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If you’re a customer researching custom plastic packaging manufacturers, choosing the right supplier — or distributor — can be a daunting task.
Here are five essential questions to ask when reviewing suppliers to ensure they’re a high-quality, reputable vendor.
5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Poly Packaging Supplier
When choosing a plastic packaging supplier, you may wonder where to start. These questions can give you a list to ask to make sure the poly supplier you’re choosing to do business with has the same end goals as you.
1. What certifications do you have?
Your plastic manufacturer should have certain certifications depending on the industries they serve. For example, Versa Pak is SQF-certified, FDA-approved, and Kosher certified.
Custom plastic packaging manufacturers should remain up-to-date on any certifications they may have on a regular basis.
Learn more about our certifications.
2. What quality measures are you taking in your custom plastic products manufacturing process?
In addition to holding updated certifications, manufacturers have proof of their internal quality measures.
For example, at Versa Pak, all of the bags and films we manufacture use resins that comply with FDA regulations in 21 CFR 177.1520, (c) (3.1a), subject to conditions of use and food type limitations. We also have non-allergen, RoHS and Interstate Milk Shippers statements.
And if you have any questions like this one about the manufacturing process, your supplier should be happy to help.
Related: Inside the Versa Pak Manufacturing Process [Video]
3. What research and development options do you have in place to ensure high-quality products?
Your plastics manufacturer should have quality measures and a research and development lab to test their products for your end-use.
Some common machines you may see are a coefficient of friction (COF) testing machine, which tests slip level, and impact strength testing machines, such as a DART machine or a Spencer Impact machine.
Other instruments may include a Haze Guard to test poly film clarity, a universal tester to measure elongation and tensile strength, or a precision micrometer to measure the polyethylene film’s gauge level.
You’ll find all these tools at Versa Pak’s on-site research and development lab. To take a closer look, watch this video featuring Versa Pak Quality Manager Keith Koverman demonstrating a few of our lab’s capabilities.
One of our core values here at Versa Pak is innovation. We’re always looking for ways to improve our products at the highest level. If you have any questions about our lab’s abilities or quality measures, contact us at 419-586-5466 or fill out our Request a Quote form.
4. Can I get a sample made for custom packaging?
Maybe you have a unique application where standard just won’t cut it, or you want to be sure your custom product is made just right. A high-quality plastics manufacturer that specializes in custom products will provide handmade samples.
At Versa Pak, we can custom-create a piece and show you the exact look and feel before you place an order. We’ll work with you to ensure your product meets every requirement. All you need to do is contact us for a custom product sample.
5. Are you a sustainable custom polyethylene packaging supplier?
Sustainability is a much-discussed topic in the plastics manufacturing industry. At Versa Pak, we’ve incorporated sustainability into our custom manufacturing process in a variety of ways, including by incorporating post-consumer recycled materials into products, creating reusable products and converting scrap from production back into resin.
In addition, industrial post-consumer resins (PCR) and biodegradable options are available.
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