What Information Should You Send for a Custom Paper Product Quote?

Short Answer

For a useful custom paper product quote, send the product type, finished size, quantity, number of designs, artwork status, material or quality target, printing sides, surface finish, packaging style, delivery country, and any special requirements. If you are not sure about one item, say "supplier recommendation needed" instead of guessing.

A complete RFQ does not need to be perfect. It needs to show what is confirmed, what is flexible, and what the product must achieve. This helps South Print give a more accurate reference quote and avoid price changes after artwork review, sampling, or packaging confirmation.

This guide covers the general RFQ details that apply to most custom paper products, then adds product-specific details for custom jigsaw puzzles, greeting cards and thank you cards, memory cards and card decks, and thank you insert cards.

Why Complete Quote Information Matters

Small and medium buyers often start with a simple question such as "How much for 500 custom cards?" or "Can you quote a 1000 piece puzzle?" That is enough to start a conversation, but it is not enough for a reliable quotation.

Paper product pricing depends on connected details:

• Product size and structure.
• Paper, board, or greyboard thickness.
• Printing sides and color requirements.
• Number of artwork designs.
• Quantity per design.
• Surface finishing.
• Packaging and packing method.
• Shipping terms and destination.
• Whether existing dies, standard sizes, or custom tooling are needed.

When these details are missing, a supplier may quote based on assumptions. Later, the price can change when the artwork, packaging, or shipping details are confirmed. A clearer RFQ helps both sides compare the same product instead of comparing different assumptions.

For puzzle cost logic, see South Print's guide: How Much Does Custom Jigsaw Puzzle Printing Cost?

General RFQ Checklist for Custom Paper Products

Use this checklist for most South Print products. You can copy it into an email and fill in what you know.

1. Product Type

Start with the product category and intended use. For example:

• Custom jigsaw puzzle for retail sale.
• Folded greeting card set with envelopes.
• Memory card matching game for children.
• Flash card deck for education.
• Thank you insert card for ecommerce packages.

This matters because the same printed paper size can need different materials, cutting methods, packing, and quality checks depending on how the buyer will sell or use it.

2. Finished Size

Send the finished size in millimeters or inches. If the product folds, send both the open size and folded size.

Examples:

• Puzzle finished size: 750 x 500 mm.
• Folded greeting card: 5 x 7 in folded, 10 x 7 in open.
• Insert card: 100 x 150 mm.
• Memory card: 70 x 70 mm per card.

If you only have a reference product, send photos with a ruler or tell the supplier the closest standard size you want to match.

3. Quantity and Quantity by Design

Do not only send the total quantity if there are multiple designs. A quote for 1,000 pieces of one design is different from 1,000 pieces split across ten designs.

Clear examples:

• 500 sets, 1 design.
• 2,000 cards total, 4 designs, 500 cards per design.
• 1,000 decks total, 5 deck designs, 200 decks per design.
• 1,000 puzzle sets total, 2 designs, 500 sets per design.

Quantity by design affects printing setup, sorting, packing labels, and production management.

4. Artwork Status

Tell the factory whether your artwork is finished, in progress, or only a concept.

Useful artwork details include:

• File format, such as PDF, AI, PSD, or high-resolution JPG.
• Whether a dieline is already available.
• Whether fonts are outlined or editable.
• Whether bleed and safe areas are included.
• Whether barcode, QR code, warning text, or legal copy is needed.
• Whether the factory should help create or adjust the dieline.

For a reference quote, a design preview may be enough. For a final quote and sample, production-ready artwork usually needs to be checked.

5. Material, Thickness, or Quality Target

If you know the paper or board requirement, include it. If not, describe the quality target and sales channel.

Examples:

• Standard retail puzzle board.
• Thick card stock for a premium greeting card.
• Durable cards for children's learning games.
• Matte insert card for ecommerce packaging.
• Similar quality to the attached reference sample.

If you do not know the material name, avoid inventing a paper grade. Ask for a supplier recommendation based on the product use and target market.

6. Printing Sides and Color

Confirm whether the product needs single-side or double-side printing. Also explain whether inside pages, backs, box panels, instruction cards, or inserts need printing.

For example:

• Puzzle artwork printed on the puzzle surface, box printed outside.
• Greeting card printed outside and inside.
• Memory cards printed front and back.
• Insert card printed double-side with QR code on one side.

