What to Include in a Custom Bag RFQ

Most back-and-forth in bag sourcing comes from incomplete requests. A manufacturer can only quote what it can picture, so a vague enquiry gets a vague price, usually padded to cover the unknowns. A clear request does the opposite: a tighter number, fewer revision rounds, a sample that is closer to right the first time.

Here is what to include, based on the information a structured manufacturer actually uses to scope a job.

1. The product and its purpose

Start with what the bag is for. "A retail tote we'll sell at €15" leads somewhere different than "a giveaway for a 50,000-person event." Intended use drives fabric weight, construction and finish, so state it plainly. If you are adapting an existing model, reference it. If you are starting from a concept, describe the closest thing to it.

2. Specifications

The more of this you can pin down, the better:

• Dimensions (height x width x depth) or at least approximate size
• Material and weight: for cotton, a GSM target; for leather goods, leather, PU or synthetic
• Construction details: gussets, reinforced base, lining, pockets, compartments
• Hardware: zippers, snap buttons, rivets, grommets, metal feet
• Handle or strap type and length
• Closure: open top, zip, snap, drawstring, turn-lock

If you have a tech pack, send it. If you don't, a reference photo plus this list is enough to start. A capable manufacturer will propose alternatives where a change improves cost, quality or lead time, and that is a feature worth using, not a deviation to resist.

3. Branding and decoration

Branding is where surprises hide, so define it early. Specify the method (embossing or debossing, screen or digital printing, embroidery, woven label, PU label, metal logo, hangtag), the placement, the number of colors, and supply vector artwork if you have it. Different methods suit different materials, so it helps to say what you want the logo to look like and let the manufacturer confirm the right technique.

4. Packaging

Packaging is part of the quote, not an afterthought. State whether you need individual polybags, barcode labels, custom boxes or inserts. Retail-ready packing with barcodes carries a different cost and lead time than bulk-packed goods, and confirming it up front avoids a re-quote later.

5. Quantity and target price

Give a real quantity, or a range, plus a target price level if you have one. A target price is not a demand. It tells the manufacturer where to aim and lets them suggest a material or construction that lands near it. Where capacity matters, remember that totes run in much higher volumes than leather goods, so quantity expectations should fit the category.

6. Logistics and terms

State your shipping preference, EXW, FOB or CIF, and your destination. This affects the all-in cost and the documentation you receive. If you have a delivery deadline, say so early; it influences whether a given material or decoration method is even feasible in time.

7. Samples

Decide whether you want a sample before bulk. For a new product or a new supplier, a sample is the cheapest insurance going: it confirms materials, workmanship, measurements and logo execution before you commit volume. Build the sample round into your timeline rather than treating it as a delay.

A short RFQ template

Send that, and the quote you get back is worth comparing. Leave half of it blank, and you'll spend a week filling in the gaps by email.