Plastic Film & Flexible Packaging Procurement Checklist
intermediate25-30 minutes0/21 completed
Successful film procurement requires balancing performance, cost, and sustainability. This checklist guides you through resin selection, supplier evaluation, and quality assurance for stretch, shrink, agricultural, and barrier film applications.
Progress0%
Resin Selection & Specification
Define film application and performance requirements
critical
Evaluate metallocene vs conventional LLDPE options
critical
Select appropriate melt index and density ranges
high
Assess barrier requirements for packaging applications
high
Review recyclability and sustainability requirements
high
Determine additive package requirements
medium
Supplier Evaluation & Qualification
Evaluate supplier technical capabilities and support
critical
Verify consistent quality and lot-to-lot variation
critical
Assess supply chain reliability and capacity
high
Analyze total cost of ownership beyond resin price
high
Review regulatory compliance and certifications
medium
Testing & Quality Assurance
Establish incoming resin inspection protocols
critical
Conduct pilot-scale film trials before full production
critical
Validate film performance properties
high
Develop statistical process control procedures
high
Create quality documentation and traceability systems
medium
Contract Terms & Risk Management
Negotiate appropriate pricing mechanisms and terms
high
Define quality specifications and remedies
high
Address supply security and allocation rights
high
Establish technical service and support commitments
medium
Plan inventory management and logistics coordination
medium
Pro Tips
Partner with experienced resin suppliers like Colorado Sun Inc who understand film-specific requirements and can provide technical guidance throughout the selection process.
Always trial new resin grades on your actual equipment before committing to large volumes - laboratory data doesn't always predict commercial processing behavior.
Consider the total system cost when evaluating metallocene vs conventional grades - the premium price is often justified by gauge reduction and improved performance.
Build relationships with multiple qualified suppliers to ensure supply security, but limit the number to maintain volume leverage and technical support quality.
Document all processing conditions and film properties during successful trials to create reference standards for future production and troubleshooting.