RFQ Template for Private Label Sunglasses Quotes

This guide is for brand owners, importers, distributors, and retailers who need factory quotes they can compare line by line. A weak RFQ creates mixed pricing, hidden assumptions, and long email chains. One supplier may price PC non-polarized lenses. Another may price TAC polarized lenses. A third may include retail packaging while the others quote eyewear only. Those quotes cannot be compared fairly. A strong RFQ forces each factory to price the same frame, lens, branding, packaging, compliance, MOQ, tooling, testing, and delivery scope. Use the template below to get clearer quotes, faster sampling decisions, and fewer cost surprises before you issue a purchase order.

Why most sunglasses quotes are not comparable

Most sunglasses quotes look simple. They are not. The price is built from many separate assumptions, and those assumptions are often unstated.

A buyer may send three factories the same reference photo and receive three very different prices. One factory may assume an injection frame with PC non-polarized lenses. Another may quote acetate with TAC polarized lenses. A third may include a pouch, cleaning cloth, barcode label, and export carton while the others quote only the eyewear. None of those numbers are useful unless the scope is the same.

Lead time shifts for the same reason. A schedule based on an existing frame color and standard polybag packing is not the same as a schedule that includes custom color matching, metal logo hardware, retail boxes, fresh product testing, and packaging artwork approval. Even a small change, such as moving a temple logo from pad print to a metal plate, can add tooling, approval samples, assembly steps, and extra inspection points.

Your RFQ has one job: remove assumptions before the supplier prices the project. For private label sunglasses, cover commercial terms, frame construction, lens construction, branding, packaging, compliance, quality expectations, and delivery terms in one document. Also identify which items are fixed and which are open to supplier alternatives.

A reliable quote should state what is included, what is excluded, which assumptions were used, and which costs are one-time charges versus repeat unit costs. If a supplier cannot confirm those details, treat the quote as an estimate.

The RFQ fields every buyer should send on day one

Use one email, spreadsheet, or spec sheet with fields in a clear order. Factories quote faster when the request follows the way the product will be developed and produced.

1. Project basics: buyer company, target market, model name or reference code, new development or existing sample reference, target launch date, and whether the design is fixed or open to alternatives.
2. Order plan: sample quantity, first bulk quantity, expected annual volume if known, number of colors, color split, MOQ flexibility, and whether mixed colors can be combined under one purchase order.
3. Commercial terms: target price range if available, currency, Incoterm, destination port or postal code, requested payment terms, and whether freight should be quoted separately.
4. Frame construction: material, dimensions, hinge type, base curve, color, finish, target weight if important, and any tolerance or fit requirement.
5. Lens construction: material, lens category or VLT target, polarization, tint, coating, lens marking, optical requirements, impact expectations, and sales market.
6. Branding: logo method, logo position, artwork file type, Pantone or physical color reference, inside-temple text, and approval process.
7. Packaging: unit pack, barcodes, user information, retail box, carton marks, carton quantity, drop-test or retailer routing requirements if applicable.
8. Compliance: applicable standards, test report expectations, chemical restrictions, labeling requirements, and whether new testing should be included in the quote or listed separately.
9. Timeline: sample needed date, pre-production approval timing, bulk ship window, split shipment needs, and final inspection date.

If you send these fields on day one, a factory can usually return a structured quotation instead of a broad estimate. Short RFQs are fine for simple products. Missing inputs are what slow the process down.

Frame specifications that change cost, tooling, and yield

"Acetate sunglasses" or "TR90 sunglasses" is not a complete frame specification. It is only the starting material. The factory still needs dimensions, hinge choice, color process, finish quality, construction method, and tolerance expectations.

For fit, include front width, lens width, bridge, temple length, frame height, and base curve. If you have a physical reference sample, ask the factory to measure it and return a specification drawing before sampling. Do not rely on reference photos for fit-critical products. If a dimension is critical, state the acceptable tolerance in writing and ask the factory to confirm whether it can be controlled in production.

