Normally no. An enquiry can still lack final dimensions, structure, artwork, quantity, accessories, documents or delivery terms. The supplier cannot schedule a stable production route until the agreed release information and commercial conditions are complete.

Not always. Payment may be one release condition, while final artwork, specifications, material confirmation or sample approval may still be open. The quotation and order confirmation should list every condition required before scheduling starts.

A copy, color, dieline, barcode, white-ink or finish change can reopen prepress review and approval. If cylinders, plates or other preparation have already started, the change can also create replacement cost and a revised schedule.

Some Chinese flexible-packaging procurement routes source a specialty film, adhesive, zipper, valve or spout specifically for the order. Supplier starting quantities, incoming timing and qualification can therefore affect scheduling. This is not a universal rule and should be confirmed for the quoted material.

Only if the quotation says so. Reference samples, blank samples, printed prototypes and production-route samples use different workflows. Buyers should separate sample preparation, review time, revisions and final production time.

Depending on the route, stages can include material sourcing, printing, curing or conditioning, lamination, slitting, pouch making, accessory insertion, inspection and packing. The actual sequence and waiting periods should be confirmed for the selected construction.

Not unless explicitly included. Production completion, export packing, pickup, customs handling, international transit and destination delivery are separate milestones. Ask for the Incoterm and the date associated with each promise.

Compare the same starting milestone, sample requirement, artwork status, material route, quantity, packing scope and delivery term. A shorter number is not comparable if one supplier starts counting after more prerequisites or excludes more stages.