5 Commonly Overlooked Items on Quotes for Custom Acrylic Display Cases in Shenzhen

Two quotes side by side show a 2x price difference, yet line-by-line inspection reveals no obvious gaps—this is the most common confusion when ordering custom acrylic display cabinets. The issue usually isn't that one quote is inflated; rather, one party omitted necessary steps from their scope.

These five items are most frequently omitted and most likely to become change orders later. Review them against your quote to avoid disputes down the line.

Missing Item 1: Board type not specified

"Acrylic sheet" is a generic term. Cast and extruded acrylics differ in price, workability, and lifespan: cast sheets have higher molecular weight, making them better for joining and precision machining with superior long-term resistance to stress cracking; extruded sheets are more cost-effective but have higher internal stress, making them more prone to issues when joined or used in load-bearing applications.

If a quote lists only "acrylic sheet" without specifying the type or thickness tolerance, it leaves room for substitution. For high-end display cabinets, specify cast acrylic and define the exact thickness.

Omission 2: The polishing step is listed only as "Polishing".

The edges of cut acrylic appear milky and must be treated to restore clarity. However, "polishing" generally refers to two distinct methods that differ significantly in both effect and cost:

• Diamond polishingDiamond-machined edges are flat, transparent, and free of waviness—ideal for premium display pieces.
• Flame PolishingUse a flame to quickly scan the edges for melting. This method is efficient and cost-effective, but may leave fine ripples on the edge, making it unsuitable for parts requiring high transparency.

The quote only says "polishing," but on-site it may actually be flame polishing. For display cases that are viewed up close daily, clarify this item in advance.

Omission 3: Structural reinforcement and load-bearing capacity not included

Display cases must support stored items. Multi-tier structures, cantilevered shelves, and load-bearing base cabinets require reinforcement—such as thicker panels, added bracing, or optimized load paths—which increases material and labor costs.

If only the design is provided without load requirements, factories will typically quote based on a "barely stable" solution. You may discover sagging shelves after installation, requiring costly rework. Specify the intended load for each shelf in your requirements to ensure accurate quotes.

Omission 4: Packaging and Shipping

Acrylic large items are prone to chipping, crushing, and thermal shock. Proper packaging requires full coverage with pearl cotton, reinforced corners, wooden frame securing, and for large pieces, individual wooden crates. While this adds cost, skipping it means damage upon delivery.

When providing a quote, confirm three key points: packaging method, whether shipping is included, and how damage liability is handled. Packaging standards differ for intercity and export shipments; export packages require higher protection.

Omission 5: UV treatment

Display cabinets exposed to long-term LED spotlights or placed near windows may yellow and lose surface luster within a few years if the panels lack UV protection. This feature is often omitted as an "optional" item during quoting, only to become apparent after the product has been installed for a year.

Required based on placement and daily exposure duration. Recommended for window-side display cases with long-term spotlighting; optional for short-term promotional props.

Three more points need to be clarified in advance.

• Does it include tax? Are mold fees included?For custom parts, molds are typically required. Clarify upfront whether the mold cost is billed separately and the minimum order quantity needed to amortize it.
• Is the cost for a sample the same as for bulk production?Sample unit prices are typically higher than bulk rates. Please confirm whether the sample fee can be credited toward your order after placement.
• After-Sales CoverageNon-human-induced seam cracking or deformation: Warranty duration and resolution procedures should be documented in the contract rather than relying on verbal promises.

Our pricing model

Please send us the drawings or photos of the actual product, including dimensions, quantity, and intended use case. We will first determine the manufacturing process, then provide a detailed breakdown by material, operations, tooling, and packaging—rather than just a single total price. This way, you can verify exactly what each item costs.

Rush delivery in 72 hours, samples in 7 days, bulk orders in 25 days. Laser cutting tolerance per pass: ≤±0.1mm. Equipped with a 12-meter oven to handle large-scale hot bending up to 10 meters. Production organized according to ISO 9001 quality management standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there such a large price difference between two quotes for the same size?

The price difference usually comes from the process and material: one quotes based on cast sheets with diamond polishing, while the other uses extruded sheets with flame polishing. The shapes are identical, but the finish quality and lifespan differ significantly. Compare each of the five points above to identify exactly where the cost gap lies.

Will the factory accept an order for just one display case?

Prototypes and small batches are accepted; pricing depends on process complexity. Single-piece orders typically include a feasibility assessment of the design for manufacturing, identifying structures that cannot be mass-produced or are cost-prohibitive before mold development begins.

How do I coordinate with out-of-town partners?

Remote support available: from blueprint evaluation and prototyping to mass production and shipping—all completed remotely. Our products have been exported to 50+ countries and regions worldwide; cross-regional collaboration is standard practice.

About Us

Shenzhen Ruiligao Display Technology Co., Ltd. has been in the industry for 2008 years and was registered in 2022. It operates a self-owned production facility covering 6500㎡ (office based in Shenzhen, manufacturing plant in Dongguan). Core technologies include seamless acrylic joining, integrated flange molding, and UV-resistant modification, all protected by independent intellectual property rights.

The product has passed SGS, UL, CE, and FDA certifications. It is exported to over 50 countries and regions worldwide and collaborates with 5 universities—including Shandong University, Ocean University of China, South China University of Technology, Shenzhen University, and Jinan University—for industry-academia-research partnerships. Phone: 18219162851