Quick answer
A strong paperboard specification makes the intended pack repeatable. It identifies the application, grade construction, physical properties, format, direction, print and conversion requirements, compliance documents, packing and acceptance method. It does not rely on one term such as “350 gsm white board.”
The goal is not to burden the RFQ; it is to remove ambiguity before a mill makes material and a converter runs it. Specify what the pack must do, then state which measurable characteristics and approved samples define success.
The eight-part specification
- Application: carton, sleeve, cupstock, rigid box component or other end use.
- Material: named grade or construction plus approved equivalents.
- Performance: GSM, caliper, stiffness direction, brightness or surface requirements where relevant.
- Format: sheet or roll dimensions, core, outer diameter, grain and tolerance.
- Conversion: printing, varnish, foil, embossing, die-cutting, folding and gluing.
- Compliance: market and intended-use documentation requirements.
- Logistics: quantity, pallet configuration, moisture protection, labels and destination.
- Acceptance: approved sample, test method, change control and nonconformance process.
RFQ template
| Field | Example prompt |
|---|---|
| End use | What must the finished pack protect or present? |
| Board | What grade, caliper and stiffness range are acceptable? |
| Format | What sheet/roll size, grain and tolerance are required? |
| Conversion | Which press and finishing operations will be used? |
| Validation | Which sample, test and approval criteria apply? |
Planning a paper or board order?
Send us your application, format and target specification.
Send your requirementsApproval and change control
Attach artwork, dielines, signed samples and test records where possible. Define which changes require written approval: mill, grade construction, coating, grammage, caliper, format, fibre source or packing method. This protects both the buyer and supplier when an “equivalent” is proposed.
FAQ
Should I specify GSM or thickness?
Use both when carton geometry and machine performance depend on bulk. Add stiffness and grain direction when those affect the finished pack.
Can an RFQ include an acceptable equivalent?
Yes, but list the properties and approval procedure an equivalent must meet rather than accepting an unqualified substitute.