Putting together a quote: Advise requested

I'm not very good at putting price quotes together but I after searching and reading a lot of posts from knowedgable people on this site, I put together this quote.

*Set up box
size: (to be determined) What size would you recommend based on the information below?
print: 4 color, glossy finish

*Instruction booklet
size: 8.5" x 10.975" - 2 sheets
folded 8.5" x 5.4375"
print: 1c+1c

*Card deck (1)
qty: 120 cards (5 different designs)
size: 1-3/4 by 2 5/8
material: 11 point
Print: 1c+2c
square corners

*Card deck (2)
qty: 88 Cards (42 different designs)
size: 2.5 x 3.5 inch
material: 260 gsm
print: 2c+4c

*Dice
qty: 2 pcs
size: 16mm

*Insert/platform

*Shrink-wrap

*Shipping to Los Angeles

*1,000 - 3,000 - & 5,000 price quotes
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1. Card deck (1) is the same card size as the resource card size as settlers. I am looking for that type of quality in the card so I'm not sure if my "material" is correct. Please advise

2. Card deck (2) is going to be my nicer cards so I was looking for a heavier stock. Any advise there?

3. The maximum number of cards you can hold in the game is 10. Unless you have specialty card (rare) which will allow you to hold 20 and that is why I choose the smaller cards. Based on your experience, is it less expensive to go with the smaller cards or is it less expensive to make all them one size (poker size cards)?

Thanks in advance

Ali,

Since no one has replied yet, I'd thought I'd chime in to at least let you know we're not ignoring you. One of the reasons why you haven't got much of a response is there isn't really much of a question; I.E. You seem to have your ducks all in a row. As for the box size, simply requesting the box should be sufficient. The printer should be able to work out a good size for the box based upon the dimensions you provided for the components (for example, you know the box has to be at least 8.5" x 5.4375 because that is the size of your largest component (rulebook).

Regarding question #1, when you ask for the quote, simply tell them that you want equivalent quality to Settlers resource cards, possibly even mail them a card so they know exactly what you're talking about.

As for question #2, simply ask for playing card quality cards. Generally these are stiffer than card stock (but they still snap back, which makes them easy to shuffle), have an opaque layer in between (so you can't see through them when held to the light), and they are glossy/semiglossy/laminated (again which makes them easier to shuffle). However, going the playing card route can add some expense to your game. Another thing you may want to consider is to have your cards created by a seperate printer; I.E. one that specializes in playing cards. It may cheaper to go this route and you may get better quality cards (assuming that the average printer might not have experience creating playing card quality).

Regarding #3, I have no real experience with publishing games, since for now it's really just a hobby of mine, but experience within this community tells me that there is no 'blanket' answer for your question. The best practice is to ask for prices of both. As in ask for a price for the two different sized card decks, and also request a quote for the one sized deck. Each printer is going to be different so you should go into each encounter with them assuming nothing.

Hope this helps. Again I don't have any real experience with requests for quotes other what I have gleaned from this community, so please keep that in mind when reviewing my advice.

-Darke

I really don't know how to get those cool quote boxes in my message so I'll just paraphrase. Darke you suggested going with a specialty printer for cards. Do you happen to know of any good ones? I'll actually open that up to anyone. I don't know if that information will specifically help you ali, but I think it would help me and many others.

Thanks