What belongs in a packaging spec sheet
A quotable spec answers five questions with no ambiguity: what is it (format and style), how big (finished dimensions), what's it made of (material or structure), how is it decorated (colors, sides, finishes), and how many by when. For roll labels, add the roll spec — unwind position, core, and max outside diameter — because the applicator cares even when you don't. Miss one of these and the first response to your RFQ is a question, not a price.
How to use the sheet
- Fill in what you know. Blank fields stay off the sheet — an honest "TBD" beats a guess.
- Print it or save as PDF and send the same sheet to every vendor, so quotes come back comparable.
- Or skip the wait: upload artwork to PackOS and get the spec detected and priced in about a minute.
Not sure what a field means? Every term on this sheet is defined in the packaging glossary, and the packaging cost guide explains which of these choices move the price.
Questions
What is a packaging spec sheet?
A packaging spec sheet is a one-page document stating everything a converter needs to quote and produce your packaging: format, dimensions, material, print colors, finishes, quantity, and timing. It replaces a back-and-forth email thread with one unambiguous reference.
Is this spec sheet builder really free?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser, requires no sign-up, and nothing you type is sent anywhere. Your draft is saved locally on your own device so you can come back to it.
Can I send this spec sheet to any converter?
Yes. The sheet uses standard industry terminology, so any label printer, pouch converter, or box maker can quote from it. Sending the same sheet to several vendors is the easiest way to get comparable quotes.
What if I don't know some of the fields?
Leave them blank — only completed fields appear on the sheet, and an honest gap is better than a guess. A good converter will propose the missing choices, or you can upload artwork to PackOS and let it detect the spec for you.
Or let the file write the spec.
Upload artwork, a dieline, or an old invoice — PackOS detects the structure, materials, and print, and returns the spec priced.