It can help compare general size, structure, opening, material feel and packing concept. It does not prove custom fit, artwork, final material, food-contact compliance or production quality.

It is a customised sample produced before mass production, often with digital printing or sample cutting. It can show layout and geometry while differing from production ink, colour, finish and tooling.

It is made using the intended production materials and manufacturing route, sometimes as part of a trial or first run. Define which operations and components are genuinely production-representative.

Use a proof or sample tied to the selected production print condition and final substrate and finish. A digital mock-up may not predict offset or flexographic colour exactly.

Use the final dieline, intended board and coating with representative product dimensions and tolerances. Stock samples are useful for concepts but not custom-fit approval.

No. Compliance depends on exact materials, intended use and supporting documents or tests. Prototype materials may differ from the production construction.

No. Line trials need a representative quantity and variation, agreed with the equipment owner. A hand-made sample may not reproduce blank flatness, crease, glue and feeding behaviour.

Only through an applicable test plan using representative packaging, food and conditions. Visual approval alone does not establish shelf life or barrier performance.

Record SKU, revision, dimensions, material, print and finishes, date, supplier, approval purpose and any accepted deviations. Store it under controlled conditions.

Review or repeat sampling after changes to dimensions, material, coating, ink, adhesive, supplier, tooling, process, food, temperature, packing line or distribution route.