Table of Contents
If you’ve ever talked to ten different packaging suppliers and walked away more confused than when you started — you’re not alone.
We work with skincare brands every day, especially fast-moving digital-first ones, and this is a common pain point:
They’re not sure what questions to ask, and suppliers aren’t always upfront with what matters.
So before you dive into quotes, sampling, and timelines, here are 5 simple but powerful questions you should be asking.
Ask clearly, and you’ll avoid surprises. Skip them, and even a “great deal” might turn into a painful experience later.
✅ 1. “Is your MOQ fixed — or flexible depending on stock or material?”
Many suppliers will say: “Our MOQ is 5,000 units” or “This one needs 10,000 minimum.” You might walk away thinking that’s it.
But here’s the thing: MOQ is often negotiable.
For example, if they have leftover stock of a standard bottle, or they’re already running your preferred color/material for another client — that could mean lower MOQs for you.
🧠 How to ask it better:
“Do you have similar bottles or finishes already in production that we could adapt for our brand?”
✅ 2. “How long does sampling take — and will I get the actual material/color/decoration?”
Some brands get samples and go: “Wait… this isn’t what I asked for.”
That’s because not all samples are equal:
Some are “similar stock”
Some are full custom (what you’ll actually receive)
Some are blank “white” samples for general shape only
🧠 What to ask:
“Can you provide a sample that reflects our exact spec — material, surface finish, pump, print, and color?”
If they can’t show what your product will really look like, don’t expect the bulk order to match your expectations.
✅ 3. “What exactly is included in your price? Are sampling, mold, and shipping separate?”
When someone says, “We’re more expensive,” that’s not the full story.
What matters is what’s actually included.
Some suppliers quote a low unit price — but leave out:
Mold fees
Sampling charges
Decoration costs
Freight, customs, handling…
🧠 Ask this instead:
“Does your price include decoration and sampling? Are there any mold/tooling or shipping fees not shown?”
If they’re vague, they’re hiding the real cost.
✅ 4. “Where is production done — and which parts are outsourced?”
Almost no one asks this, but it’s critical.
A lot of “suppliers” are actually just middlemen. They’ll take your order, and send it off to a third-party factory.
Then what happens?
Delays in feedback
Lack of flexibility
Zero visibility when issues come up
🧠 How to check:
Ask: “Which parts do you produce in-house vs. outsource? Do you control your decoration and assembly process?”
If they hesitate, that’s a warning sign.
✅ 5. “Will I have a single contact person? How often will I get updates?”
This might be the most important question of all.
Many suppliers say “We have a team” — but that often means no one is really accountable. And you end up chasing updates.
🧠 What to ask clearly:
“Can I have a single point of contact from start to finish? Can we do a weekly update check-in?”
If they agree without hesitation, it usually means they’re used to structured client communication.
📌 Final word — no fluff
Most packaging issues don’t happen during production.
They happen because nobody asked the right questions up front.
So before you commit to any supplier:
Don’t just ask for price — ask for the full cost
Don’t just ask for samples — ask what kind
Don’t just ask about lead time — ask what can delay it
Don’t assume they’ll keep you updated — confirm how
At Xumin Packaging, we work with brands who move fast, care about quality, and want clear communication from day one.
We keep MOQs flexible, samples fast, and expectations aligned — so you can focus on growing your brand, not managing chaos.
