{"id":4783,"date":"2026-08-16T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/printshop.paperlust.co\/blog\/?p=4783"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:34:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T10:34:23","slug":"packaging-quote-checklist-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/printshop.paperlust.co\/blog\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia","title":{"rendered":"What a Packaging Supplier Needs to Quote Accurately"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n#post-4783 .entry-content p { font-size:20px; line-height:1.7; }\n#post-4783 .entry-content h2 { font-size:34px; line-height:1.3; text-transform:none; margin-top:48px; }\n#post-4783 .entry-content h3 { font-size:24px; line-height:1.35; text-transform:none; margin-top:32px; }\n#post-4783 .entry-content ul, #post-4783 .entry-content ol { font-size:20px; line-height:1.7; }\n#post-4783 .entry-content table { font-size:16px; line-height:1.5; }\n#post-4783 .entry-content figure.pl-fig { margin:34px 0; }\n@media (max-width:768px) {\n  #post-4783 .entry-content p,\n  #post-4783 .entry-content ul,\n  #post-4783 .entry-content ol { font-size:18px; }\n  #post-4783 .entry-content table { font-size:14px; }\n}\n<\/style>\n<p>Getting a packaging quote is fast when you arrive with the right information. Most of the delays and follow-up emails happen because a buyer sends a general enquiry and the supplier has to ask three more questions before they can put a figure on the job. This checklist covers everything a supplier needs from you, and explains why each item shifts the price, because that is the part most guides leave out.<\/p>\n<p>The details that catch most buyers are not always the obvious ones. Dimensions and quantity matter, but the specific type of dimensions, the specific quantity rungs you quote against, and the way you express your deadline are the three things that generate the most back-and-forth. Getting those three right turns a two-day exchange into one message and one quote.<\/p>\n<p>If your job fits a standard size and a published quantity rung, you may not need to send an enquiry at all. Both published mailer box ranges carry a live price calculator where you select a size and a quantity and the per-box price updates as you go. This guide is for jobs outside those rungs, or for anyone who wants to brief a supplier so completely that the reply is a number rather than more questions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"cheat-sheet\" style=\"background:#f8f6f3;border-left:4px solid #c9a96e;padding:20px 24px;margin:28px 0;\">\n<p><strong>The short version<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Supply <strong>internal dimensions<\/strong>, not external: measure your product as packed with 15 to 25mm of clearance on each side, in millimetres (L x W x H).<\/li>\n<li>Ask for <strong>every quantity rung you are deciding between<\/strong>, not just one number. Setup amortises, so the per-box price curve is what you actually need to see.<\/li>\n<li>State the <strong>print method<\/strong>: full CMYK on a smooth white liner for full-colour, or one to two spot colours on natural kraft. These are different processes with different cost drivers.<\/li>\n<li>Supply artwork as <strong>PDF, SVG or Adobe Illustrator<\/strong> with 3mm bleed, the dieline on the top layer, fonts outlined and images embedded. A JPEG logo is fine to mention at enquiry stage.<\/li>\n<li>Give your <strong>in-hand date<\/strong>, not your order date. Production runs from proof approval, so the supplier works backwards from when the boxes need to arrive.<\/li>\n<li>Include your full <strong>delivery address with postcode<\/strong>. Freight is quoted per job, and destination changes the number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Internal dimensions, not external<\/h2>\n<p>The most common mistake in packaging enquiries is sending dimensions without specifying whether they are internal or external. A corrugated box has board thickness on every face, so a box with 265 x 200 x 90mm internal dimensions has different external dimensions altogether. A supplier who builds from the wrong set will produce a box your product does not fit.<\/p>\n<p>Always measure your product as it will be packed, including any tissue, padding or void fill. Allow 15 to 25mm of clearance on each side. That space lets the product sit without rattling and absorbs a direct impact before it reaches the board face. Too tight and the product stresses the box; too loose and it shifts in transit.<\/p>\n<p>Supply dimensions in the order length x width x height, in millimetres. Not centimetres, not inches. Most corrugated cutting files work in millimetres, and a unit conversion error becomes a dieline error you will not catch until you have a physical box in your hand.<\/p>\n<p>If you are not sure which standard size fits your product, describe it: what it is, how it will be packed, and any awkward shape or fragility. A supplier can match you to a standard rung or confirm that a custom cut is needed before the quote is issued, which saves a round of back-and-forth after the fact.<\/p>\n<h2>Quantities: the rungs you are actually deciding between<\/h2>\n<p>Ask for every quantity rung you are genuinely comparing, not just one figure. A single number gives your supplier one price at one point on the cost curve. What you need to make a stocking or budget decision is two or three points, so you can see the movement between them.