Start packaging sourcing with the product to be protected, the pack format and the destination market. A carton maker, a rigid-box workshop and a flexible-film converter serve different needs. Use the same written specification for each quote, then compare samples and supporting documents before choosing a supplier.
What to send in a packaging RFQ
- Pack type, internal dimensions, product weight and protection needs.
- Material and board or film specification, plus any intended food contact.
- Order quantity per size and artwork; request MOQ and quantity price breaks.
- Print colours, finishes, dieline and insert requirements.
- Sample approval criteria, test requirements and destination market.
- Tooling ownership, sample charges, production date and named shipping term.
Browse packaging suppliers and read each profile's verification status. When you send your packaging brief, include the specification above so suppliers can quote the same job.
Packaging Categories and What Each Involves
Corrugated and Shipping Cartons
The most volume-driven category. Specify flute profile and wall construction (single-wall, double-wall or triple-wall) against packed weight, stacking and transit conditions. Ask the supplier to recommend and test the board construction for your product. Edge crush test (ECT) and bursting strength (Mullen test) are the key structural parameters — specify these, not just "good quality cartons." Shenzhen's Jindong Packaging makes heavy-duty cartons and UN dangerous-goods boxes alongside retail colour boxes.
Rigid Gift Boxes
Rigid boxes (greyboard construction, covered in paper or fabric) are used for premium consumer products — electronics, cosmetics, spirits, jewellery. Ask for the MOQ per size and artwork, tooling charges, sample cost and production lead time. Custom inserts and finishing can change both price and schedule.
Paper Bags
Retail paper bags with twisted, flat, or ribbon handles. Specify paper weight (gsm), handle type and attachment method, and whether the bag requires certification (FSC for paper sourcing, food-safe certification if used for food retail).
Flexible Packaging
Pouches, sachets, and flexible films for food, cosmetics, and industrial products. For food-contact packs, identify the destination market and intended contents, temperature and contact time. Request material declarations and applicable test evidence for the exact laminate, inks and adhesives. Cosmetic packs need product-compatibility checks; a generic “food-grade” claim does not establish suitability for every use. Filling and sealing those formats is a separate equipment purchase: Xinfuan Precision Manufacturing in Jiangmen builds automatic packaging machines, and its registry check is still open.
Print Processes and What They Cost
| Process | Best For | Cost Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Offset lithography | High-volume, photographic quality, flat sheets | Low per-unit at volume; high setup cost |
| Digital print | Low-volume, variable data, short runs | Higher per-unit; typically lower setup cost; confirm the quote |
| Flexography | Corrugated, flexible packaging, long runs | Low per-unit; medium setup |
| Screen print | Fabric bags, specialty substrates | Medium per-unit; colour-limited |
Finishing options — foil stamping, embossing, debossing, soft-touch lamination, UV spot varnish — each add cost but significantly elevate premium packaging perception. Quote each finish element separately to understand cost drivers. The presses behind some of these processes are Chinese-built too — Longrun Printing Machinery in Shenzhen makes UV printers.
Lead Time Reality
Ask each supplier for separate dates for artwork approval, sample delivery, production, inspection and dispatch. Confirm when the production clock starts and whether tooling or custom inserts add time. Obtain a route-specific freight estimate from your forwarder; there is no single sea-transit time for all Western markets. Build in time for sample corrections and customs clearance.
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