How to Brief a Can Factory: 8 Things to Send for a Quote in 24 Hours

XYH CAN · December 2026 · 4 min read

Most quote requests we receive at XYH CAN say some version of: "Hi, I need tin cans, please send price." We always reply, but we cannot price it. There are too many unknowns. The request goes back and forth for three or four days before anyone sees a number.

If you send the eight items below in your first message, we can usually quote within one working day. This is not a sales trick. It is simply the information a can factory needs before it can calculate steel, printing, ends and freight.

1. What goes inside the can

This one decision controls the lining, the end type and sometimes the tinplate thickness. Tell us the product and its state: liquid or powder, acidic or neutral, oily or dry, carbonated or still, hot-filled or cold-filled. A ready-to-drink cocktail, a milk powder and a wet pet food all need different internal coatings. We select the lining based on what you fill; if you do not tell us, we have to guess, and we would rather not. See how we talk about linings on our compliance page.

2. Volume or weight, and the body size you have in mind

Give either a fill volume (100ml, 250ml, 1L) or a fill weight (400g powder, 850g pet food). If you already know a diameter, say so. Our 100ml beverage can is Ø53 and the body can be made at heights from 70 to 133mm, which covers 100 to 240ml on the same diameter. Powder cans run Ø99 (90–220mm) and Ø126 (100–240mm). If you are not sure, our sizes and lids guide explains how diameter and height translate into fill.

3. Lid type

Easy-open end (EOE), peel-off membrane with a plastic overcap, screw cap, or a plain sanitary end for your own seaming? The lid is a separate component with its own tooling and its own price. If your fill line already has a seamer, tell us the end diameter it is set up for.

4. Printed or unprinted

Unprinted cans have no minimum and often ship from stock. Printed cans carry an MOQ because the plates and set-up are the same whether you order 1,000 or 100,000. If you want print, tell us how many colours, whether you need a varnish finish (gloss or matte), and whether the artwork is ready. Full details are on custom printing.

5. Quantity, honestly

We quote better when we know the real number. If you plan 5,000 for a test and 50,000 next year, say both. Some of our products have low thresholds: printed milk and nutrition powder cans in Ø99 and Ø127 start at 1,200 pieces. Others are higher: the printed 100ml beverage can starts at 20,000. The full table is on can sizes and MOQ.

6. Compliance documents you need

US buyers usually ask for our coating test report to FDA 21 CFR 175.300 (report available on request). EU buyers ask for a Declaration of Conformity under Regulation 1935/2004. If your retailer requires BPA-NI lining, tell us upfront so we quote the right coating. We describe our coatings only as tested to that standard, with the report available; be cautious of any supplier who claims more than a test report can show.

7. Delivery terms and destination

FOB Shenzhen is our standard. We can also quote CIF to your port or DDP to your warehouse. The destination port and whether you want a full container or LCL changes the freight line substantially, so include it.

8. Your timeline

Sampling takes about seven days, printed or unprinted. Production is 25–30 days after approval, the same for first and repeat orders. If you have a launch date, give it to us and we will tell you whether it is realistic.

The one-table brief

Copy this table into your email and you have a complete brief.

Straight talk

If your product is a high-volume carbonated beverage and you are talking about millions of cans a year, a two-piece aluminium can line is probably the right answer, not us. We make printed tinplate cans and our strengths are short runs, limited editions, samplers and powder cans. We would rather tell you that in the first email than after sampling.

Ready to quote?

Our quote form asks exactly these eight questions, in this order. Fill it in and the first response comes within two hours during Shenzhen working hours, with a priced quote usually within one working day.