Welcome to the strategy intensive and error-prone packaging world! Even an expert in the packaging industry experiences new problems every day. In this series of articles, we will provide some tips on producing effective packaging from three very different perspectives, design, materials, and artwork. Now, a look at artwork production:
Packaging artwork files, with their multiple layers, embedded files, and mazes of vector art paths, are amongst the most complex of digital files for print. Make sure that you (or your supplier) use a detailed checklist to ensure your packaging artwork file has been correctly set up before you go to print. At a minimum, a good packaging art checklist should confirm the following:

  1. Package overall dimensions, glue flaps, fold and cut lines are correct according to a physical prototype professionally constructed of the actual materials to be used in production
  2. Artwork is correctly oriented so that all panels will achieve right reading upon package assembly
  3. Images are in their final, high resolution versions, have been clipped neatly (where applicable) and are in the CMYK color space
  4. Die cut line is set to overprint, as a ‘non-printing’ spot color
  5. Bar code is the correct type, number, Bar Width Reduction, magnification and is 100% black only
  6. Country of origin, Environmental Statement, safety warnings, and other legal requirements have been fulfilled and are of the required size and location
  7. Unnecessary colors and objects have been deleted, fonts have been converted to outlines, and crop marks/registration marks have been correctly positioned