What separates a good co-packer
Price is the easiest thing to compare and the worst thing to choose on. A contract packager that can't hold your quality, trace a lot back for a recall, or communicate a delay before it becomes a stockout will cost far more than a slightly higher per-unit rate. This scorecard weights the criteria that actually predict a working partnership, so a low price can't paper over a capability or compliance gap.
Using your score
- Compare candidates on the same criteria. Run each one through the scorecard and compare the totals and the gap lists side by side.
- Close the gaps before you commit. The lowest-scoring, highest-weight criteria are your biggest risks — the tool tells you what to ask to close each one.
- Regulated categories raise the bar. For food, supplements, or anything with a recall pathway, quality systems and traceability aren't nice-to-haves.
The scorecard structures the decision; the how to evaluate a co-packer guide explains each criterion, and if you're weighing premade vs rollstock, that choice often decides whether you need a co-packer at all.
Questions
What should I look for in a co-packer?
Look for genuine capability fit for your format, capacity and minimums that match your volume, real quality systems and relevant certifications, traceability that supports a recall, transparent communication, workable location and logistics, and compliance for your category. This scorecard weights those and shows where a candidate falls short.
How do I compare two co-packers?
Score each one on the same weighted criteria and compare both the totals and the gap lists. A close total with very different gaps means the right choice depends on which risks you can manage, so read the gap list, not just the number.
Why not just choose the cheapest co-packer?
Because the cost of a quality failure, a missed recall trace, or a silent delay dwarfs a small difference in per-unit price. The scorecard deliberately weights capability, quality, and traceability so price cannot hide a gap that will hurt you later.
Does a good score mean I should sign?
No. The score is a structured comparison, not a verdict. Back it with a site visit, checkable references, and a documented quality and traceability paper trail before you commit, especially for regulated products.
Should the weights be the same for every product?
No. Weight the criteria to your reality: a regulated food or supplement product should lean harder on quality systems, certifications, and traceability, while a simple retail item may weight capability fit and logistics more. Use the default weights as a starting point and adjust your judgment accordingly.
Sourcing packaging, not just a packer?
PackOS quotes your labels and flexible packaging straight from a file — so you arrive at your co-packer with the spec and the price already settled.