Use the right vocabulary for a reliable quotation
Paper buyers often begin with an image and a desired price. A technical quotation becomes much more comparable when it separates base material, barrier, printing and converting requirements. These are different specification fields, and changing one may affect the others.
This reference helps purchasing managers ask clearer questions. It does not certify a paper structure or prescribe one coating for every food or packaging market.
Technical terms to specify separately
| Term | What it describes | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Paper grammage (gsm) | Mass per square meter of base paper | Affects stiffness, handling and some converting behavior |
| Grease resistance | Resistance to penetration under a specified method | Depends on contact fluid and tested duration |
| PE coat weight | Amount of extrusion coating applied per area | Not the same as base paper grammage |
| Coated side | Which face receives the barrier layer | Important for printing, contact and sealing design |
| Flexographic printing | Repeated ink transfer from a plate | Artwork repeat, dot reproduction and color proofs |
| Bag gusset | Expandable side or bottom volume | Controls capacity and filled geometry |
| Finished-bag acceptance | Seams, dimensions, handles and packing | Performance must be evaluated on final product |
Artwork and flexo prepress checklist
Supply vector artwork where possible, identify brand colors with a reliable reference, define the printable area and determine whether plates or repeats impose layout constraints. Ask the supplier to confirm the actual proof standard used for approval.
Printed areas on folds and gussets can distort the finished visual. Packaging intended to contact food requires a separate review of inks, side orientation and suitable evidence.
- Provide size and bleed expectations, logo files and font details.
- Review number of ink colors and appearance on natural kraft versus white paper.
- Approve artwork with dimensions and fold lines visible.
- Record the approved print revision for repeat orders.
Documentation is tied to the exact product
A management system certificate, an FSC Chain-of-Custody certificate and a food-contact test report answer different questions. Ask which factory, process, material or specific shipment the evidence actually covers. A copy or sample report should not be applied to every product variant without verification.
For incoming inspection, combine paper/coat weight, dimensions, printing quality and the specific agreed application test. Shipping market regulations and the intended use determine which documents may be required.
Grease-resistant bags ↗ · PE-coated rolls ↗ · Quality documents ↗ · Custom development ↗
Buyer questions worth resolving
Does higher gsm always mean better grease resistance?
No. Grammage and barrier performance describe different properties. Test the intended structure against the relevant exposure.
Can one printed sample approve every order size?
Not necessarily. Artwork scale, folding and color reproduction can vary with geometry and material. Record the agreed approval reference for each format.
Prepare a useful sourcing brief
A clear inquiry gives a supplier the intended use, format, material and testing questions—not just a target price. Include your destination market, drawing or sample, print design, order forecast and acceptance criteria.
Build a local RFQ worksheet ↗ · Review quality documentation ↗