An accurate PE packaging quote starts with a clear specification. Suppliers need to know what you are packing, the bag or film format, dimensions, thickness, material, quantity, printing requirements and delivery destination. If some details are undecided, identify them as open questions and provide a reference sample or application photos.
A useful request for quotation (RFQ) allows suppliers to price the same requirements. It also helps reduce follow-up emails, avoid incorrect assumptions and make competing quotations easier to compare.
1. Describe the Product and Its Application
Start with what the packaging needs to do. A bag for lightweight garments has different requirements from a bag holding metal components, while film for pallet wrapping must match the load and wrapping equipment.
- Packed product: Describe the item and its dimensions.
- Weight per pack: State the weight each bag will carry.
- Product characteristics: Mention sharp edges, delicate surfaces, moisture or other relevant conditions.
- Handling: Explain whether the pack will be stored, transported, displayed or repeatedly opened.
- Packing process: Identify manual filling, heat sealing or automated equipment.
Photos of the product inside its current packaging can help the supplier understand fit, loading and handling requirements.
2. Identify the Bag or Film Format
Specify the packaging type before requesting a price. Common options include:
- Press-to-close ziplock bags
- Slider zipper bags
- Self-adhesive bags with a flap
- Open-top flat bags
- Gusseted bags
- PE tubing, sheeting or film rolls
Include any additional features, such as ventilation holes, hanging holes, perforations, write-on panels, barcode areas or serial-number labels.
For resealable packaging, describe how often the bag will be opened and whether closure security or easy opening is the greater priority. Explore custom industrial ziplock bags if you are evaluating a press-to-close format.
3. Define Dimensions and How They Are Measured
Provide the finished dimensions and units. Use millimeters or inches consistently, and include a simple drawing when the measurement method could be unclear.
- Flat bags: Finished width × length.
- Ziplock bags: Width, usable length below the zipper and total length if relevant.
- Self-adhesive bags: Body width, body length and flap length.
- Gusseted bags: Face width, gusset dimensions and length, with the fold arrangement shown.
- Film rolls: Film width and format, including whether the measurement is sheet width or tubing lay-flat width.
State whether your dimensions describe the product being packed, the usable internal space or the finished external packaging. These measurements are not interchangeable.
If fit is critical, include the acceptable dimensional tolerance or ask the supplier to propose one for approval.
4. Specify Single-Wall Film Thickness
State the nominal thickness and unit, and identify whether it refers to one wall of film or both walls measured together. This distinction can materially change a quotation.
Example: “70 microns per wall” is clearer than “70-micron bag.” Measuring both walls of an empty bag together does not give the single-wall thickness.
- 1 micron = 1 micrometer (μm)
- 1 mil = 0.001 inch = 25.4 microns
- 70 microns ≈ 2.76 mil
Avoid using “mil” when you mean “mm.” If you do not know the required thickness, send the packed-product weight, handling conditions and a reference sample. Ask the supplier to recommend a thickness and explain the basis for that recommendation.
5. State Material and Appearance Requirements
Identify the resin or film characteristics you need. Depending on the application, this may include LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE or a specified PE blend.
- Virgin material or a defined recycled-content requirement
- Clear, translucent, frosted, opaque or colored appearance
- Required flexibility, stiffness or surface feel
- Application-specific additives, such as anti-static or UV stabilization
- A required resin grade, approved sample or customer material specification
If recycled content is requested, state the percentage, whether it is post-consumer or post-industrial material, and any supporting documentation required.
If material selection is still open, describe the performance you need and ask for a recommended option. Our LDPE, HDPE and LLDPE material guide provides a starting point for that discussion.
6. Provide Quantity and Packing Details
Quote quantities by size and design, not just as one combined total. Ten thousand bags across five printed designs may have different production costs from ten thousand bags with one design.
- Quantity per SKU: State the order quantity for each size, material and artwork version.
- Repeat demand: Include estimated monthly or annual usage if available.
- Inner packing: Specify pieces per bundle or inner bag.
- Carton packing: State any carton quantity, weight limit or labeling requirement.
- Pallets: Identify whether palletization is required.
For film rolls, state the number of rolls or total net film weight, together with the target length or net weight per roll. Specify core dimensions and distinguish net film weight from gross weight including the core.
7. Include Printing and Labeling Information
Printing costs depend on more than the number of colors. Artwork dimensions, coverage, printing sides and the number of designs also affect the quotation.
- Plain or printed packaging
- Number of printed sides and colors
- Artwork size and position
- Color references, such as Pantone references where applicable
- White ink, large solid areas or other special print requirements
- Barcode, warning text or variable-data requirements
Attach vector artwork when available. If the design is unfinished, provide a draft and request a preliminary quotation with the printing assumptions clearly listed.
