SKLUBS / BUYING GUIDE
How to prepare a custom packaging quote for your UAE brand
Planning custom packaging for your UAE brand? Prepare the product dimensions, quantity per design and artwork status first. Add your emirate and delivery details so packaging and transport can be quoted on a clear basis.
SKLUBS editorial team · Updated 8 October 2026
- Start with the product, not the picture
- Specify dimensions and quantity per design
- Separate the material requirement from the finish
- Prepare artwork on the right template
- Prepare delivery details for the UAE
- Use this brief when you request a quote
- Compare like-for-like specifications
- Example: an incomplete brief made usable
- Questions before you order
Start with the product, not the picture
A reference image communicates a visual direction, but it does not specify a manufacturable pack. Describe the product, its dimensions and how the packaging will be used: on a shelf, in a shipment or as part of a presentation set. Include anything packed alongside it, such as an insert or accessory.
For a pouch, record the intended contents and filling conditions. A weight alone does not determine pouch size: different products occupy different volumes. For a box, clarify whether the dimensions describe the product, the internal space or the outside of the assembled box.
Specify dimensions and quantity per design
Write every measurement with its unit. Use a consistent order and label it, rather than sending three unexplained numbers. Ask the supplier to confirm the dimension convention for the chosen format before artwork is prepared.
Break the order down by design or SKU. An order of 1,000 units split across four printed designs is not the same specification as 1,000 identical units. At SKLUBS, the stated Mylar minimum is 250 units per design; the stated sticker minimum is 100 units. Other formats and options need confirmation in the quote.
Separate the material requirement from the finish
Describe the required performance before selecting an appearance. Does the pack need to protect a fragile object, contain loose items or suit a particular storage environment? Then list the desired print areas, colours and finishes. Ask which options are compatible with the proposed construction.
Names such as “Mylar”, “barrier bag” or “premium box” are not a complete technical specification. Request the actual material structure where it matters to your application. Do not assume that a metallic look proves barrier performance, recyclability or suitability for a regulated use.
Prepare artwork on the right template
Share your available AI, EPS or PDF files and identify anything still missing. Keep the product format and dimensions agreed before finalising the print layout. Use the supplier-approved dieline for that exact construction; a visually similar box can fold differently.
Ask for the project-specific requirements for bleed, safe areas, colour handling and special finishes. There is no single margin that applies to every pack. A mock-up helps explain the idea but does not replace production artwork or an approved proof.
Prepare delivery details for the UAE
Name the emirate, city, full delivery address and any receiving restrictions. If the artwork uses Arabic and English, supply the approved wording and identify who will approve each language before production.
Provide the destination country, full delivery address and postal code where applicable. Distinguish the date you need the goods from the production duration. Artwork changes, approval, manufacturing and transport are separate stages.
SKLUBS quotes production and transport separately. Ask the team to confirm the delivery terms and any excluded costs in writing for your destination. Compare quotations on the same basis, rather than comparing a unit price that includes transport with one that does not.
Use this brief when you request a quote
- Product: what is being packed, dimensions and intended use.
- Format: box, pouch, label or another identified product.
- Size: clearly labelled dimensions and units.
- Quantity: units for each design or SKU.
- Specification: material requirements, print areas and requested finishes.
- Artwork: files available, template status and design help needed.
- Delivery: destination, address and required arrival date.
- Open questions: sampling, approval steps and requirements to confirm.
Compare like-for-like specifications
Keep a copy of the same brief with every supplier response. Check whether each quote covers the same size, quantity per design, material, print coverage and finish. Record any setup, artwork, sample and transport charges separately where they apply.
If a price changes, ask which specification changed. A smaller box, a different finish or a revised quantity may be a useful option, but it should be visible in the comparison. The cheapest number is not informative if the quoted products are different.
Example: an incomplete brief made usable
Too vague: “I need 1,000 black bags with my logo.”
More useful: “I need a quote for four designs, 250 units per design. I can supply the logo as a vector file. Here are the contents, product dimensions and filling method. Please confirm the pouch dimensions, material construction and print template before I complete the artwork. Quote transport to the attached address separately.”
This is an illustrative brief, not a price or a recommendation of a specific material. The improvement is the information available for checking the project.
Questions before you order
Can I request a quote before the design is finished?
Yes. State which files you have and what remains to be prepared. The quote request can establish the format and specifications; final artwork still needs approval before production.
Does a screen proof guarantee the finished colour?
A digital proof is useful for checking content and layout. Discuss colour expectations and any physical sample needs for the selected material and printing process before approval.
Should I buy more to get a lower unit price?
Compare total spend, storage, likely usage and the risk of a design change. Ask for quantity options without treating a lower unit price as an automatic saving.