MOQ and Pricing Explained
Buyers often read an MOQ as a supplier policy, when in reality it is the point at which setup costs stop dominating the unit price.
At a glance
- Board grade, sheet utilisation and core thickness
- Number of print and finishing passes
- Inserts, magnets and hand-assembly time
- Carton count and volumetric freight
Overview
Buyers often read an MOQ as a supplier policy, when in reality it is the point at which setup costs stop dominating the unit price. We publish the tiers and the cost drivers so you can see exactly where the breaks occur.
Ask for the supporting document pack if your compliance team needs to review it.
What Drives the Unit Price
Board grade and sheet yield set the base cost; each additional print or finishing pass adds a setup and a run cost. Inserts, magnets, ribbons and hand assembly add labour, while carton cube affects the freight component of landed cost.
- Board grade, sheet utilisation and core thickness
- Number of print and finishing passes
- Inserts, magnets and hand-assembly time
- Carton count and volumetric freight
If your brief differs, tell us the constraint and we will propose the closest workable build.
MOQ Tiers
Most rigid formats start at 500 pieces. Price breaks are shown at defined quantity steps on the quotation rather than negotiated case by case. Where several variants share a dieline and board, volumes can be aggregated so a small brand is not forced to overstock one SKU.
- Typical entry point: 500 pieces per design
- Defined price breaks shown in writing
- Mixed-SKU consolidation on shared dielines
- Sample fee credited against production
A short technical call usually resolves this faster than a long email thread.
Reading a Quotation
Check that the quote declares grammage, print method, finish list, insert, carton count, Incoterm and validity period. A lower number that omits finishing or assumes a thinner board is not a comparable offer - ask for the specification sheet.
- Compare like-for-like specifications
- Confirm whether tooling and plates are included
- Check the Incoterm and validity date
- Ask which costs change at higher volumes
We document the agreed approach on the dieline or the quotation, not in a separate note.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I order below 500 pieces?
- For some digital-printed or simplified formats yes; tell us the quantity and we will propose the closest viable build.
- Why does a second foil pass cost so much?
- It adds a separate die, setup, makeready and registration check, plus 1-2 days of lead time.
- Are prices fixed?
- Quoted prices are held for 30 days, and any revision is explained against a specific input cost.
Ready to specify your packaging?
Send your artwork, target size and quantity. Our engineering team replies with a structural suggestion, an FOB price and a sampling plan within one working day.
Related Resources
Request a quote
Canfei Packing buyer resource
MOQ & pricing
Canfei Packing buyer resource
How to order
Canfei Packing buyer resource
Lead times
Canfei Packing buyer resource
FAQ
Canfei Packing buyer resource
