If you want 600 custom notebooks in three designs, send both numbers: 600 total and 200 per design. A single total doesn’t tell the factory how many covers, interior versions or packaging setups it has to produce. The workable minimum depends on what changes between the designs.
Define what each SKU changes
A SKU is one version you plan to sell or stock separately. Start by listing what stays the same across the collection, then list every difference. Three covers with a common dot-grid interior are a different job from three covers paired with three individually printed interiors.
| Example: 600 units total | What stays shared | What to confirm per version |
|---|---|---|
| Three cover colours, 200 each | Trim size, dot-grid interior, binding and box structure | Cover material availability by colour, foil artwork, barcode or label |
| Three themed guided journals, 200 each | Trim size and binding, if specified the same | Interior print files, cover art and label for each title; which proofs or samples are needed |
| One core SKU at 400 plus two at 100 each | Any paper, construction or packaging that can be shared | Whether the smaller versions are workable and which steps have separate charges |
These are quote scenarios, not minimums or offers. Cover stock, special finishes and packaging can have different constraints even within the same collection.
Prepare two versions of the request
- Option A — keep the full assortment: list each SKU and its quantity. Mark any must-have variation, such as a unique interior or foil design.
- Option B — simplify the launch: ask for a price with a shared interior, fewer cover colours, or a common box with separate labels. Keep the features your customer will notice most.
Ask for unit pricing by SKU, any separate setup or sample charges, and the minimum that applies to each design. Compare quotes on the same basis: finished size, materials, number of units per version, packaging and delivery terms. Keep any shipping charge separate if it is not included in the price you are comparing.
Copy this request for a multi-design quote
Total order: __. SKU A: __ units, cover __, interior __, packaging __. SKU B: __ units, cover __, interior __, packaging __. Shared specs: __. Required differences: __. Flexible options: __. Ship-to country and target arrival date: __. Please confirm which minimums apply per design and which costs are shared.
Use the Production Process guide to compare materials and finishes, then request a quote for your planned assortment.