For most full-color custom products, CMYK printing is common. If exact brand color matching is important, mention Pantone or color proof requirements early.

7. Surface Finish and Special Processes

Surface finish can affect price, sampling, and production time. State whether you want:

• Matte lamination.
• Gloss lamination.
• Varnish.
• Spot UV.
• Foil stamping.
• Embossing or debossing.
• Rounded corners.
• Texture paper.

Special finishes should be quoted separately unless the supplier clearly says they are included. Do not assume foil, spot UV, embossing, special paper, or custom inserts are part of a basic reference price.

8. Packaging and Packing Method

Packaging can change both product cost and shipping cost. Describe how each unit should be packed and how the goods will be sold.

Useful details include:

• Individual box, sleeve, tuck box, two-piece box, paper box, or bulk packing.
• Whether shrink wrap is needed.
• Number of cards per set.
• Number of sets per carton, if required.
• Amazon, retail store, museum shop, or fulfillment warehouse requirements.
• Barcode, SKU label, warning label, or carton mark needs.

If the packaging structure is not decided, send reference photos and ask for practical options.

9. Delivery Country and Trade Terms

Send the destination country at minimum. If possible, send the city, postal code, and delivery address type.

Also state whether you need:

• Product price only.
• EXW quote.
• FOB quote.
• Estimated sea or air shipping.
• Door-to-door estimate, if available for the route.

Door-to-door or duty-paid service may be available for some routes, but it should not be treated as guaranteed for every product, country, or order size. Shipping estimates should be confirmed after carton size, weight, destination, and trade terms are clear.

10. Target Timing

If you have a launch date, event date, Amazon listing plan, or seasonal deadline, mention it early. The supplier can then judge whether sampling, production, packing, and shipping timing look realistic.

Lead time should be confirmed after artwork, sample requirements, quantity, finish, packaging, and factory schedule are checked. Avoid planning around an assumed fixed lead time before the project is reviewed.

Product-Specific RFQ Details

The general checklist is the starting point. Each South Print product line also needs extra information.

Custom Jigsaw Puzzle Quote: What to Send

For custom jigsaw puzzle printing, the most important details are finished puzzle size, piece count, board quality, artwork, box style, and quantity by design.

Send:

• Finished puzzle size.
• Piece count, such as 100, 500, or 1000 pieces.
• Quantity per design.
• Puzzle artwork.
• Box artwork or box style reference.
• Board thickness or quality target.
• Whether an existing standard die can be used, or whether a custom size or shape is required.
• Packaging method, such as printed box, sleeve, insert sheet, inner bag, or shrink wrap.
• Delivery country and preferred shipping terms.

For a standard retail example, see the retail 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle set case.

Important note: existing die availability and fit should still be confirmed against final artwork, finished size, and production schedule before quotation or sampling.

Greeting Card and Thank You Card Quote: What to Send

For custom greeting card printing, size, fold, envelope, number of designs, and set packing are usually the key quote drivers.

Send:

• Folded size and open size.
• Single card or card set.
• Number of cards per set, such as 12, 24, 50, or 100.
• Quantity per design or per set.
• Whether envelopes are needed.
• Envelope size, color, paper, and quantity.
• Whether the card is blank inside or printed inside.
• Paper thickness or texture request.
• Special finish, such as foil stamping, spot UV, embossing, or colored envelope.
• Packaging requirement, such as belly band, kraft box, clear bag, or retail box.

For a common retail format, see the boxed greeting card set with envelopes case.

If you need foil stamping, textured paper, colored envelopes, or a retail box, ask for those items to be listed separately in the quote.

Memory Card and Card Deck Quote: What to Send

For custom memory card printing, the supplier needs to know the card size, total card count, pair count if it is a matching game, paper thickness, finish, and box style.

Send:

• Card size.
• Total cards per set.
• Pair count, if it is a memory matching game.
• Number of instruction cards, title cards, or extra cards.
• Quantity of sets.
• Number of deck designs.
• Front and back artwork.
• Paper thickness or durability target.
• Matte or gloss finish.
• Rounded corner requirement.
• Box style, such as cardstock box, paper box, tuck box, or custom retail box.
• Safety, age grade, or warning text needs if the product is for children.

For an example, see the custom memory card matching game case.

