| Supplier Screening | Business qualification | Business license details, factory address, export experience, product scope, and the contact person responsible for the project. | Information is consistent across the quotation, company documents, factory profile, and online communication. | Only a trading address is provided, documents are incomplete, or the supplier avoids a live factory video call. | 10% |
| Supplier Screening | Relevant project experience | Photos of comparable acrylic luminous signs, installation environments, sign sizes, lighting methods, and export destinations. | At least three comparable references with clear product details and consistent construction quality. | Portfolio images are generic, heavily edited, or show products unrelated to the requested specification. | 8% |
| Quote Evaluation | Quotation completeness | Material, dimensions, thickness, LED type, power supply, color temperature, IP rating, packaging, tooling, delivery term, and validity period. | Every major cost and technical assumption is listed in writing instead of being described as “standard.” | A very low total price excludes packaging, electrical components, mold charges, testing, or export-related costs. | 12% |
| Quote Evaluation | Cost transparency | Separate pricing for sign bodies, LED modules or strips, power supplies, controllers, mounting hardware, samples, tooling, and freight. | The buyer can compare suppliers line by line and identify which specifications change the price. | The supplier refuses to provide a bill of materials or changes specifications without updating the quotation. | 10% |
| Quote Evaluation | Commercial terms | Minimum order quantity, payment schedule, quotation validity, production lead time, shipping term, warranty duration, and claims procedure. | Terms are documented, measurable, and linked to an approved drawing or purchase order. | Unlimited lead-time estimates, unclear deposit requirements, or warranty terms stated only verbally. | 8% |
| Sample Evaluation | Acrylic quality | Sheet thickness, color consistency, transparency or diffusion, edge finishing, surface cleanliness, bonding quality, and dimensional accuracy. | The sample matches the approved drawing and has no visible cracks, bubbles, excessive glue marks, or uneven edges. | Thin material is substituted, protective film is missing, or the sample differs from the quoted construction. | 12% |
| Sample Evaluation | Luminous performance | Brightness uniformity, dark spots, hot spots, color temperature, viewing angle, dimming behavior, and performance after continuous operation. | Illumination is visually even at normal viewing distance and remains stable during a documented burn-in test. | Visible bright points, shadowing, flicker, inconsistent color, or no test record for the lighting system. | 14% |
| Sample Evaluation | Electrical safety and protection | LED and power-supply specifications, input voltage, grounding method, cable routing, insulation, ventilation, and outdoor protection level where required. | Electrical components are matched to the operating voltage and intended indoor or outdoor environment. | No component labels, exposed wiring, unsuitable power supply, or an IP claim without supporting documentation. | 10% |
| Production Control | Pre-production approval | Final artwork, technical drawing, color references, mounting details, component list, inspection points, and signed sample approval. | Mass production begins only after the buyer approves a complete drawing or reference sample. | Production starts from informal chat instructions or the supplier cannot identify the approved revision. | 8% |
| Production Control | Quality inspection system | Incoming material checks, in-process inspection, final inspection, electrical testing, dimensional checks, and photo or video records. | Inspection results are recorded against agreed specifications before packing and shipment. | Inspection is limited to appearance, records are unavailable, or defects are discovered only after delivery. | 10% |
| Production Control | Packaging and shipment readiness | Protective film, corner protection, moisture control, inner cushioning, carton or crate strength, package markings, and loading photos. | Packaging is designed for the product’s size, weight, fragility, and shipping method, with clear identification labels. | The supplier uses thin cartons for large signs or cannot provide packing photos before dispatch. | 6% |
| After-Sales Support | Warranty and spare parts | Written warranty coverage, excluded conditions, replacement policy for LEDs and power supplies, spare-parts availability, and response times. | Warranty responsibilities and replacement procedures are included in the sales contract or purchase order. | Warranty is described only as “lifetime” without coverage, exclusions, or a claim process. | 7% |
| After-Sales Support | Communication and problem resolution | Response channel, technical support, troubleshooting documents, claim evidence requirements, corrective-action process, and escalation contact. | The supplier provides a named contact and a practical process for reporting, diagnosing, and resolving defects. | Messages are ignored after payment, responsibility is repeatedly transferred, or no corrective action is documented. | 5% |