Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Full Truckload
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You call a slip sheet supplier for a quote.
They ask 10 questions. You expected them to just give you a price.
You get frustrated. Why do they need all this information? Can’t they just tell you what slip sheets cost?
Here’s the truth: Slip sheet pricing varies dramatically based on specifications, volume, and application. Suppliers need specific information to give you accurate quotes—not vague estimates that will change when you order.
Let me show you exactly what information slip sheet suppliers need, why each item matters, and how to prepare for efficient quoting.
The Quick Quote Minimum
At bare minimum, suppliers need these 5 items:
- Size: Length × Width (e.g., 48×40 inches)
- Thickness: In mils (e.g., 100 mil)
- Material: HDPE, LDPE, PP, etc.
- Quantity: How many sheets
- Delivery location: City/State or ZIP code
With these five items, you’ll get a ballpark quote. But for an accurate quote, suppliers need more.
Detailed Information Breakdown
Let’s go through each item and why it matters.
1. Dimensions (Length × Width)
Why it matters:
- Determines material usage and cost
- Affects manufacturing setup
- Impacts pricing tiers (standard vs custom)
What to provide:
- Exact dimensions: “48 inches × 40 inches”
- Or standard size name: “GMA pallet size”
- Tolerance requirements if critical: “±1/8 inch”
Standard sizes (faster and cheaper):
- 48×40 inches (most common)
- 48×48 inches
- 42×42 inches
- 40×48 inches
- 36×36 inches
Custom sizes available but higher minimums and cost.
2. Thickness
Why it matters:
- Directly affects material cost
- Determines performance characteristics
- Impacts packaging and freight
What to provide:
- Thickness in mils (1 mil = 0.001 inch)
- Common: 60, 80, 100, 120, 150 mil
- Example: “100 mil thickness”
If unsure:
- Tell supplier your load weight and handling requirements
- They can recommend appropriate thickness
3. Material Type
Why it matters:
- Different materials have different costs
- Affects performance characteristics
- Determines compliance capabilities
Options:
- HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): Most common, good rigidity, moderate cost
- LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene): More flexible, lower cost
- PP (Polypropylene): Highest rigidity, higher cost
- Virgin vs. Recycled: Virgin required for food/pharma
What to provide:
- Material preference: “Virgin HDPE”
- Or application and let supplier recommend: “Food-contact application”
4. Quantity
Why it matters:
- Volume discounts are substantial (30-50%+ difference)
- Determines MOQ feasibility
- Affects production scheduling
What to provide:
- Specific quantity: “1,500 sheets”
- Or usage rate: “500 sheets per month”
- Annual forecast if available: “6,000 sheets annually”
Be realistic—don’t inflate quantities to get better pricing if you won’t actually order that volume.
5. Delivery Location
Why it matters:
- Freight cost varies dramatically by distance
- Affects total landed cost
- Determines lead time
What to provide:
- City and State minimum: “Houston, Texas”
- ZIP code better: “77001”
- Full delivery address best: “123 Main St, Houston, TX 77001”
6. Surface Treatment (if any)
Why it matters:
- Special treatments add cost
- Affects MOQs significantly
- Changes lead time
Options:
- Standard (smooth): No additional cost
- Anti-slip coating: 15-25% premium, essential for glossy products
- Textured surface: Similar to anti-slip
- Both sides vs. one side: Specify which
What to provide:
- “Anti-slip coating on one side” or “Standard smooth surface”
7. Color (if not natural)
Why it matters:
- Color adds cost and complexity
- Dramatically increases MOQs (5,000-10,000 sheets)
- Extended lead times
Standard:
- Natural (translucent white/grey) – most common, no premium
Custom colors:
- Any color possible
- Requires large quantities
- 20-30% premium plus higher MOQs
What to provide:
- “Natural color” or “Blue color, Pantone 2935C”
Call or Text us at 832.400.1394 for a Quote!