Memory cards, flash cards, affirmation cards, trading cards, and other decks may look similar, but they are quoted differently when card count, card size, paper thickness, finish, and packaging change.

Thank You Insert Card Quote: What to Send

For thank you insert card printing, the quote is usually simpler, but size, printing sides, paper stock, quantity, and packing still matter.

Send:

• Finished size, such as 100 x 150 mm or business card size.
• Single-side or double-side printing.
• Quantity and number of designs.
• Paper stock or quality target.
• Matte, gloss, uncoated, or writable surface requirement.
• QR code, discount code, website, review request, or brand message details.
• Whether each batch uses the same code or different codes.
• Bundle packing or bulk packing requirement.
• Delivery country and shipping terms.

For a typical ecommerce use case, see the ecommerce thank you insert card case.

QR codes should be tested before printing, and the design should leave enough quiet space around the code.

What If You Do Not Know the Exact Specification?

Many buyers do not know the exact paper weight, board thickness, coating, or box structure at the first inquiry stage. That is normal.

Instead of delaying the RFQ, send:

• Product photos or competitor reference links.
• Target selling channel.
• Target retail price, if you have one.
• Expected quality level, such as standard, premium, or budget test order.
• Quantity range.
• Destination country.
• Questions where you need supplier recommendation.

For example:

"We want a 500 piece retail puzzle for a museum shop. Finished size can follow your standard die if suitable. We need a printed box and shrink wrap. Quantity may be 500 or 1,000 sets. Please recommend board thickness and box structure."

This kind of message gives the supplier enough context to suggest a practical quotation path.

Common RFQ Mistakes That Slow Down Quoting

Avoid these common issues:

• Sending only a product photo with no size or quantity.
• Giving total quantity without quantity by design.
• Asking for the cheapest price without defining material, finish, or packaging.
• Assuming shipping, duty, or delivery method is included without asking the trade term.
• Requesting foil, spot UV, special paper, or custom box structure after the first quote.
• Sending artwork that does not match the requested finished size.
• Not saying whether the product is for retail sale, ecommerce packaging, education, or promotional use.

Clear information helps the factory quote the product you actually want, not a simplified version based on missing details.

Copyable RFQ Template

You can copy this format when contacting South Print:

Product type:
Intended use / sales channel:
Finished size:
Open size, if folded:
Quantity:
Quantity by design:
Number of designs:
Artwork status:
Printing sides:
Material / thickness / quality target:
Surface finish:
Packaging style:
Special requirements:
Destination country:
Preferred trade term:
Target timeline:
Questions for supplier recommendation:

For custom jigsaw puzzles, add piece count, puzzle board requirement, box artwork, and whether a standard existing die is acceptable.

For greeting cards, add folded size, open size, envelope details, card count per set, and retail packaging.

For memory cards and card decks, add card count per set, pair count if needed, rounded corners, finish, and box style.

For thank you insert cards, add printing sides, QR or discount code requirements, paper stock, and packing method.

Practical Recommendation

The best RFQ is specific enough for pricing but honest about what is still undecided. If you know the size, quantity, artwork status, packaging, destination, and product use, South Print can usually give a more useful reference quote and tell you which details still need confirmation before sampling or mass production.

To request a quote, send your project details to sales@southprintcn.com or contact South Print by WhatsApp.

FAQ

Can I get a quote before the artwork is finished?

Yes. You can usually get a reference quote with product type, size, quantity, packaging, material target, destination, and a design preview or reference photo. A final quote should be confirmed after production-ready artwork and packaging details are checked.

What is the most important information for a custom paper product quote?

The most important details are product type, finished size, quantity by design, artwork status, material or thickness target, printing sides, finish, packaging, destination, and trade terms.

Should I send one total quantity or quantity by design?

Send quantity by design whenever there is more than one design. A 1,000 piece order with one design is different from ten designs at 100 pieces each, because setup, sorting, and packing work can change.

Can South Print recommend material or packaging if I am not sure?

Yes. If you are not sure about paper, board thickness, coating, or box style, describe the product use, target market, quality level, quantity, and reference photos. The supplier can then suggest practical options.

Are shipping, duty, or DDP included in the quoted unit price?

Not automatically. Ask which trade term is being quoted, such as EXW, FOB, CIF, or door-to-door if available. Shipping, duty, tax, and delivery service depend on carton size, weight, destination, route, and order details.