Material choice drives both price and process. Injection TR90 is often used for lightweight, flexible frames, but a new mold may be required if the shape is not based on an existing tool. PC is common in economical frame programs, though it may feel less premium depending on design and finish. Acetate can provide richer color depth and a more premium retail feel, especially with layered sheets, but it usually requires cutting, CNC milling, tumbling, polishing, and more manual handling. Sheet thickness affects weight, polish time, hinge installation, and final feel.

Hinge details also change cost and inspection. A standard metal hinge is simpler than a spring hinge. Spring hinges may improve wearing comfort, but they add component cost and another functional inspection point. Metal core wire in acetate temples can improve perceived quality, but wire alignment must be controlled, especially in transparent or crystal colors. If wire position will be visible to the consumer, state the visual requirement in the RFQ.

Ask the supplier to identify whether the quote is based on an existing mold, a modified mold, or a new tool. That single line can explain a large difference in unit price, tooling cost, sampling time, and production lead time.

Lens, decoration, and finish options to define before quoting

Lenses are one of the easiest places for quotes to drift. "UV400" is not enough. A supplier may be able to provide UV protection, but the price still depends on material, polarization, tint, coating, thickness, optical requirements, and test scope.

For material, ask suppliers to quote only the options that fit the product position. PC is widely used in fashion and sport sunglasses because it is lightweight and impact-resistant. AC is often used in lower-cost fashion programs. Nylon is used in some higher-performance or premium designs where optical clarity, flexibility, or chemical resistance matters. TAC polarized lenses use a laminated structure and are normally priced differently from non-polarized lenses. They also require polarization alignment and inspection.

Define the lens category or visible light transmission target. For sunglasses sold in regulated markets, lens category affects labeling and permitted-use statements. If you need gradient lenses, mirror coating, flash coating, anti-scratch coating, oleophobic coating, or anti-reflective coating, list each one separately. Mirror and flash coatings should be controlled for color consistency, especially on curved lenses.

Branding should be quoted by method, position, and color count. Pad printing is common for a one-color temple logo. Screen printing may suit larger flat areas. Laser marking can be used for some inside-temple or lens markings, depending on material and required appearance. Hot stamping may be used for metallic-looking text on some surfaces or packaging. Metal logo plates, rivets, or plaques create a more premium look, but they may require tooling, plating approval, attachment method approval, and extra QC for alignment.

Ask the factory to break out tooling, logo setup, sample charges, and unit cost impact. Once you can see the cost gap between a printed logo and a metal logo plate, you can make a sourcing decision before sampling begins.

Use this options table to make factory quotes line up

Ask each factory to fill in the same option grid. This keeps alternatives controlled and makes the price ladder visible. It is especially useful when you are deciding between an opening price point and a more premium retail build.

Do not ask for only one quote if the specification is still open. Ask for two or three controlled combinations. For example, request the same frame with PC non-polarized lenses and TAC polarized lenses at the same order quantities. That will show whether the premium option is a minor upgrade or a margin problem.

When comparing suppliers, require the same assumption line from each one: material, lens type, packaging scope, compliance scope, tooling, sample cost, unit price, Incoterm, production lead time, and quote validity period. Without that line, two prices may look close while covering different products.

Packaging, labeling, and carton details buyers often forget

Packaging is often treated as an afterthought. Then it changes the quote late. Avoid that by specifying the retail and shipping scope before the factory prices the job.

• Unit packaging: polybag, microfiber pouch, sleeve, folding case, hard case, retail box, cleaning cloth, desiccant, and protective lens film if required.
• Printed matter: instruction leaflet, warning card, warranty card, brand insert, country-specific language requirements, recycling marks, and use limitations required by the sales market.
• Labels: UPC, EAN, FNSKU, SKU sticker, carton label, country-of-origin marking, batch code, lens category marking if required, and barcode placement.
• Carton details: pairs per inner box, pairs per master carton, carton size limits, gross weight limit, pallet requirement, and retailer routing guide.
• Assembly scope: whether the factory packs each pair into final retail presentation, ships loose components, or prepares display-ready cartons.