8. Regulatory Requirements
Why it matters:
- Compliance documentation affects cost
- Determines material selection
- Changes supplier qualification
Common requirements:
- FDA 21 CFR compliance: For food contact
- USP Class VI: For medical device packaging
- Food-grade certification: For food applications
- Pharmaceutical GMP: For pharma packaging
What to provide:
- “FDA food-contact compliant” or “No special requirements”
9. Application Details
Why it matters:
- Helps supplier recommend right specs
- Identifies potential issues early
- Ensures appropriate performance
What to provide:
- Product being shipped: “Corrugated cases of canned goods”
- Load weight: “2,500 lbs per load”
- Stacking height: “60 inches”
- Handling method: “Push-pull attachment”
- Transportation mode: “Truckload domestic” or “Ocean container export”
- Any special conditions: “Cold storage” or “Outdoor storage”
10. Timeline
Why it matters:
- Determines if standard lead time works
- Identifies need for rush service
- Affects supplier selection
What to provide:
- Desired delivery date: “Need by November 15th”
- Or lead time tolerance: “Not urgent, 4-6 weeks is fine”
- First order vs. ongoing: “Trial order, 500 sheets to start”
11. Volume Forecast
Why it matters:
- Helps determine if custom specs are justified
- Enables long-term pricing discussions
- Identifies potential for stocking programs
What to provide:
- Annual estimate: “Expect 5,000-7,000 sheets per year”
- Growth trajectory: “Starting with 500/month, growing to 1,000/month by Q3”
- Uncertainty: “Trial basis, could be 2,000-10,000 annually if successful”
12. Payment Terms and Credit
Why it matters:
- Affects pricing for some suppliers
- Determines need for credit application
- May require deposits for new customers
What to provide:
- Payment preference: “Net 30 terms” or “Credit card” or “COD”
- Credit references if requesting terms
- Established account or new customer
Information For Special Applications
Certain applications require additional details.
For food applications:
- Specific food contact requirements
- Temperature ranges (frozen, refrigerated, ambient)
- Moisture exposure levels
- FDA regulation sections applicable
For pharmaceutical applications:
- GMP requirements
- Cleanroom classification
- Lot traceability needs
- Validation support requirements
- Extractables & leachables (E&L) data needs
For export applications:
- Destination country
- Container type (20′, 40′, 40′ HC)
- ISPM-15 requirements (slip sheets exempt, but good to mention replacing pallets)
- Documentation needs (country of origin, etc.)
For high-value products:
- Product value per load
- Damage history or concerns
- Insurance requirements
- Special handling needs
How to Request a Quote Efficiently
Make it easy for suppliers to quote accurately.
Good quote request:
“Please quote the following plastic slip sheets:
- Size: 48×40 inches
- Thickness: 100 mil
- Material: Virgin HDPE
- Quantity: 1,000 sheets (will order quarterly)
- Surface: Anti-slip coating one side
- Application: Shipping glossy cartons, 2,000 lbs per load
- Compliance: FDA food-contact required
- Delivery: Houston, TX 77001
- Timeline: Need by December 1st
Please provide:
- Unit price at 1,000 and 3,000 sheet quantities
- Lead time
- MOQ if different from quantities above
- Any recommendations for our application
Annual forecast: 4,000-5,000 sheets if trial successful.”
This request will get accurate, complete quotes quickly.
Poor quote request:
“How much for slip sheets? Need a quote ASAP.”
This will generate: Multiple follow-up questions, Delays while information is gathered, Inaccurate quotes that change when you provide details, Frustration on both sides.
Questions to Ask Suppliers
When getting quotes, ask these questions:
- “What’s included in this price?” (Product only? Freight? Documentation?)
- “What’s your lead time for this spec and quantity?”
- “What’s your MOQ and do you offer smaller trial quantities?”
- “What volume discounts are available if we increase quantity?”
- “Can you recommend thickness for our load weight and application?”
- “What documentation do you provide?” (COA, compliance certificates, etc.)
- “What are your payment terms?”
- “Do you offer samples?”
Sample Request
Always request samples before large orders.
What to request:
- 2-3 sheets of quoted specification
- Ideally free or nominal charge
- Delivered via ground (not expensive overnight)
What to do with samples:
- Verify dimensions and thickness
- Test with your actual products
- Evaluate quality and consistency
- Test with your handling equipment
What Custom Packaging Products Needs
Our quoting process:
For quick ballpark quote:
- Size, thickness, material, quantity, location
- We respond within 24 hours with estimate
For accurate quote:
- All 12 items above for your specific application
- We provide detailed quote with recommendations
- Clear breakdown of pricing, lead time, MOQ
Our recommendations:
- We’ll suggest appropriate thickness for your load
- Identify if anti-slip or other features would help
- Flag any potential issues with your configuration
- Offer volume discount tiers
Sample policy:
- Free samples for serious buyers
- 2-3 sheets shipped via ground
- Enables testing before commitment
We want to ensure slip sheets work for your application—not just sell you something.
The Bottom Line
To quote plastic slip sheets accurately, suppliers need:
Essential: Size, thickness, material, quantity, delivery location
Important: Surface treatment, application details, timeline, volume forecast
For special applications: Regulatory requirements, specific compliance needs, special handling
Provide complete information upfront for: Accurate quotes without multiple revisions, Faster quoting process, Appropriate recommendations, Confident purchasing decisions.
Request samples before large orders to verify specifications and test with your actual products.
At Custom Packaging Products, we provide detailed quotes with recommendations to ensure slip sheets work for your specific application.
Call or Text us at 832.400.1394 for a Quote!
Use our quote form or call with your specifications. We’ll ask the right questions, provide accurate pricing, and recommend optimal configurations for your needs.
Complete information upfront saves time and ensures accuracy.