Quick Answer
A strong RFQ for custom bag hardware should include drawings or samples, product photos, material, finish, dimensions, logo artwork, quantity, target date, testing requirements and packing needs. Clear RFQ details help the supplier quote MOQ, cost, sample time and production lead time more accurately — and reduce the revision rounds that slow projects down. Maya Metal quotes custom stainless steel and brass hardware for handbags, leather goods and luggage from exactly this kind of input.
What Belongs in a Custom Bag Hardware RFQ Checklist?
| RFQ Item | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Design definition | 2D drawings, 3D files (e.g. STEP), physical samples, or clear photos with key dimensions |
| Material | Stainless steel or brass; grade if your standard requires one |
| Finish | Finish type plus a reference sample, color card or photo standard |
| Dimensions | Key dimensions and tolerances; strap width or leather thickness where fit matters |
| Logo | Vector artwork (AI/EPS/PDF), size and placement |
| Quantity | Pieces per SKU, per finish, and expected reorder volume |
| Schedule | Target sample date and production delivery window |
| Testing | Salt spray, nickel release, functional cycle tests if required |
| Packing | Individual protection, pack quantities, labeling by SKU/finish |
An RFQ does not need every field finalized, but every assumption should be marked as an assumption. "Finish: gold-tone, reference photo attached" is quotable; "finish: TBD" is not.
Which Files Should You Attach?
Attach whatever defines the part most precisely. For custom shapes, 2D drawings with dimensions and tolerances are the baseline; 3D files let the engineering team review structure and manufacturability directly — the same review that kicks off the OEM bag hardware manufacturing process. If the part exists in another brand's product or an old supplier's line, a physical sample communicates size, feel and movement better than any file.
Also attach context: photos of the bag, the strap the hardware must fit, or the leather thickness at the installation point. Locks, magnets, buckles and hooks all interact with the bag's construction, and fit problems are the most expensive kind to discover late.
How Should You Specify Material and Finish?
Name the base material explicitly — stainless steel or brass — because it changes the production route, the achievable finishes and the price. If you are open to either, say so and ask the manufacturer to recommend by part function: stainless steel is often preferred for durable moving or exposed parts, brass for premium weight and plated decorative finishes. The materials overview explains the trade-offs.
For finish, a written color name is not a specification. Provide a physical reference sample, an approved sample from a previous order, or a defined standard. If the hardware set includes locks, rings, hooks and chain that will sit together on one bag, say so — the manufacturer should plan finish matching across the whole set, not part by part. See surface finish options for the main finish families.
How Should You State Quantity and Schedule?
Give quantity per SKU and per finish, because splitting one design across three finishes splits setup and can raise MOQ and unit cost. If you are launching, provide both the first order quantity and the expected annual volume — suppliers quote and plan differently for a one-off trial than for a program with reorders.
State your schedule as a target date with context: a trade show, a production slot at the bag factory, or a retail season. Lead time is confirmed after drawing review and sample requirements are defined, so an early target date lets the manufacturer flag what must be decided first — typically structure approval and finish approval.
What Quality and Testing Requirements Should You Include?
Include any compliance or performance requirements your market demands: for example nickel-release testing for parts touching skin, salt spray testing for corrosion resistance, or functional cycle tests for locks and hooks. Name the test method or standard where you have one; "must pass salt spray" without hours and method is not checkable.
Define how quality will be judged: sample approval before production, a master sample for finish color, defect limits for visible surfaces, and whether you will use third-party inspection. If you are unsure what to specify, ask the manufacturer to propose an inspection plan — the quality assurance page describes how this is typically structured.
What Are the Most Common RFQ Mistakes?
The most common mistake is an under-specified finish. "Gold color" covers dozens of visibly different finishes, and quoting against the wrong assumption wastes a sampling round. Always attach a reference.
The second mistake is missing context for fit: no strap width for rings and buckles, no leather thickness for locks and magnets, no installation method for feet and plates. The hardware fits the bag, not the drawing.
The third mistake is treating quantity as one number. MOQ and price depend on quantity per SKU, per finish and per tooling setup — one blended total hides the information the quotation needs. Finally, avoid asking for "best price and best quality" without priorities: if budget, speed or finish quality ranks first, say which, and the quote can be structured around it.