<\/p>\n<p>Setup is a fixed cost on every print run. Plates, press makeready and colour configuration are charged once per job, then divided across the total number of boxes. The more boxes, the smaller each one&#8217;s share of that fixed cost, and the per-box price falls at every quantity break. You can only see that movement if you ask for multiple rungs in the same quote.<\/p>\n<p>On the full-colour range, there is an additional effect at the 500-box mark where the print method changes from digital to offset. Small-batch digital (10 to 250 boxes) carries minimal setup but a higher per-unit cost. Volume offset (500 and 1,000 boxes) carries real setup but a significantly lower per-unit cost because the press runs faster at scale. That press change is the reason the per-box price steps down sharply at 500; if you are sitting somewhere in the 250-to-500 range, ask for both rungs so you can see the trade-off clearly.<\/p>\n<p>If you think you might order 500 boxes, ask for 250 and 1,000 as well. The comparison usually makes the decision obvious.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/printshop.paperlust.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-1.jpg\" alt=\"A stack of branded custom-printed corrugated mailer boxes in multiple colours and designs displayed on a fulfillment bench, with warm side lighting illuminating the exterior prints and self-locking closures.\" class=\"wp-image-4850 lazyload\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-1.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-1-650x433.jpg 650w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-1-624x416.jpg 624w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1536px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1536\/1024;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Every finished box on the bench started as a spec sheet someone had to fill in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Print method and colour count<\/h2>\n<p>Full CMYK on a smooth white liner and one or two spot colours on natural kraft are genuinely different processes, and their cost structures reflect that difference.<\/p>\n<p>Full CMYK covers all exterior panels edge to edge in four-colour process printing. It suits photographic artwork, multi-colour brand identities, gradients and anything that needs accurate colour reproduction across a wide palette. The white liner is what makes sharp, vivid output achievable on corrugated board.<\/p>\n<p>Spot-colour flexographic printing on kraft uses laser-engraved plates to apply one or two ink colours to natural unbleached brown board. It suits logos, wordmarks, line art and simple patterns. Because the board is natural brown, ink reads over the kraft tone rather than on a white ground; that is part of the aesthetic. The table below summarises the structural difference:<\/p>\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:28px 0;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;\">\n<th style=\"padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Factor<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Full CMYK (white liner)<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Spot colour (natural kraft)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background:#f9f9f9;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Best suited to<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Photography, gradients, multi-colour brand marks<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Logos, wordmarks, line art<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Board<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Smooth white coated liner<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Natural unbleached brown kraft<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#f9f9f9;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Minimum quantity<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">10 (digital), 500 (offset)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Print process<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Digital \/ offset lithography<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Flexographic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#f9f9f9;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Per-box cost<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Higher (more ink, coated liner)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Lower at equivalent quantity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Tell your supplier which method you want, or describe your artwork and ask them to advise. &#8220;Multi-colour logo with a coloured background&#8221; points to full CMYK. &#8220;Two-colour wordmark&#8221; is a candidate for spot-colour kraft, and will cost less per box. If you want print inside the box as well as outside, say so upfront, because it changes the press configuration and needs to be scoped from the start.<\/p>\n<h2>Artwork: format, state and what to do if you only have a JPEG<\/h2>\n<p>Corrugated packaging is printed from a dieline, a flat template that maps every panel of the box before it is folded. Your print artwork goes over that dieline, and the supplier needs both together in the correct format to set up the job.<\/p>\n<p>Supply artwork as a PDF, SVG or Adobe Illustrator file. Place the dieline on the top layer and label it clearly. Outline all fonts so they cannot be substituted if the supplier&#8217;s system uses a different typeface. Embed all placed images so they do not link to a file that only exists on your local drive.