ask for a route that fits the full schedule; we confirm the achievable dates in the quote.
LET’S GET TO WORKA clearer quote starts
A clearer quote starts
with a clearer requirement.
Send the basics and the quantities you want to compare.