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US destination map used as a shipping-scope sketch, not a store locator

Application to purchase brief

folding carton packaging

Translate a project application into purchase requirements for folding carton packaging. Intended fill, packing line and ship-to state change coating, window film and document rows. This map is a destination sketch. It is not a warehouse pin and not a claim that filling happens in the United States.

Use cases that rewrite the RFQ

Dry food fill lines

Write fill weight, grease or dust load, and whether an inner bag sits inside the carton. Oxygen transmission rate and water vapor transmission rate matter more when the carton is the only moisture barrier than when a liner already holds the product. Migration testing files, if the buyer needs them, must name the board and the ink system for that lot.

An 18-24 pt SBS tuck-end carton for cereal is a common brief. It is still not interchangeable with a kraft auto-bottom for bulk dry mix. Ask each factory to quote the same style, paperboard caliper and coating before comparing piece prices.

Chilled and frozen cartons

Ice cream sleeves and frozen-entree cartons often need a moisture-resistant coating and a window film that will not fog or crack in the freezer. Post-consumer recycled content in the board, if requested, is a fiber percentage on the supplier file, not a site-wide recycled badge. Recycled board can change stiffness and shade; those are trade-offs to confirm on a sample.

Ready-meal and tray sleeves

Sleeve length must match the tray. Heat-lamp, steam-table or microwave exposure belongs on the brief because aqueous coating and some window films fail under heat. Edge crush test language belongs to the corrugated shipper around the cartons, not to the carton board itself; do not copy ECT onto a folding-carton RFQ.

Destination and documents

State or postal code, requested delivery date and whether the buyer or the factory books ocean or inland freight all change the total. Pallet pattern, slip sheet and carton count belong on the same sheet as piece price. Food-contact and ink statements travel with the lot; they do not transfer because a previous SKU used the same carton photo.

How often a field appears on a usable brief

These bars are qualitative check weights for buyers, not performance scores for this site and not savings claims.

Style + paperboard caliper
Almost always required before a factory can price converting
Print process and die line
Required whenever printed food cartons are written on the request
Destination and pack-out
Required before freight can sit next to piece price
Migration testing file
Only when the contents and buyer policy ask for it

Recycled board versus food-contact performance

Post-consumer recycled content can support recycling reporting. Food-contact and ink-migration files still need a separate check on the named board and coating. This site does not recommend recycled or virgin board as universally better. The brief should say why a fiber mix is requested and which file the inbound team will review.

Digital print versus offset or flexo for carton decoration

High SKU counts and frequent artwork changes can reduce plate cost with digital print. Stable long runs often keep unit cost and spot color control better in offset or flexographic printing. Ask each factory to quote the same color count and proof path so the plate row is visible. Continue on inquiry options or send the application brief.

Turn the use case into a quote line

Name the fill, the destination and the document list. Then open inquiry options or send the brief here.

Write format, material, size and print; quantity with unit (pieces, cartons or rolls); destination state or postal code and requested delivery / lead time; required product documents and sample needs. Optional target budget with currency and unit or whole-order basis; optional supplier preference. Artwork files can be sent after we reply; this form has no upload field.