| Print Quality | Resolution and dot control | At least 600 dpi for detailed industrial graphics; higher resolution may be required for small text, barcodes, and variable data. | Review technical specifications and inspect printed samples at normal viewing distance and under magnification. | 15% |
| Print Quality | Color consistency | Stable color output throughout a production run, supported by standardized color-management procedures and documented calibration records. | Request repeat samples from the same artwork and compare color variation using spectrophotometer measurements where applicable. | 10% |
| Print Quality | Registration accuracy | Consistent alignment between colors, layers, or finishing marks; the acceptable tolerance should be defined according to the product design. | Conduct a production trial using the buyer's artwork, substrate, and operating speed. | 10% |
| Production Capacity | Rated production speed | The quoted speed should be stated for a specific substrate, print mode, resolution, and coverage level rather than as a maximum theoretical speed. | Compare guaranteed output during a continuous trial with the required daily or monthly production volume. | 12% |
| Production Capacity | Continuous operating capability | The system should support the planned operating schedule with documented limits for duty cycle, maintenance intervals, and cooling requirements. | Review duty-cycle documentation, maintenance logs from reference installations, and long-duration acceptance-test results. | 8% |
| Reliability | Uptime and fault recovery | A mature industrial system should provide recorded availability data, clear alarm codes, and a documented recovery procedure for common faults. | Ask for anonymized service records, mean-time-to-repair information, and a live demonstration of fault diagnosis. | 12% |
| Substrate Compatibility | Supported materials and thicknesses | Compatibility should be confirmed for the actual materials, coatings, thicknesses, roll widths, sheet sizes, and surface treatments used in production. | Test the buyer's production materials instead of relying only on a general material list. | 10% |
| Customization | Mechanical and software integration | The supplier should be able to define interfaces for conveyors, feeders, dryers, inspection units, ERP/MES systems, and automated workflow software. | Review system architecture, interface specifications, communication protocols, and responsibility boundaries in the contract. | 8% |
| Customization | Variable-data and workflow capability | The system should support the required file formats, barcode or QR-code generation, job queuing, data security, and batch traceability. | Run a test job containing variable text, serialized codes, images, and the customer's production-management workflow. | 5% |
| Ink, Consumables, and Process Control | Ink or toner suitability | Consumables should be matched to the substrate, curing or drying process, adhesion requirements, chemical resistance, and end-use regulations. | Request technical data sheets, safety documentation, adhesion tests, rub tests, and resistance-test results relevant to the application. | 6% |
| Quality Management | Manufacturing and inspection controls | The manufacturer should operate documented quality procedures covering incoming parts, assembly, calibration, final inspection, and nonconformance control. | Review relevant quality certificates, inspection plans, calibration records, and factory acceptance-test templates. | 5% |
| Service and Support | Installation, training, and spare parts | The offer should define installation scope, operator training, remote-support arrangements, response times, critical spare-parts availability, and warranty coverage. | Check the service-level agreement, spare-parts list, escalation process, training agenda, and support coverage in the destination country. | 7% |
| Compliance and Safety | Machine safety and documentation | The system should include appropriate guarding, emergency stops, electrical documentation, risk-assessment records, and compliance documentation for the destination market. | Inspect the machine design, manuals, declarations or certificates required by the importing country, and site-safety requirements. | 5% |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Operating and lifecycle cost | Evaluation should include equipment price, installation, utilities, consumables, maintenance, software, spare parts, labor, waste, and expected service life. | Request a five-year cost model based on the buyer's actual production volume, operating schedule, and material costs. | 7% |