Buying an automatic packaging machine is not simply about choosing a machine model. Before a manufacturer can recommend the right packaging solution, several details about the product, package, production target, and working environment need to be considered.Providing complete information at the beginning can help packaging machine manufacturers recommend a more suitable configuration, prepare a more accurate quotation, and reduce unnecessary communication during the project.So, what information should you prepare before contacting a packaging machine manufacturer?
1. Product Information
The first and most important information is the product itself.Different products have very different feeding and filling characteristics. A free-flowing product such as rice or sugar can usually be handled differently from coffee powder, sauce, or sticky paste.When contacting a packaging machine manufacturer, provide:
- Nom du produit
- Photos des produits
- Product shape and size
- Product density
- Moisture or oil content, if relevant
- Flowability
- Whether the product is fragile
- Whether the product contains liquid or solid pieces
For example, coffee beans, powder, liquid sauce, and fruit pieces may require completely different filling systems.For difficult-to-handle products, sending an actual product sample can be especially useful for machine testing.
2. Target Filling Weight
The required filling weight is another key factor.Tell the manufacturer the expected weight per package, such as:
- 10 g
- 50 g
- 100 g
- 250 g
- 500 g
- 1 kg
If several package weights are required, provide the complete weight range.The filling weight can affect the selection of the weighing or dosing system, hopper size, filling accuracy, and overall machine configuration.For example, granular products may use a multihead weigher or linear weigher, while fine powders are often handled using an auger filling system.
3. Required Production Capacity
Do not simply tell the manufacturer that you need a “high-speed machine.”It is much more useful to provide a specific production target.For example:
60 bags/minuteou
3,000 bags per 8-hour shiftou
20 tons per dayThe manufacturer can then evaluate the required filling system, number of weighing heads, number of lanes, feeding method, and other machine configurations.Actual packaging speed can also be affected by product characteristics, filling weight, bag dimensions, film material, and filling method.
4. Packaging Bag Type
The desired package style should be clearly explained before selecting the machine.Common flexible packaging formats include:
- Pillow bags
- Gusset bags
- Three-side seal bags
- Sachets à fond plat
- Sachets Doypack
- Pochettes à fermeture éclair
- Vacuum bags
- Sachets
- Stick packs
- Spout pouches
For example, a VFFS machine can form bags directly from roll film, while a premade pouch packing machine uses already manufactured pouches.The bag type therefore has a direct influence on the machine structure and packaging process.
5. Bag Dimensions
Providing the expected bag dimensions is highly recommended.You can provide:
- Largeur du sac
- Longueur du sac
- Bag thickness
- Bottom gusset size, if applicable
- Pouch dimensions
If you already have a packaging sample, sending a physical sample or clear photo with dimensions marked on it can make the communication much easier.The machine's forming, filling, sealing, and pouch-handling components may all need to match the package dimensions.
6. Packaging Film or Pouch Material
The packaging material should also be considered.For roll-film applications, provide information such as:
- Film material
- Film thickness
- Film width
- Heat-sealing characteristics
- Printed or unprinted film
For premade pouches, provide:
- Pouch material
- Pouch thickness
- Pouch dimensions
- Zipper structure
- Spout structure, if applicable
If you are unsure about the exact material, simply send the packaging sample to the machine manufacturer for evaluation.
7. Desired Sealing Method
Different products may require different sealing configurations.For example, you may need:
- Thermosoudage
- Three-side sealing
- Center sealing
- Back sealing
- Gusset sealing
- Zipper sealing
- Spout filling and capping
The sealing area is particularly important when packaging fine powders, oily products, sauces, or products that may remain around the bag opening.The manufacturer can recommend suitable sealing and cleaning configurations according to the product characteristics.
8. Product Sample and Packaging Sample
If possible, provide both the
product sample and the
packaging sample.This is one of the most useful things you can provide before purchasing a packaging machine.The product sample helps the manufacturer evaluate:
- Feeding performance
- Filling method
- Product flow
- Product handling
- Potential sticking or clogging
The packaging sample helps evaluate:
- Bag opening
- Film feeding
- Étanchéité
- Dimensions du sac
- Pouch handling
- Finished package appearance
For unusual products such as viscous sauces, fruit pieces, sticky pastes, fragile snacks, or fine powders, sample testing can be particularly valuable.
9. Special Packaging Functions
Let the manufacturer know if your package requires additional functions.Depending on the product and package, you may need:
- Purge à l'azote
- Emballage sous vide
- Degassing valve application
- Codage de la date
- Batch number printing
- Détection de métaux
- Contrôle du poids
- Collecte des poussières
- Bag-mouth cleaning
- Zipper opening
- Spout filling and capping
For roasted coffee beans, for example, a one-way degassing valve may be required to release gas from the package while helping protect the packaged coffee.
10. Production Environment
The installation environment can also affect machine configuration.Before purchasing equipment, consider:
- Available floor space
- Factory height
- Alimentation électrique
- Compressed air supply
- Production room conditions
- Food-grade or hygienic requirements
- Upstream and downstream equipment
If the packaging machine will be connected to other equipment, provide information about the existing production line as well.This allows the manufacturer to consider the complete workflow rather than only the individual packaging machine.
11. Automation Requirements
Different manufacturers have different automation requirements.You may need a standalone packaging machine, or you may want a complete automatic packaging line.For example:
Product Feeding → Weighing/Filling → Bag Forming → Sealing → Date Coding → Metal Detection → Check Weighing → Finished Product ConveyingIf you already have upstream or downstream equipment, tell the packaging machine manufacturer what equipment is currently installed.This helps determine whether the new machine needs to communicate or work together with existing equipment.
12. Why Complete Information Matters
Providing more information does not mean that you need to know everything about packaging machinery.You do not need to decide the exact filler, sealing system, machine model, or control system yourself.Instead, provide the information you know:
Product + Filling Weight + Production Capacity + Bag Type + Bag Size + Packaging Material + Special RequirementsThe packaging machine manufacturer can then evaluate the application and recommend the corresponding technical solution.A complete inquiry can also make the quotation more accurate and reduce the possibility of selecting a machine that does not match the actual production requirements.
A Simple Checklist Before Requesting a Packaging Machine Quote
Before contacting a packaging machine manufacturer, you can prepare the following information:
| Information | Example |
|---|
| Produit | Grains de café |
| Poids net | 250 g |
| Production Capacity | 40 sacs/min |
| Type de sac | Pillow bag |
| Bag Size | 120 × 180 mm |
| Matériel cinématographique | Laminated film |
| Épaisseur du film | 100 μm |
| Étanchéité | Thermosoudage |
| Special Function | One-way degassing valve |
| Programmation | Batch number and date |
| Alimentation électrique | 380 V / 50 Hz |
| Product Sample | Available |
| Packaging Sample | Available |
Even if some information is not available yet, you can still contact a packaging machine manufacturer. Photos, videos, drawings, and samples can help the manufacturer understand the application.
Final Thoughts
A successful packaging machine project starts before the machine is purchased.The more clearly the product and packaging requirements are defined, the easier it is for the manufacturer to evaluate the application and develop a suitable packaging solution.If you are looking for a packaging machine, prepare your
product details, target filling weight, production capacity, bag type, bag dimensions, packaging material, and samples whenever possible.At FRONTECH, packaging solutions cover VFFS, premade pouch, sachet, liquid and paste packaging, spout pouch filling, and customized packaging systems for different products and package formats.You can send your product photos, packaging samples, target weight, and production requirements to our team. We can evaluate your application and recommend a suitable packaging solution.
Reference
How to choose packaging machine