Ask whether the quote includes packaging sourcing, artwork proofing, print plates or printing setup, barcode scan testing, carton strength requirements, and pack-out labor. For e-commerce, a small box change can affect dimensional weight and shipping cost. For chain retail, carton labeling and barcode accuracy can be as important as the eyewear itself.

State exact packaging quantities where possible. For example: one pair in polybag, one microfiber pouch, one cleaning cloth, one instruction leaflet, one barcode label on the retail box, fixed inner-carton quantity, and fixed master-carton quantity or supplier-recommended cartonization. If you do not have final artwork, request a placeholder quote using stated box dimensions, print method, and number of colors. A controlled assumption is better than silence.

Compliance, quality control, and inspection expectations

Sunglasses are regulated or standards-driven products in many markets. Your RFQ should state where the goods will be sold and which standards, documents, and labels are required. Do not leave this for the purchase order stage.

For Europe, buyers commonly require CE marking supported by EN ISO 12312-1 testing for general-use sunglasses. For the United States, buyers may request ANSI Z80.3 and FDA registration-related documentation where applicable. For Australia and New Zealand, specify AS/NZS 1067 if that market is included. If chemical restrictions apply, include REACH requirements. If your company requires supplier management documents, ask for ISO 9001, BSCI, or other audit records separately from product test reports.

Be precise about the document scope. Do you need existing test reports for a similar product, fresh testing on the final approved model, a declaration of conformity, lens category confirmation, user warnings, labeling review, or all of the above? State whether testing costs must be included in the unit price, quoted as a separate line item, or paid directly by the buyer to a third-party laboratory.

Add quality control expectations to the RFQ. Inspection points may include frame symmetry, hinge opening and closing, screw tightness, lens fit, visible scratches, color consistency, logo position, packaging accuracy, label accuracy, barcode readability, and carton condition. If you use AQL inspection, state the inspection level, acceptable quality limits, and defect definitions. If you do not already have defect definitions, ask the supplier to propose them before production, then approve them in writing.

Make compliance responsibility clear. The supplier can provide documents and test support, but the importer or brand owner should verify that the product, labeling, warnings, and documentation meet the legal requirements of the destination market.

A practical RFQ template you can send today

Below is a compact structure you can paste into an email or spreadsheet. Keep it plain and complete. The goal is not pretty formatting. The goal is a quote that can be audited.

Project: Private label sunglasses, model code, target countries, retail channel, launch date, new design or existing sample reference.

Order quantity: Sample quantity, first purchase order quantity, annual estimate if known, number of colors, color split per SKU, MOQ flexibility required.

Frame: Material, dimensions, base curve, hinge type, color reference, finish, sheet thickness if acetate, target weight if important, tolerance requirement, reference sample available yes/no.

Lens: Material, polarized yes/no, lens category or VLT target, tint color, mirror or flash coating, anti-scratch requirement, lens logo yes/no.

Branding: Logo position, method, artwork file type, Pantone or physical color reference, inside-temple text, metal plate or print tooling required yes/no.

Packaging: Unit pack components, retail box details, barcode type, carton marks, instruction leaflet or user information, country-of-origin marking, pairs per carton.

Compliance: Required standards and documents: CE with EN ISO 12312-1 test evidence, ANSI Z80.3, AS/NZS 1067, REACH, FDA registration-related documentation where applicable, ISO 9001, BSCI, or buyer-specific paperwork.

Commercial: Quote at requested order quantities; tooling cost; logo setup; sample cost; packaging cost; testing cost; Incoterm; payment terms; quote validity period.

Timeline: Sample lead time, sample revision time, material preparation, production days, packaging days, final QC date, bulk ship window, partial shipment allowed yes/no.

Notes: Critical appearance points, unacceptable defects, comparison options requested, target price if available, required approval samples.