For serial numbers, provide the prefix, start and end numbers, number of digits, label position and whether each bag needs a unique number. For example: “PDN0001–PDN5000, one unique label per bag, no duplicates.” Ask the supplier to confirm any setup cost or scheduling impact.
8. Define Inspection and Documentation Requirements
Tell the supplier which characteristics will determine acceptance. This helps align the quotation, sample approval and production inspection.
- Dimensional and thickness tolerances
- Seal or closure performance
- Print position, color and legibility
- Appearance and packing requirements
- Sampling plan or customer inspection procedure
- Required test reports, declarations or traceability records
For food-contact or other controlled applications, provide the intended use, destination market and required test basis. Existing documents should be matched to the relevant material and finished construction. You can review available document information in the Flexon Pack Compliance Evidence Center.
9. Give the Delivery Destination and Required Date
Distinguish the required dispatch date from the date the goods must arrive. Production and transport are separate parts of the schedule.
- Destination country and postal code, delivery address or named port
- Preferred shipping method, if known
- Requested trade term and named place, such as FOB with a named port
- Required arrival date
- Whether partial delivery is acceptable
Ask the supplier to show production lead time and estimated transit time separately, and to identify what starts the production schedule, such as deposit receipt, artwork approval or sample approval.
Copy-and-Send PE Packaging RFQ Checklist
Use the following template for your next inquiry. Write “supplier recommendation requested” wherever a specification has not yet been decided.
- Product to be packed: [Description, dimensions and weight]
- Application and handling: [Storage, transport, retail display or other use]
- Packaging format: [Ziplock, slider, self-adhesive, flat bag, gusseted bag or film]
- Finished dimensions: [Units and measurement drawing]
- Single-wall thickness: [Microns or mil, plus tolerance if required]
- Material and appearance: [Resin, color, clarity and recycled content if applicable]
- Closure and additional features: [Zipper, flap, holes, perforations or labels]
- Printing: [Sides, colors, artwork dimensions and attached file]
- Quantity per size and design: [Initial order and estimated repeat demand]
- Packing: [Pieces per bundle, carton requirements and pallets]
- For rolls: [Width, core ID, maximum roll diameter, length or net weight and winding direction]
- Inspection and documents: [Acceptance criteria and required evidence]
- Delivery: [Destination, trade term and required arrival date]
- Reference files: [Photos, drawing, artwork or sample availability]
What to Check When the Quotation Arrives
Compare quotations against the same specification. Before choosing a supplier, confirm that each offer states:
- The same dimensions, single-wall thickness, material and quantity
- The price unit: per piece, per 1,000 pieces, per kilogram or per roll
- Printing-cylinder, tooling, sampling and other one-time charges
- What packing and freight are included
- MOQ per size and artwork version
- Production lead time and its starting conditions
- Quote validity and payment terms
- Any proposed alternatives or deviations from your request
A lower price may reflect a different thickness, simpler packing, reduced print coverage or a different material. Ask suppliers to identify these differences explicitly before treating the offers as equivalent.
How Flexon Pack Reviews an RFQ
Flexon Pack reviews the packed product, dimensions, material, thickness, closure, printing and order volume to identify a suitable manufacturing specification. Reference samples, drawings and artwork help clarify requirements before sampling or production.
Where a detail is missing, the team can discuss a proposed specification for your approval. The quotation can then address the product configuration, MOQ, packing, production schedule and required documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a quote without knowing the correct thickness?
Yes. Provide the product weight, dimensions, edge characteristics and handling conditions. A reference sample is useful. Ask for a recommended single-wall thickness and evaluate a sample before confirming the order.
Is a photograph enough to get an accurate quotation?
A photograph can support an initial estimate, but it rarely establishes exact dimensions, thickness, material or print details. Include measurements and quantity, and identify any remaining assumptions.
Should I request pricing by piece or by kilogram?
Use a consistent basis when comparing suppliers. Finished bags are often quoted by piece or per 1,000 pieces, while film may be quoted by kilogram or roll. For weight-based pricing, confirm the expected piece count or roll length and whether cores and packing are excluded from net weight.
Do different printed designs have separate setup costs?
They can. Different artwork may require separate printing preparation or cylinders, depending on the process. Request a breakdown of one-time charges and unit prices for each design.
Can a supplier quote an alternative material or thickness?
Yes. Ask for the requested specification and the alternative to be quoted separately, with the proposed changes and expected trade-offs explained. Approve any change before production.
When does the production lead time start?
The starting conditions should be stated in the quotation. They may include deposit receipt and approval of the specification, artwork or sample. Confirm the planned dispatch date separately from estimated arrival.
Ready to request a quotation? Send your completed checklist, drawings or reference photos through the Flexon Pack inquiry page. Include any undecided requirements so the packaging team can help define the next step.
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