Some arrive flatter than others. Include those too?

If they're acceptable incoming cartons, yes. Otherwise agree what should be rejected before loading.

And who checks that at goods-in? Sorting every carton into robot-friendly and awkward could become another job nobody priced.

We don't sort by flatness now. They're accepted packaging stock.

Then they belong in the discussion. I would photograph that range before sending samples, because transport can change a carton and you want to know which condition the supplier assessed.

Empty. Our boxed products will be inside for transfer.

That saves a lot of effort for the demonstration. Less helpful for your decision.

Asked for filled samples across our board types. Supplier wants to know the worst one.

Worst for leakage, crushing or release? Could be three different cartons.

I would send several instead of guessing one winner. Your stiff printed carton and your softer unprinted carton may stress different parts of the pickup concept.

They're accepting a mixed sample set. I've included the seam positions and normal filled weight.

Ask how they handle a carton that doesn't establish the required grip. Someone will get that call in your workshop eventually.

First bench report is back. Two board types sealed; one leaked at the planned cup location. No transfer test yet.

Can a different cup position avoid the seam without losing support for the filled carton?

They're reviewing positions. I haven't agreed a revised tool. Thanks for the empty-carton question, Liam; that omission was easy to miss in the clip.

Keep the leaking sample for the revised trial. It would be frustrating to get a new tool report that quietly tested only the two cooperative board types.