<\/p>\n<p>Add 3mm of bleed outside the dieline cut line on every panel. Bleed is the strip of artwork that extends beyond the trim. Without it, a small press registration variation produces a white edge on panels that should print right to the cut.<\/p>\n<p>If you only have a JPEG logo or no artwork at all, say so in the enquiry. That is information, not a problem. Design services can redraw a logo from a low-resolution source, adjust existing artwork, or build a new design from scratch. Saying &#8220;I have a JPEG logo only&#8221; at the start means the quote comes back with a design service line included. Not saying it means a follow-up question arrives a day later, pushing your timeline by the same amount.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/printshop.paperlust.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-2.jpg\" alt=\"A large flat sheet of corrugated packaging artwork with abstract printed pattern spread on a work surface beside a single folded mailer box in matching design, photographed in soft even studio light.\" class=\"wp-image-4851 lazyload\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-2.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-2-650x433.jpg 650w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-2-624x416.jpg 624w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1536px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1536\/1024;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The flat artwork and the folded result, the two things a quote has to agree on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Your in-hand deadline, not your order date<\/h2>\n<p>The date your supplier needs from you is when the boxes need to be in your hands, not when you plan to submit the order.<\/p>\n<p>Production does not begin when you pay. It begins when you approve your digital proof. Your supplier works backwards from the in-hand date through proof approval, production lead time and freight, then tells you when your artwork needs to be locked. Missing that artwork deadline by a few days can push your in-hand date out by a week or more.<\/p>\n<p>On the full-colour range, small-batch digital production runs 3 to 7 working days from proof approval. Volume offset production takes 2 to 3 weeks. Kraft flexographic production also takes 2 to 3 weeks. Those are production lead times only; freight from the facility to your delivery address is additional and depends on the carrier and destination.<\/p>\n<p>If you are ordering ahead of Christmas or another peak period, lead times may extend and supplier capacity fills early. Give the supplier your in-hand date and ask whether it is achievable before committing. Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/printshop.paperlust.co\/blog\/christmas-packaging-lead-times-australia\">ordering ahead of Christmas<\/a> covers how to build a realistic timeline around AU peak seasons and when the latest safe order windows typically close.<\/p>\n<h2>Delivery address<\/h2>\n<p>Freight on flat-packed corrugated boxes is quoted per job. Boxes ship flat, which keeps freight far lower than if they shipped assembled, but the cost still moves with quantity and destination. A supplier quoting freight to a Sydney warehouse is writing a different figure than freight to a residential address in Perth or a fulfilment centre in Brisbane.<\/p>\n<p>Supply a full street address with suburb, state and postcode. Note whether it is a commercial or residential address, as some carriers apply a surcharge to residential deliveries. If you have a freight account or a preferred carrier, mention that too; the supplier can accommodate it where the arrangement suits both parties.<\/p>\n<h2>Inside print<\/h2>\n<p>Outside print on all exterior panels is included as standard on the full-colour range. If you want print inside the box as well, it needs to be specified at the enquiry stage, not requested after a quote has been issued.<\/p>\n<p>Inside print is available on request and adds 50% to the box price. It is worth comparing: ask the supplier to quote the job with and without inside print so you can weigh the cost against the brand benefit. A plain kraft interior may serve perfectly well for most product categories; a printed interior matters most for gifting, subscription boxes and anything opened in front of a customer. For guidance on how to allocate your packaging budget across features and where the brand impact is highest, the guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/printshop.paperlust.co\/blog\/budget-packaging-hub\">packaging on a budget<\/a> covers which elements move the needle on unboxing experience and which ones you can phase in later.<\/p>\n<h2>Anything that makes your job non-standard<\/h2>\n<p>Most enquiries match neatly to a standard box style, a standard material and a published quantity rung. Anything outside that needs to be in the brief from the first message, because it changes what the supplier can cost without further questions.