A towel RFQ (request for quotation) is only as useful as the specification behind it. A vague RFQ — "10,000 white hotel towels" — forces a supplier to guess, which usually means either a wide price range or a sample that doesn't match what you actually needed. A complete RFQ shortens that cycle considerably.
What Changes the Answer
The right level of detail depends on what you're sourcing. A standard hotel towel reorder needs less specification than a new private-label program. A buying house relaying a client's requirement needs enough detail to be sourced by a third party without back-and-forth. As a general rule: the more customized or the larger the order, the more of the checklist below is worth completing before you send it.
The RFQ Checklist
At minimum, a complete towel RFQ should cover these nine fields:
Product Type
Bath towel, bath sheet, hotel towel, hand towel, face towel, pool towel, beach towel, spa towel, gym towel or custom/private label.
Quantity
Target order size — even a range is useful (e.g. 10,000–25,000 pieces).
GSM
Target weight range. If unsure, describe the intended feel and use instead — see the note below on why GSM alone isn't a complete spec.
Finished Dimensions
Exact size required, not just a category name (e.g. "bath towel" can mean several different finished sizes).
Colour
A Pantone reference, a physical swatch, or a clear description if no formal colour system is in use.
Construction
Border style, hem type, pile/loop construction, and any finishing details that matter for the end use.
Branding
Whether embroidery, woven labels or other branding is required, and where it should sit on the towel.
Packaging
Bulk/bale packing, retail-ready packaging, or custom cartons — and any labelling or documentation requirements.
Destination
Destination country and, if known, port or delivery point — this affects shipping terms and lead time.
What a Complete Specification Looks Like
Here's a worked example of these nine fields filled in for a hypothetical hotel towel program:
Where a General Rule Doesn't Apply
GSM alone is not a complete specification. Two towels at the same GSM can perform differently depending on fibre type, yarn construction (e.g. combed vs. ring-spun vs. low-twist) and finishing. A heavier GSM is not automatically "better" — it may absorb more water but dry more slowly and use more material. Match GSM to the intended application rather than treating a single number as a quality guarantee.
If you don't have a reference sample, describe the intended end use, target GSM range, and any comparable product you can point to (even a competitor's or a retail product) — this still allows the specification to be interpreted accurately.
Cotelle's Process Once an RFQ Is Received
An RFQ submitted through Cotelle is reviewed against these same fields, then moves through specification confirmation, sampling, sample approval, bulk production, quality control and export support. The completeness of the original RFQ directly affects how quickly the first two steps happen — the checklist above is the same one used internally to review incoming requests.
Have most of this ready? Send it through and we'll confirm pricing, sampling and production details.
Send Your Specification