On this page
IN BRIEF
Mixed panel orders
A mixed order needs more than a total sheet count. Use item codes that connect each construction and finish to its dimensions, quantity, approval reference and packing instruction.
- Create a separate line whenever the supplied item changes.
- Keep appearance references tied to the correct substrate.
- Reconcile quantities from order through packing.
UNDERSTAND THE DETAIL
When should a panel order use a separate SKU?
Create a distinct item line whenever a supplied difference affects picking, processing, inspection or acceptance. Thickness, sheet size, construction, surface finish and processing scope are common reasons. A shared project or colour name can group items, but it should not erase their different requirements.
For example, 18 mm melamine MDF and 18 mm decorative plywood are separate items even if their finished colours are similar. A second MDF item with a different back finish also needs an identifiable line. Keep the approved appearance references attached to the correct substrate.
- Fixed item fields
- Construction, dimensions, face/back finish and included processing.
- Order fields
- Required quantity, project allocation and delivery grouping.
- Traceability fields
- Sample reference, drawing revision, bundle label and receiving status.
Can different thicknesses be combined in one volume total?
Yes, after calculating each line separately. Add the resulting cubic metres rather than using an average thickness that has not been calculated from the quantities. Preserve the line totals so the buyer can reconcile a revised packing list without rebuilding the entire order calculation.
Continue with the net-volume formula and worked quantities.
Define the item before assigning the code
Include substrate or core construction, face and back finish, thickness, sheet dimensions and any processing scope. Two panels with the same visible decor can still be different stock items if the substrate or reverse side changes. Record those differences explicitly.
Use simple stable codes, then place the full description beside them. Codes should help people find a specification rather than force them to decode a long string. Connect each item to the relevant sample and drawing revision, especially where similar finishes appear on several constructions.
Carry the same identity into packing and production
Ask the proposed packing list to use the same item codes and quantities as the accepted schedule. Identify whether items will be packed separately or combined in a bundle. If mixed packing is proposed, agree the labels and access sequence needed by the receiving team.
Keep a reconciliation column for ordered, packed and received quantities. Document substitutions or quantity changes as revised lines. A single updated total cannot explain whether a workshop received more of one thickness and fewer sheets of the item needed first.
WORKED BUYING EXAMPLE
Example: one white decor on three different items
Illustrative planning example; values and quantities are not product specifications or quotations.
A joinery order uses the same appearance reference on a plywood carcass panel, an MDF door panel and a thinner backing item.
Scroll horizontally to compare all columns.
| Item or observation | Record or compare | Next decision |
|---|---|---|
| Item C1 | Plywood substrate, selected face/back and carcass thickness. | Link the approved decor and carcass drawing. |
| Item D1 | MDF substrate with the door construction and finish. | Keep the door trial distinct from C1 approval. |
| Item B1 | Backing construction and its own thickness. | List its quantity and packing position separately. |
What this means for the order
The shared decor name belongs in all relevant lines, but it does not replace the individual constructions. Compare quotations and packing lists by C1, D1 and B1 so each component remains identifiable.
Keep these details with your inquiry
- Item code and complete construction description.
- Dimensions, quantity, finish and processing scope.
- Sample reference, drawing revision and approved alternatives.
- Packing labels and ordered/packed/received reconciliation.
Review the relevant product guide and prepare your inquiry files.
Questions buyers ask
Can similar items share one line to simplify the order?
Keep separate lines when the supplied specification changes. You can group the lines under one project while preserving the information required for picking and inspection.
How should an approved substitute be recorded?
Revise the affected line and record the changed fields, acceptance reference and quantity. Keep the original and revised schedules identifiable so packing follows the intended version.
