How do I compare makeup brush supplier quotes fairly?
Compare the same product or set, quantity unit, construction, logo, packaging, sample scope and delivery basis. List optional items and exclusions separately. A lower headline price is not evidence of equivalent specifications or approval conditions.
| Quote field | Ask each supplier to specify | Why it changes the comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Product and quantity unit | Exact brush or set, number of pieces per set and quantity per design or finish. | A price per brush cannot be compared directly with a price per set. |
| Construction | Head profile, recorded sizes, fibre specification, handle and ferrule. | Similar-looking brushes may have different agreed constructions. |
| Logo and packaging | Marking method, positions, artwork scope, packaging contents and setup items. | A base brush price may not include the finished presentation. |
| Sampling and revisions | Sampling scope, proposed revisions, approval process and separate charges. | The first sample and a revised custom sample may involve different work. |
| Delivery scope | Destination, packing, dispatch basis and which transport or destination charges are included. | Compare the same delivery scope and confirm exclusions in writing. |
Send one clear brief to compare like with like.
Start with a product code or reference, formula and use, target quantity, colour, logo requirements and packaging. Mark anything still undecided. Ask for alternative specifications as separate options so a lower quote is not mistaken for the same product when a component or finish has changed.
Count pieces and sets explicitly.
PRETTY counts single brushes in pieces and collections in sets. For example, 500 five-brush sets contain 2,500 brushes. This illustrates the counting method; it is not a minimum order or an offer. Confirm whether quantity thresholds apply to each model, colour or packaging version.
Confirm the applicable minimum and sampling scope.
Ask how the minimum order applies to each design, colour and packaging option. Request a separate breakdown for sampling, any revisions, bulk production, applicable setup charges and delivery. This makes it easier to see what you are comparing and which costs may change.
Separate a cheaper specification from a better quote.
Ask what the price includes and which elements are optional. Compare the fibre and head specifications, finish, logo, packaging and sample approval requirements alongside the price. Avoid treating a claim such as “premium quality” as a substitute for a written specification and physical sample.
Build the timeline around the actual work.
Treat sampling and revisions, sample and artwork approval, component preparation, bulk production and shipping as separate stages. A change to fibre, finish, packaging or quantity can change both cost and timing. Share the destination and required arrival date early, and ask the quotation to state its production start conditions and delivery scope. Do not treat dispatch time as arrival time.
Check the terms before placing the order.
Check how long the quotation is valid, which options are included, what must be approved before production and which delivery charges are excluded. If your launch date is fixed, raise it before accepting the schedule. Keep the agreed terms with the specification and approved sample record.
Use this in your sample review
Compare the same order before comparing the price
Use one configuration for every supplier. Keep alternative constructions in separate columns or rows so that a cheaper option does not silently replace the specification you wanted.
Swipe across the table to read all three columns.
| Comparison issue | What to normalise | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Pieces versus sets | 500 five-brush sets contain 2,500 brushes. This is arithmetic only, not a minimum-order offer. | Is the quoted price per brush, per complete set, or per packed set? |
| Variant quantities | Record the quantity for each design, colour and packaging version. | Does the minimum apply to each variant, and can any variants be combined? |
| One-time and recurring charges | Separate sampling, artwork/setup and tooling from the repeat unit price. | Which items are included, optional, or charged again on a reorder? |
| Delivery scope | Use the same destination and stated delivery basis. | Who covers freight, destination charges and any applicable duties or taxes? |
Record exclusions before calculating a total.
A brush-only quote cannot be treated as the finished packed-set cost. List each included and excluded item, currency, quantity unit and quotation validity. Do not calculate a landed total while freight or destination charges remain unknown.
Keep a lower-cost revision traceable.
If a supplier proposes another fibre, head size, finish or case, label it as a separate option. Review what changes in use, appearance and packing, then sample the selected construction. The headline price alone cannot establish equivalent performance.
Supplier quote comparison worksheet
A blank CSV for your own review. Open it in Excel or another spreadsheet app, complete it privately, and share it with your chosen supplier when ready. Nothing is submitted by downloading it.
Download the blank worksheet (CSV) ↓PRETTY · Template revised 2026-09-22 · Not a completed inspection or certification.Plan your next step
Ready to discuss your project?
Tell us which brushes you want to develop, how they will be used and what you would like to customise. Add the points from this guide to your enquiry so we can review the specification and sample requirements with you.
Send PRETTY your selected designs, quantities, branding, packaging and destination. Ask us to separate the brush or set price, sampling, development and delivery scope so you can assess the quotation against one clear specification.
Request an itemised quote from PRETTY →Choose references for your quotationApply this to your product brief.
Use one reference and one written configuration for the comparison, then record any alternative as a different option.