# Packaging Nonconformance Report Template

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/packaging-nonconformance-report-template
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

An NCR form for printed and converted packaging with defect classification, containment, disposition and approval lines.

## Category

quality

## Industry

Packaging and Printing

## Audience

- Quality engineer
- Supplier quality
- Production supervisor

## Tool

**Kind:** template

**Output:** document

**Fields:**

#### Company

**Key:** company

**Type:** text

**Default:** Harbor Packaging Co.

#### NCR number

**Key:** ncr_no

**Type:** text

**Default:** NCR-2026-0412

#### Date raised

**Key:** date

**Type:** date

**Default:** 2026-10-20

#### Item / part

**Key:** item

**Type:** text

**Default:** Printed carton 12 ct, SKU 5012345

#### Lot / job number

**Key:** lot

**Type:** text

**Default:** J-24-1187 / Lot 4410

#### Quantity affected

**Key:** qty

**Type:** text

**Default:** 14,500 cartons (3 pallets)

#### Defect class

**Key:** defect_class

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- Critical
- Major
- Minor

**Default:** Major

#### Defect type

**Key:** defect_type

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- Colour variation
- Registration
- Print smear or scumming
- Barcode unreadable
- Die cut or crease defect
- Glue failure
- Wrong artwork version
- Damage in handling

**Default:** Colour variation

#### Where found

**Key:** found_at

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- Incoming inspection
- In process
- Final inspection
- Customer
- Line of customer

**Default:** Final inspection

#### Description of nonconformance

**Key:** description

**Type:** textarea

**Default:** Brand red measured Delta E 5.2 against signed proof, above the limit of 3. Defect present from sample taken at 14:20 onward.

#### Containment action

**Key:** containment

**Type:** textarea

**Default:** Three pallets tagged and moved to quarantine. Retained samples pulled from preceding 2 pallets for sorting.

#### Disposition

**Key:** disposition

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- Use as is (customer concession)
- Rework / sort
- Scrap
- Return to supplier

**Default:** Scrap

**Blocks:**

#### Packaging Nonconformance Report

**Body:** Company: {{company}}
NCR number: {{ncr_no}}
Date raised: {{date}}
Item: {{item}}
Lot / job: {{lot}}
Quantity affected: {{qty}}

#### Classification

**Body:** Defect class: {{defect_class}}
Defect type: {{defect_type}}
Where found: {{found_at}}

#### Description

**Body:** {{description}}

#### Containment

**Body:** {{containment}}

#### Disposition

**Body:** {{disposition}}

#### Root cause and corrective action

**Table:**

**Columns:**

- Item
- Detail
- Owner
- Due date

**Rows:**

**0:** Root cause

**0:** Corrective action

**0:** Preventive action

**0:** Effectiveness check

#### Approvals

**Signatures:**

- Raised by
- Quality manager
- Production manager
- Customer / supplier contact

**Notes:** Starting point only. Align classes and disposition rules with your quality system and customer agreements. Concessions to use nonconforming product normally need written customer approval.

## Content

**Intro:** When a pallet of printed packaging is wrong, the first hour decides how far the problem spreads. This NCR template captures the defect, the quantity, the containment and the disposition in one signed record.

**Sections:**

#### How to use the template

**Body:** Fill in the job and lot so the defect can be traced, then state the quantity affected as best known. Classify the defect, describe what was measured versus what was required, and record the containment you took immediately. Export to PDF or Word, route for approval, and complete root cause and corrective action in the table once the investigation finishes.

#### Good descriptions and containment

**Body:** A useful description includes the requirement, the measured value and when the defect started. That lets quality bracket the affected lots by checking retained samples. Containment should cover finished stock, work in progress and anything already shipped. Record where the quarantined pallets sit.

**Bullets:**

- State the requirement and the measurement, not just 'looks wrong'
- Check retained samples before and after the defect
- Block affected lots in the ERP so they cannot ship
- Notify the customer promptly when product has shipped

#### Common mistakes

**Body:** Frequent errors include closing the NCR at disposition without a root cause, scrapping product without recording quantity, and failing to check lots produced before the detected failure. Another is using the NCR as a blame record. Keep the focus on the process failure and the check that should have caught it.

**Cta:** If NCRs are paper forms, we can help link them to lot records and quality holds in your ERP so affected stock is blocked automatically.

**Faq:**

#### What is the difference between critical, major and minor defects?

**Answer:** Critical defects affect safety or legal compliance, such as a wrong allergen statement. Major defects affect function or acceptance, such as unreadable barcodes or colour out of limit. Minor defects are cosmetic. Your customer specification defines the classes.

#### Do I need customer approval to use nonconforming packaging?

**Answer:** Usually yes for product supplied to a customer, particularly when specifications or artwork are involved. Obtain a written concession and record it on the NCR. Do not rely on verbal agreement.

#### What should be done with a defect found after shipment?

**Answer:** Contain stock at both sites, notify the customer immediately, trace the lot to find what else shipped and agree return, sort or replacement. Record all of it on the NCR and open a corrective action.

#### How is an NCR different from a CAPA?

**Answer:** An NCR documents a specific nonconforming product and its disposition. A CAPA addresses the cause to prevent recurrence and may be opened from one or many NCRs. Many plants reference the CAPA number on the NCR.

## Search terms

packaging nonconformance report, NCR template packaging, printing defect report form, packaging complaint form, label defect report template, corrugated defect report, packaging quality hold form, supplier packaging NCR

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