Buyer's checklist / Published July 3, 2026

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Sourcing Custom Dice From a China Factory

Most sourcing problems trace back to one of seven avoidable mistakes: skipping the physical sample, not confirming who you're actually dealing with, submitting a vague spec, ignoring shipping terms until the invoice, not asking about QC checkpoints, underestimating MOQ economics, or not getting anything in writing. None of these require special expertise to avoid — they just require asking the right questions before money changes hands.

Mistake 1: Skipping the physical sample

This is the single most common and most costly mistake. Screen renders, color swatches, and even the factory's own catalog photos do not reliably predict how a resin pour, a metal plating batch, or a natural stone lot will actually look and feel. A legitimate manufacturer will produce a physical pre-production sample — typically 7-21 days depending on material — before asking for a full MOQ payment. If a supplier pushes you straight to a bulk order without offering this step, that alone is reason to slow down.

Mistake 2: Not confirming who you're actually dealing with

Not every "custom dice" storefront runs its own production line. Resellers can be fine for small, low-risk orders, but they add a layer between you and the people who actually control quality, tooling, and timelines. A real manufacturer can describe specific production steps (casting, molding, plating, engraving) rather than just "we can do that," and can speak to QC checkpoints and export documentation firsthand. Our manufacturer vs. reseller guide covers the specific signals to check.

Mistake 3: Submitting a vague spec

"I want custom dice, what's your price?" is not enough information for any factory to quote accurately, and vague requests are exactly what lower-quality suppliers exploit with lowball quotes that balloon once the real spec surfaces. At minimum, a workable RFQ needs: material, approximate quantity, numbering and finish style, and any branding or packaging requirements. See the full step-by-step ordering guide for what to prepare before you reach out.

Mistake 4: Ignoring shipping terms until the invoice

EXW (Ex Works) and FOB (Free on Board) are not interchangeable, and the difference can be a meaningful chunk of your landed cost. EXW means you arrange and pay for everything from the factory door; FOB means the factory delivers to the origin port and freight is arranged separately from there. Confirm Incoterms in writing before production starts, not when the final invoice arrives. Our pricing breakdown covers this and the other cost drivers first-time buyers tend to underestimate.

Mistake 5: Not asking about QC checkpoints

"We do quality control" tells you nothing. A well-run dice production line uses defined checkpoints at specific stages — incoming material, in-process dimensions and finish, numbering and fill verification, set completeness, packaging inspection, and export documentation — not a single inspection at the end. Ask a prospective supplier how many checkpoints their line uses and at which stages. If they can't answer specifically, that's a signal. Our own process is documented in full in from sample to shipment.

Mistake 6: Underestimating MOQ economics

A minimum order quantity around 100 sets per SKU is standard industry-wide, and it reflects real fixed costs (mold setup, batch dyeing, finishing changeovers), not an arbitrary sales floor. Buyers who don't plan around this — splitting a small order across too many colorways, or assuming a "low MOQ" supplier can match a fully custom spec at low volume — often end up with a worse per-unit price or a rejected order. The MOQ guide walks through realistic ways to plan a first order.

Mistake 7: Not getting anything in writing

Verbal quotes and chat-message promises are not a substitute for a written RFQ confirmation covering material, quantity, price, sample terms, and shipping. This isn't about distrust — it's about making sure both sides are working from the same spec once a sample is approved and a production schedule is set. Any supplier unwilling to confirm the basics in writing before a deposit is a supplier worth walking away from.

A short vetting checklist before you commit

• Did they offer a physical sample before requesting a bulk payment?
• Can they describe their actual production process, not just "we can do that"?
• Did they give you material-specific MOQ and lead times, not one flat answer?
• Can they explain their QC checkpoints, not just say "we check quality"?
• Did they confirm Incoterms (EXW/FOB) before you asked?
• Is everything — spec, price, terms — confirmed in writing?

If a supplier clears all six, you're very likely dealing with a real, accountable manufacturer rather than a reseller cutting corners on any one of these steps.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a China dice factory is legitimate?

Ask for a physical sample before any bulk payment, get material-specific MOQ and lead times, ask how many QC checkpoints their line uses and where, and confirm shipping terms and export documentation experience in writing.

What are red flags when sourcing dice from a China supplier?

Refusing to sample, pressuring full MOQ payment upfront, vague or shifting MOQ/lead-time answers, no clear QC description, and reluctance to confirm Incoterms or put specs in writing.

Should I pay for a full production order before seeing a sample?

No. A pre-production sample should always come before a full MOQ payment. Paying for bulk production sight-unseen is one of the most common ways first-time buyers lose money.