| Finished Product Application | Toilet tissue, facial tissue, kitchen towel, or napkin converting | One clearly defined end use per specification | Determines strength, softness, absorbency, bulk, and converting performance. | Review the technical data sheet and approve a production trial sample. |
| Basis Weight | Select according to the number of plies and finished product positioning | Typical parent tissue grades: 13–35 g/m² per ply | Affects product weight, softness, bulk, cost, and roll yield. | Request laboratory test results and verify basis weight by random sampling. |
| Parent Roll Width | Match the usable width of the rewinder, slitter, or napkin machine | Approximately 1,800–3,800 mm, depending on equipment | Incorrect width creates trim waste, machine downtime, or incompatibility. | Confirm width tolerance, edge quality, and machine compatibility in writing. |
| Roll Diameter | Choose a diameter compatible with the unwinding stand and warehouse handling system | Commonly 1,000–2,800 mm | Influences machine loading, roll change frequency, storage space, and freight efficiency. | Request maximum diameter, finished roll weight, and loading drawings if required. |
| Ply Configuration | Specify single-ply, two-ply, or three-ply construction | Single-ply to three-ply for most tissue products | Controls softness, thickness, absorbency, strength, and finished product appearance. | Check ply bonding, sheet separation, caliper, and converting trial results. |
| Fiber Composition | Define virgin fiber, recycled fiber, or a controlled blend | Virgin pulp, recycled fiber, or blended furnish | Fiber type affects softness, strength, absorbency, color, and sustainability claims. | Request furnish information, pulp declarations, and applicable certification records. |
| Brightness and Appearance | Set a minimum brightness and acceptable shade variation | Approximately 75–90% ISO brightness, depending on grade | Maintains consistent visual quality across production batches. | Compare retained samples and review brightness, shade, dirt count, and visual inspection records. |
| Tensile Strength | Specify machine-direction and cross-direction strength targets | Varies considerably by grade, basis weight, and ply structure | Prevents web breaks and supports high-speed converting. | Request test values based on recognized tissue testing methods and verify batch consistency. |
| Stretch and Elongation | Define acceptable machine-direction elongation for the converting line | Often approximately 10–25%, depending on grade and process | Influences embossing, winding stability, and resistance to tearing. | Review laboratory data and conduct an uninterrupted machine trial. |
| Moisture Content | Set a moisture target suitable for storage and converting conditions | Commonly about 4–8% at shipment, subject to grade and climate | Excess moisture can reduce strength and cause winding or storage problems. | Require moisture results on the certificate of analysis and inspect rolls on arrival. |
| Caliper and Bulk | Define thickness or bulk requirements for softness and absorbency | Approximately 0.6–2.5 mm for multi-ply tissue structures | Affects hand feel, embossing depth, roll diameter, and package volume. | Request caliper testing conditions and compare samples under the same method. |
| Absorbency | Set absorption capacity and absorption time targets for towels or wipes | Product-specific; no single value applies to every tissue grade | Directly affects user performance and the suitability of the parent roll. | Use a defined internal test method and approve a converting sample before ordering. |
| Core Specification | Confirm core inner diameter, wall thickness, material, and core strength | Common inner diameters include 76 mm and 152 mm | Incorrect core dimensions can prevent loading or cause telescoping during unwinding. | Measure core samples and confirm compatibility with the machine shaft. |
| Roll Hardness and Winding | Require firm, even winding without loose edges, wrinkles, or telescoping | Uniform hardness across the full roll width | Improves unwinding stability, reduces web breaks, and protects converting efficiency. | Inspect roll faces, edges, and winding profile during incoming quality control. |
| Packaging and Protection | Specify moisture-resistant wrapping, edge protection, labels, and pallet requirements | Protective paper or film wrapping with clearly marked roll labels | Prevents contamination, moisture damage, impact damage, and identification errors. | Approve packaging drawings and inspect shipment condition upon delivery. |
| Order Quantity and Lead Time | Define trial quantity, regular monthly volume, and delivery schedule | Trial orders may be several tonnes; regular orders commonly use full-load quantities | Ensures supply continuity and makes freight and inventory planning predictable. | Obtain written minimum order quantity, production lead time, and delivery commitment. |
| Quality Documentation | Require a technical data sheet, certificate of analysis, and lot traceability | Documents should identify grade, lot number, test values, and shipment date | Provides evidence of conformity and supports complaint investigation. | Check documents against purchase specifications for every shipment or agreed sampling frequency. |
| Compliance and Sustainability | Define applicable food-contact, chemical, environmental, and forestry requirements | Requirements vary by destination market and end use | Reduces regulatory, customer, and sustainability-claim risks. | Request current declarations, audit reports, and relevant third-party certificates. |
| Supplier Evaluation Score | Use a weighted score before approving a supplier | Suggested weighting: quality 35%, consistency 20%, service 15%, delivery 15%, total cost 15% | Prevents price from becoming the only purchasing criterion. | Score samples, trial runs, documents, delivery performance, and corrective-action response. |