How to vet a supplier if you're going direct

If you decide to source directly rather than through a platform or partner, here is the minimum vetting checklist before placing any order.

• ✓Manufacturer vs. reseller test. Ask directly: do you own your production equipment, or source from another manufacturer? Resellers aren't necessarily bad, but you need to know who's actually producing your packaging and what their quality controls look like.
• ✓In-house testing lab. A serious manufacturer can test bursting strength, compression strength, and print quality in-house. Outsourcing all testing to a third party is a red flag for consistency at volume.
• ✓Sampling process. Any legitimate supplier provides physical samples before a bulk order. If a supplier pushes back on sampling or charges unreasonably for it, walk away.
• ✓Batch consistency proof. Ask for two or three samples from different production runs, not just their best unit. Batch-to-batch consistency is the most common failure point in Indian packaging production.
• ✓International client references. If a supplier claims to work with international brands, ask for two references you can contact. One who has navigated the compliance and communication needs of an international client is a fundamentally different partner.
• ✓Capacity proof. Ask about their current production schedule and lead times on a hypothetical order at your volume. The answer tells you whether they can fulfill your order without compromising on others.