How to enter several variants of the same packaging

The question comes up with every larger catalogue, and the answer depends on what changes between variants.

Separate entries when the material changes

If variants differ in composition — different film, different varnish, different print — they are separate packaging items. A separate calculation is required for each, so one entry would produce a result that describes neither of them.

One entry when only the size changes

Three sizes of the same box, made from the same board and with the same print, can be one entry with dimensional variants. The supplier documents are shared, so duplicating them across three entries only increases the work with every update.

Borderline case

The same box, but one variant is varnished and the other is not. These are separate entries — varnish is a material and is included in the total.

Duplicating

The quickest way to create a new variant is via “Duplicate” on the packaging card or in the list. The copy transfers components, materials and assigned evidence; you only change what differs.