Packaging design is a high-stakes process. A single error, whether it’s the text, graphics, or layout can be extremely costly. It may result in reprints, delays, or even legal issues.
Given the multiple departments involved in packaging, including marketing, design, legal, production, and others, the process is as complex as it is crucial. That’s why you need a specialized packaging design proofing tool—one that’s built for accuracy, seamless cross-functional collaboration, and faster delivery.
The High Cost of Errors in Packaging Design
There are a number of ways that errors could lead to huge costs for your organization. Managing packaging design workflows without intuitive and collaborative tools is a significant risk for everyone involved.
Reprints & Legal Issues
When Mattel accidentally sent their Wicked doll to stores featuring a URL to an “adult” website printed on the back, customers were understandably furious!
If a design makes it to print and someone then discovers a problem, you’re faced with the cost of reprinting and repackaging if it’s already on the line. And if a flawed design makes it onto shelves, the consequences could be even more serious, requiring a recall…or worse.
And these mistakes can harm more than delicate sensibilities. If a product has incorrect allergy info, for instance, customers are put at risk. There can be fines, the possibility of litigation, and long term brand damage.
Poor Creative & Brand Reputation
Is the main benefit of the Ab Wheel boosting your overall “strenght”? Or is it “imrpoving” your stability?
A product launch that was months or even years in the making could be undermined by something as minor as a typo or awkwardly placed image.
Unfortunately, it’s very easy for things to fly under the radar when you’re relying on a poor creative workflow. When you’re scrambling to keep up with sprawling email chains or multiple annotated PDFs, issues are almost inevitable. Overlooked requests, outdated versions, and untracked changes all have the potential to let costly problems creep in unnoticed.
The Complex Nature of Packaging Proofing
There are several aspects of package design that make the proofing process more complex than it is with proofing other types of design assets. And all of these factors make specialized tools like packaging proofing software essential.
Multiple Stakeholders & Approval Cycles
First, there’s the number of stakeholders and departments who need to be involved: creative, regulatory, legal, production, brand, management etc. And they all will have very different technological aptitudes. So, it’s not as simple as ensuring the design moves smoothly through the process once. Every time a team requests a change, which creative then actions, the design needs to circle back to be re-approved.
Precision Details
Packaging designs also require extreme attention to detail. Microtext, dielines, color codes, bar codes, product size variations, critical product information, and localized translations all need to be closely scrutinized and, if needed, minutely adjusted. Precise markup options are a must so stakeholders can communicate this highly targeted feedback.
Multiple Versions
Lastly, you need a digital paper trail of every change made, so everything is documented and trackable for compliance purposes. Some form of version control, tracking, and comparison functionality should be a non-negotiable.
How Packaging Design Proofing Tools Streamline the Process
Online proofing tools mean markup, discussion, and approval can happen in one place.
The features provided by a purpose-built design proofing software make the process of proofing packaging more precise, collaborative, and efficient.
- Centralized Platform – Communication isn’t spread across multiple channels.
- Precise Markup Tools – Print and dieline-specific annotation tools enable clear feedback.
- Query Tools – Inspect visual elements such as color, font/typography, measurements, and barcodes.
- Version Comparison – Side-by-side comparisons to evaluate changes and clear up confusion.
- Automated Approval Workflows – Track exactly who approved and when. And ensure projects automatically move to the correct next stage once approved.
- File Support – For high-res files, large formats, and multiple formats (such as PDF, images, and 3D objects, if needed).
- Zoom – Viewing and navigation features with resolution accuracy to proof small text or technical details.
- Version Locking and Control – Outdated files don’t reenter circulation and cause confusion.
- Guest Access – For clients or third-party approvers and reviewers, sharing internally and externally is straightforward.
Better Proofing = Fewer Mistakes and Faster Delivery
With online proofing, you can smooth out approval workflows.
Online proofing empowers your packaging teams to identify errors or issues early before the design reaches the production stage, meaning you can avoid costly reprints or worse.
It enables you to speed up compliance and legal review across multiple cycles. Plus, you can prevent delays and misunderstandings caused by back-and-forth feedback over email.
The more complex and critical your packaging is, the greater the need for a packaging design proofing tool. The right tool will help you spot issues before a design goes to print.
Save time, prevent errors, and protect your brand.
