Are you new to selling packaging and not sure what questions to ask your customer at your initial consultation? We get it, there is a lot that goes into a packaging print job. A lot of questions, a lot of data, a lot of time. But the effort can pay dividends. To help, we’ve created a question guide, divided by need to know vs. nice to know, to help you gather all the pertinent data on the first call and get a jump start.
NEED to know:
- What is going into the package?
- Stock – type and weight
- Quantity
- Dimensions – L x W x D
- Length – left to right
Width – front to back
Depth- top to bottom
- Length – left to right
- Are the dimensions from the inside (usable space) or outside?
- Style of box? – Tuck, lift top, tote, carrier, sleeve, etc.
- Bottom style? – Tuck, auto-bottom, 1-2-3, seal end, etc.
- Is a tray/insert needed?
- One or two sided?
- Any special processes? – UV, foil, lamination, emboss, raised foil, etc.
- What is the budget?
- What is the timeline?
- Are there multiple versions?
- How will it be used?
- Is fulfillment or warehousing needed?
NICE to know:
- Is this a one-time run or will it possibly repeat?
- Are there other pieces it will need to match?
- Is this a brand new or existing piece?
- Is there a die line, photo, PDF, physical sample?
- Is a window needed? Patched?
- Seam in or seam out? (for glue tabs)
- Will there be a UPC code? Where will it be placed?
- Will the package be used for children? CPIS requirements
- Will the packaging have direct contact with food?
- Will the package be distributed by hand? Mailed/shipped?
- Will the package be exposed to heat, cold, moisture? Stored in a cooler or freezer
- Shelf life/durability needs – Going into a retail store?
- Is a hanger hole required?
- How much does the product weigh?
- Does the package fit into something else?
- How is the package being filled? – Hand or machine
- Will the package be used multiple times or one and done?
- Any packaging/shipping requirements? – Boxing, skid, labels, etc.
Additional packaging sales tools:
