A confectionery company developing a new lollipop product was looking for colored paper sticks that could match its brand design requirements.
Based on the customer’s customization needs, we started by evaluating the feasibility of the printing process, continued coordinating sourcing and production arrangements, and later proposed targeted process adjustments after the customer reported quality issues with paper sticks purchased from another supplier. Through continued communication, testing, and sample confirmation, the project eventually moved into the order stage.
1. Evaluating the Customization Process and Clearly Communicating Production Limitations
At the beginning of the project, the customer wanted the paper sticks to be produced in a specified color, with the logo printed in a fixed position so that the sticks would match the overall packaging design of the lollipop product.
After receiving the request, we contacted several factories to evaluate the feasibility of the required process.
Under the production method assessed at the time, the paper first needed to be printed and then rolled into paper sticks. Variations in paper tension and rolling accuracy could affect the final position of the printed pattern on the finished stick, making precise logo positioning difficult to control.
Several suppliers we consulted at the time were unable to meet this requirement.
Based on the evaluation, we explained the production limitations and additional cost considerations involved in fixed-position printing. We also provided a solid-color printing option together with a quotation for reference, helping the customer balance the desired visual effect with actual production feasibility.
The customer told us that another supplier claimed to be able to produce the requested design, but still asked us to continue testing and provide a quotation.
Based on our communication with suppliers and our understanding of the market at that time, only a limited number of factories appeared capable of consistently achieving this type of fixed-position printing.
Since the customer continued asking us to conduct testing and provide pricing, we believed that they had probably not yet found a supplier that could reliably meet the technical requirement and were still evaluating possible production solutions.
We therefore explained the feasibility of the project in more detail.
Fixed-position printing requires the printed pattern to remain accurately positioned after the paper is rolled into a stick. Under the production conditions available to us at the time, we were not confident enough to guarantee stable positioning.
Moving forward without sufficient process control could have increased the customer’s sampling time and trial-and-error costs.
For this reason, we continued recommending the solid-color printing solution that we could reliably control, while clearly explaining the achievable result and the existing limitations.
Our goal was to provide the customer with a realistic basis for purchasing decisions and to ensure that every commitment we made was supported by actual production capability.
2. Confirming Production Capacity and Discussing a Workable Delivery Schedule
As the project progressed, the customer submitted an urgent purchasing request for a batch of solid-color paper sticks and later increased the planned quantity during the discussion.
Because the request was made close to the Chinese New Year holiday, we checked the production schedule and confirmed that the available capacity could not meet the customer’s requested delivery time.
Our team therefore explained the delivery schedule that could realistically be achieved and provided it to the customer for consideration when adjusting their purchasing plan.
The customer did not proceed with this arrangement at that time, so the project did not immediately enter the order stage.
However, communication remained open for future cooperation.
3. The Customer Reported Quality Issues and Contacted Us Again for Support
Later, the customer contacted us again and reported several problems with paper sticks purchased from another supplier, including color fading, adhesive melting when exposed to heat, and separation between the paper layers.
At this stage, the focus of the discussion shifted from appearance alone to the actual performance of the paper sticks during use.
In addition to color and visual requirements, the customer also needed to confirm whether the sticks could perform reliably during the lollipop production process.
Based on the issues described by the customer, we divided the problem into two main areas: color stability and the bonding performance of the paper layers under heat.
We then discussed possible adjustments with the production team.
4. Adjusting the Process and Preparing Samples Based on the Specific Problems
Based on the customer’s feedback, our team proposed two main process adjustments:
Use of heat-resistant adhesive to address adhesive melting and separation between the paper layers after exposure to heat.
Additional color-fixing treatment to improve the color stability of the colored paper sticks and reduce the risk of fading.
While preparing the samples, we also provided relevant testing information and continued answering the customer’s questions regarding materials and process adjustments.
This helped the customer better understand the proposed solution and the expected sample performance.
5. Showing the Samples and Moving the Project Toward Order Confirmation
During the sampling stage, we first provided photos showing the color and dimensions of the paper sticks so that the customer could confirm whether the samples matched the customization requirements.
Before the samples were originally scheduled to be shipped, we also recorded an actual mouth-contact test video and sent it to the customer as part of the sample documentation.
This allowed the customer to remotely review the sample performance before receiving physical samples.
After reviewing the sample photos, test video, and other supporting information, the customer accepted the proposed solution and decided to cancel the sample shipment and place the order directly.
The project therefore moved from initial requirement discussion and process evaluation into the order stage.
From the original printing requirements to the later issues involving color fading and paper-layer separation, we worked through each stage with the customer step by step.
We explained clearly what could be achieved, where uncertainty still remained, and which production methods we could confidently support.
By providing sample photos and practical test videos, we also gave the customer more information to evaluate the solution and make the next purchasing decision with greater confidence.
Looking for a Custom Lollipop Paper Stick Solution?
If you are looking for custom lollipop paper sticks, you can provide us with your target color, dimensions, printing design, estimated order quantity, and production conditions during candy manufacturing.
Based on your specific requirements, we can evaluate production feasibility and discuss suitable process options, sampling arrangements, and customization solutions with you.
