Buying Guide
Custom labels RFQ template
By Cusket Editorial · Published · Updated
A custom label RFQ checklist for specifying material, adhesive, finish, roll direction, artwork files, proofing steps, MOQ, and delivery expectations.
What this guide helps decide
A buyer reviewing a packaging order should not treat a fast reply as a complete reply. This guide focuses on the fields that make a quote usable: confirmed specs, realistic quantity, visible exclusions, delivery responsibility, and the evidence needed before the order moves forward.
Build the RFQ around evidence
For a packaging order, the RFQ should ask for more than price. It should ask the seller to connect the quoted price to the specific configuration, quantity, packaging, delivery assumption, and proof the buyer needs before approval.
Fields to include
| Field | Buyer question | Evidence to request |
|---|---|---|
| material structure | Confirm the exact assumption used in the quote. | dieline |
| dimensions | Confirm the exact assumption used in the quote. | material sample |
| print method | Confirm the exact assumption used in the quote. | print proof |
| finish | Confirm the exact assumption used in the quote. | carton pack-out |
| packing quantity | Confirm the exact assumption used in the quote. | sample approval photo |
| proofing route | Confirm the exact assumption used in the quote. | dieline |
Reply quality test
A useful seller reply answers the requirement directly and names the assumptions behind the quote. If the reply skips material structure, dimensions, or print method, the buyer should ask a follow-up before comparing price.
Buyer follow-up prompt
Ask the seller to restate the quoted configuration, MOQ, target quantity price, one higher quantity tier, included items, excluded costs, lead time trigger, delivery assumption, and the evidence they can provide before payment or sample approval.
Common buyer mistakes
- Treating material structure as obvious because the listing title sounds familiar.
- Comparing price before the seller confirms dimensions and print method.
- Ignoring wrong dimensions until after payment or sample approval.
- Letting a low unit price outrank a complete quote with better evidence.
Decision rule
Move forward only when the buyer can name the confirmed product, the quantity being compared, the price tier, the delivery assumption, and the remaining risk. If any of those fields are missing, the next step is a targeted follow-up rather than checkout.
Record for internal review
Keep a short record with the supplier name, quote date, selected configuration, MOQ, usable unit price, evidence received, excluded costs, and next action. This is enough for another teammate to understand the decision without reopening every seller message.