From packaging brief to production trial

Write a brief that several teams can use

Bring procurement, operations, quality and brand requirements into one document. Describe the contents, target fill volume, filling process, closure, handling, decoration and distribution route. State which dimensions are fixed by equipment or customer requirements and which remain open for design discussion.

Include a forecast with assumptions, an intended launch date and the decisions needed before that date. Ask for separate confirmation of development scope, tooling responsibilities, sample stages, commercial quantities and timing. A clear brief makes these discussions possible without treating an early concept as a production commitment.

Approve a specification alongside the appearance

Review drawings with the people who will fill, label, pack and use the container. Ask how the proposed material and manufacturing process support the design. ALPLA describes packaging development as a combination of design, material choice and production technology, followed by evaluation under simulated production conditions.

For your project, ask the supplier to identify the development stages available and what each will establish. Keep a decision log for changes to dimensions, material, colour, closure and decoration. An approved visual should have an equally clear technical definition.

References: [1]

Define what each sample is intended to prove

A presentation model may answer questions about proportions or handling without representing final production performance. Agree the purpose, material, manufacturing method and limitations of each sample before evaluating it. Record what has been accepted and what still needs to be demonstrated.

Sidel’s packaging qualification work examines bottle stability, rigidity, ergonomics and performance before industrial production. Use that principle to frame your own test plan: identify the risks relevant to your product, the checks needed and the party responsible for each. Confirm the supplier’s available testing scope instead of assuming every service is included.

References: [2]

Plan the production trial before the launch

Set aside a trial using the proposed container and components on the intended filling and packing equipment. Agree the trial quantity, product availability, line settings, observations and acceptance criteria in advance. Include opening and dispensing checks with the people who understand the end use.

Close the trial with a written decision: approved, approved subject to defined actions, or requiring another trial. Retain the agreed drawings, component list, samples and inspection requirements. Establish how later changes will be reviewed so a new colour, closure or formulation does not quietly bypass the original approval process.