<\/p>\n<p>Non-standard details to flag:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A box size that does not match any published option, including height changes that alter the flap depth or tuck length<\/li>\n<li>A quantity above the published top rung, where pricing may move to a negotiated bulk tier<\/li>\n<li>A product shape that needs internal fitment, foam inserts or an unusual packing configuration<\/li>\n<li>A board specification beyond standard B-flute, such as double-wall corrugated for heavier or fragile goods<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For a full explanation of how corrugated flute sizes and board grades affect crush resistance, weight and printability, the guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/printshop.paperlust.co\/blog\/corrugated-flute-guide-australia\">board and flute grades<\/a> covers the differences in plain terms.<\/p>\n<p>If you are not sure whether something counts as non-standard, include it regardless. The worst outcome is the supplier confirms it falls within standard pricing. The cost of not mentioning it is another round of questions before the quote lands.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/printshop.paperlust.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-3.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of a corrugated mailer box end-on with full-colour branded exterior design in green and coral tones, self-locking flap open to reveal the interior board, warm side lighting.\" class=\"wp-image-4852 lazyload\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-3.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-3-650x433.jpg 650w, https:\/\/blog.printshop.paperlust.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/packaging-quote-checklist-australia-3-624x416.jpg 624w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1536px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1536\/1024;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Self locking flap open on the board, the detail worth confirming before you sign off.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Your copy-and-paste enquiry template<\/h2>\n<p>This is what a complete enquiry looks like. Copy it, fill in your details, and send it. The sections in square brackets are prompts; replace or remove them as needed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;` Subject: Custom mailer box enquiry &#8211; [your business name]<\/p>\n<p>Hi,<\/p>\n<p>I am enquiring about custom printed mailer boxes for [product \/ use case]. Full details below.<\/p>\n<p>Box type: corrugated roll end tuck front (RETF) mailer &#8211; or advise if a different style suits better Internal dimensions (L x W x H, mm): [e.g. 265 x 200 x 90mm &#8211; or describe product and packed state if unsure] Quantity rungs to quote: [e.g. 250, 500, 1,000 &#8211; please quote each rung separately] Print method: [full CMYK on white liner \/ spot colour on natural kraft &#8211; or advise based on artwork] Colour count: [e.g. 2 spot colours \/ full CMYK] Inside print: [yes \/ no \/ please quote both options for comparison] Artwork: [PDF\/SVG\/AI file attached \/ JPEG logo only, need artwork build \/ no artwork yet, need full design] Bleed and dieline: [prepared and attached \/ not yet prepared]<\/p>\n<p>In-hand date: [DD Month YYYY] Delivery address: [full street address, suburb, state, postcode &#8211; commercial \/ residential]<\/p>\n<p>Non-standard notes: [custom size \/ quantity above published range \/ special board grade \/ internal fitment]<\/p>\n<p>Happy to send reference images or product dimensions on request.<\/p>\n<p>[Your name and phone number] &#8220;`<\/p>\n<p>A supplier who receives that brief can return a quote without a single follow-up question. Whether you are sourcing <a href=\"https:\/\/printshop.paperlust.co\/categories\/mailer-boxes\">custom mailer boxes in Australia<\/a> for a product launch, a subscription programme or ongoing fulfilment, the same template applies regardless of print method or quantity.<\/p>\n<p>&#8212;<\/p>\n<p>For most standard-size, published-quantity jobs, the enquiry template above is more than you need. Both the full-colour mailer range and the <a href=\"https:\/\/printshop.paperlust.co\/products\/custom-kraft-mailer-boxes\">kraft mailer boxes<\/a> pages carry a live price calculator: select a size, select a quantity and the per-box cost updates immediately, including the press-change step on the full-colour range between small-batch digital and volume offset.<\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/printshop.paperlust.co\/contact-us\">custom quote<\/a> is worth requesting when your job falls outside the published rungs, when you want multiple quantity rungs compared in a single document, or when your brief includes inside print, a custom size or an artwork build. For everything else, the calculator gives you a verified number in under a minute.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What is the most common mistake when asking for a packaging quote?<\/h3>\n<p>Supplying external dimensions instead of internal ones. A corrugated box has board on every face, so the internal space is smaller than the external footprint. Measure your product as it will be packed, allow 15 to 25mm of clearance on each side, and supply the internal figure in millimetres. A quote built on the wrong dimension type produces a box that does not fit your product.<\/p>\n<h3>How many quantity rungs should I ask a supplier to quote?<\/h3>\n<p>At least two or three, covering the range you are genuinely weighing up. Because setup is amortised across the run, the per-box price falls at every quantity break, and seeing that movement is usually what drives the decision. On the full-colour mailer range, always ask for a rung on each side of the 500-box threshold, since that is where the press changes from digital to offset and the price step is at its largest.