Why does the same box get three different quotes?
The details behind a packaging price, and how to compare what each supplier is actually offering.
You send the same picture to three suppliers and receive three different prices. Before choosing one, check whether they have quoted for the same packaging. A picture communicates appearance; it leaves plenty of room for assumptions about construction, materials and the order itself.
Give every supplier the same starting point
Use one specification, one artwork revision and one quantity for the comparison. State the dimensions and units, intended contents, destination and required timing. If you have a physical reference, explain which parts must be reproduced and which are open to alternatives.
Ask each supplier to identify anything it has assumed. A quote with missing details should stay open for clarification rather than quietly becoming the cheapest option in a spreadsheet.
Look beyond the outside of the box
Compare the complete set of components. The lid, insert, wrapping paper, printed card and ribbon may appear together in the reference photograph without all being included in a proposal.
For each component, check the proposed material, dimensions, finish and assembly. If a supplier suggests a different construction, ask for that alternative to be quoted separately so you can judge what the change means for the finished pack.
Put the inclusions next to the price
Ask for a clear breakdown of what the proposal covers. These are questions to settle with each supplier, rather than costs to assume are included:
- Are artwork preparation, proofs and samples included or separate?
- Are any setup or tooling charges shown, and do they apply again to a repeat run?
- Does the price include the full packaging set and its assembly?
- What packing, delivery destination and shipping arrangements have been quoted?
Compare the route to an approved sample
A useful proposal should also explain the next step: what sample or proof you will receive, what it represents, and what still needs confirming. Keep any exclusions visible alongside the price.
Once the scope is aligned, you can compare the options on their actual differences. Keep the agreed specification and sample reference with the chosen quotation so that production starts from the same information you used to make the decision.