Send drawings, reference photos, logo files, packaging examples, and retailer requirements with the RFQ if you have them. If the design is still open, say so and ask the supplier to quote controlled options. Clear uncertainty is better than a fixed specification that changes later.

Why source this from Wenzhou with LumiShades

Wenzhou in Zhejiang Province is widely regarded as China’s eyewear manufacturing capital, producing a large share of the world’s sunglasses. That concentration matters to buyers: a deep local supply chain for acetate sheet, hinges, lens blanks, plating and packaging means shorter component lead times, easier color and material matching, and a workforce with decades of eyewear-specific skill. LumiShades has manufactured in this ecosystem since 2009, and our vertical integration — in-house injection molding, acetate cutting, CNC milling, lens tinting, decoration and quality control — means no part of your order is quietly subcontracted to a workshop you cannot audit.

For international buyers, that vertical control translates into accountability. When a single factory owns every step, defects are traced and fixed at source rather than bounced between vendors, and your specifications survive intact from first sample to bulk. We back this with 15+ years of experience, shipments to 60+ countries, more than 5 million pairs produced per year and a 98.5% on-time delivery rate. Our certifications — CE EN ISO 12312-1, FDA registration, ANSI Z80.3, AS/NZS 1067, REACH, ISO 9001 and BSCI audit — mean the compliance documentation your market requires already exists. Explore our manufacturing capabilities and quality control process to see how this works in practice.

Frequently asked questions

Should I ask for quotations at MOQ only or at several volume levels? Ask for several volume levels whenever possible. MOQ pricing tells you the entry point, but it does not show how cost changes when setup, material purchasing, packaging, and inspection are spread over a larger order. Ask every supplier to quote the same quantities, Incoterm, packaging scope, and compliance scope. Also ask them to state the MOQ by model, color, and lens option because those minimums may differ.

What is the minimum technical information a factory needs to quote a new sunglasses design? At minimum, send the frame material, basic dimensions, hinge type, lens material, polarized or non-polarized requirement, lens tint or category, logo method, packaging type, target quantity, destination market, and required compliance documents. If you have a reference sample, photos help, but they are not enough. Ask the factory to confirm measured dimensions and construction assumptions before quoting final tooling or sampling.

Which tolerances should I mention in a sunglasses RFQ? Mention tolerances for any feature that affects fit, assembly, appearance, or retailer acceptance. This may include frame width, lens width, bridge, temple length, hinge alignment, lens fit, logo position, color match, and visible surface defects. Do not assume the factory uses your standard. State the tolerance you need, ask the supplier to confirm whether it is achievable for the chosen material and process, and make the approved sample and inspection checklist part of the production standard.

How should I handle compliance if I sell into multiple countries? List every target country or region in the RFQ and ask the supplier to confirm which standards and documents can be supported for the exact final build. Common requests include CE marking supported by EN ISO 12312-1 testing for Europe, ANSI Z80.3 for the United States, AS/NZS 1067 for Australia and New Zealand, REACH for chemical restrictions, and FDA registration-related documentation where applicable. Ask whether documents are existing reports, model-specific fresh tests, or supplier declarations. Also decide who pays for any new testing.

Is it better to request one final quote or several option quotes? If the specification is locked, request one final quote with all assumptions stated. If any part is still open, request controlled option quotes. For example, compare the same frame with PC non-polarized lenses versus TAC polarized lenses, or compare pad print branding versus a metal logo plate. Keep all other variables the same so you can see the real cost, tooling, compliance, and lead-time impact of each option.

What lead times should the factory break out? Ask the factory to break out sample making, tooling if required, sample revision, material preparation, pre-production sample approval, bulk production, packaging production, final inspection, and shipment readiness. Also ask what can delay the schedule, such as custom color approval, packaging artwork, logo hardware, fresh testing, or missing compliance labels. A lead time is only useful when it states the starting point, such as deposit received, artwork approved, or pre-production sample approved.