<\/p>\n<h3>Do I need production-ready artwork to get a packaging quote?<\/h3>\n<p>No. A JPEG logo or a rough visual reference is enough to start the conversation. State clearly what artwork you have and whether you need design assistance; the quote will include a design service line if needed. Production-ready files, such as a PDF or Adobe Illustrator file with bleed and outlined fonts, are required before the job can go to press, not before you can receive a price.<\/p>\n<h3>How far in advance should I request a quote and place an order?<\/h3>\n<p>Allow at least 4 to 6 weeks from enquiry to in-hand for a standard job. Small-batch digital production takes 3 to 7 working days from proof approval; volume offset and kraft flexo runs take 2 to 3 weeks each. Add time for the enquiry, artwork finalisation, proof approval and freight. For peak periods such as Christmas, extend that window and lock your artwork early.<\/p>\n<h3>What does inside print add to the box cost?<\/h3>\n<p>Inside print adds 50% to the base box price. It needs to be specified before the job is costed because it changes the press configuration, and it cannot be added after a quote has been issued without the job being recosted. Ask the supplier to quote with and without inside print so you can compare the cost directly against the brand benefit.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I get a quote for a custom box size?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Custom sizes are available on request for corrugated mailer boxes. Include your target internal dimensions in your enquiry, note that the size is non-standard, and describe your product and how it will be packed. For quantities above the published top rung, a custom quote covers bulk-tier pricing and lead times for those volumes as well.<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"question\": \"What is the most common mistake when asking for a packaging quote?\", \"answer\": \"Supplying external dimensions instead of internal ones. A corrugated box has board on every face, so the internal space is smaller than the external footprint. Measure your product as it will be packed, allow 15 to 25mm of clearance on each side, and supply the internal figure in millimetres. A quote built on the wrong dimension type produces a box that does not fit your product.\"}, {\"question\": \"How many quantity rungs should I ask a supplier to quote?\", \"answer\": \"At least two or three, covering the range you are genuinely weighing up. Because setup is amortised across the run, the per-box price falls at every quantity break, and seeing that movement is usually what drives the decision. On the full-colour mailer range, always ask for a rung on each side of the 500-box threshold, since that is where the press changes from digital to offset and the price step is at its largest.\"}, {\"question\": \"Do I need production-ready artwork to get a packaging quote?\", \"answer\": \"No. A JPEG logo or a rough visual reference is enough to start the conversation. State clearly what artwork you have and whether you need design assistance; the quote will include a design service line if needed. Production-ready files, such as a PDF or Adobe Illustrator file with bleed and outlined fonts, are required before the job can go to press, not before you can receive a price.\"}, {\"question\": \"How far in advance should I request a quote and place an order?\", \"answer\": \"Allow at least 4 to 6 weeks from enquiry to in-hand for a standard job. Small-batch digital production takes 3 to 7 working days from proof approval; volume offset and kraft flexo runs take 2 to 3 weeks each. Add time for the enquiry, artwork finalisation, proof approval and freight. For peak periods such as Christmas, extend that window and lock your artwork early.\"}, {\"question\": \"What does inside print add to the box cost?\", \"answer\": \"Inside print adds 50% to the base box price. It needs to be specified before the job is costed because it changes the press configuration, and it cannot be added after a quote has been issued without the job being recosted. Ask the supplier to quote with and without inside print so you can compare the cost directly against the brand benefit.\"}, {\"question\": \"Can I get a quote for a custom box size?\", \"answer\": \"Yes. Custom sizes are available on request for corrugated mailer boxes. Include your target internal dimensions in your enquiry, note that the size is non-standard, and describe your product and how it will be packed. For quantities above the published top rung, a custom quote covers bulk-tier pricing and lead times for those volumes as well.\"}]}<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What to send a box supplier to get an accurate quote first time: internal dimensions, quantity rungs, print method, artwork and deadlines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4849,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Get a Packaging Quote: An Australian Checklist","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"What to send a box supplier to get an accurate quote first time: internal dimensions, quantity rungs, print method, artwork and deadlines.","footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-print-guides"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.1 - 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