When customizing PET sheets, the factory requires a proofing fee mainly for the following reasons:

1. Material cost

PET sheets themselves have a certain cost. PET sheets of different specifications, thicknesses, and performances have different prices. During the proofing process, the factory needs to purchase specific raw materials to meet the customer’s customization requirements. These materials may not be regular inventory products of the factory, and the procurement cost is relatively high.
For some PET sheets with special performance requirements, such as high transparency, antistatic, flame retardant, etc., special additives or special production processes may be required, which further increases the material cost.

2. Equipment debugging cost

Customized PET sheets usually require adjustment and optimization of production equipment. Different specifications, thicknesses, and performance requirements may require different equipment parameter settings. The factory needs to invest time and manpower in equipment debugging to ensure that samples that meet customer requirements are produced.
Some problems may occur during the equipment debugging process, which requires continuous attempts and improvements, which also increases costs. For example, adjust the temperature, pressure, and speed of the extruder to ensure the thickness uniformity and quality stability of the PET sheet.

3. Labor cost

The proofing process requires experienced technicians to operate and monitor. These technicians usually have high professional skills and salary levels, and their participation increases the labor cost of proofing.
From receiving customer customization requirements to completing proofing, the entire process requires the collaboration of multiple links, including designers, production personnel, quality inspection personnel, etc. Everyone’s work plays a key role in the final sample quality.

IV. Risk Cost

Customized proofing has certain risks. Because customer needs may be more special or complex, the factory may not be able to fully meet customer requirements during the proofing process, resulting in multiple modifications or even failure of the sample. In this case, the factory not only wastes material and labor costs, but may also lose the trust of customers.
If the customer does not place an order after proofing, the factory will not be able to recover the proofing cost, which is also a consideration for the factory to charge proofing fees.

V. Market competition factors

In the case of fierce competition in the PET sheet market, in order to ensure its own profits and living space, the factory needs to reduce risks and costs by charging proofing fees. If the factory provides proofing services for free, it may attract a large number of customer needs, but at the same time increase the factory’s operating costs and burden.
Charging proofing fees can also screen out customers who are truly sincere and in need. Customers who are willing to pay for proofing fees usually have higher requirements and expectations for the products, and are more likely to place orders after being satisfied with the samples, thus bringing actual business and profits to the factory.

In summary, the factory requires proofing fees when customizing PET sheets for many reasons, including material costs, equipment commissioning costs, labor costs, risk costs, and market competition factors. When choosing to customize PET sheets, customers should fully understand the standards and reasons for the proofing fees, and fully communicate and negotiate with the factory to ensure that the interests of both parties are protected.