Packaging Artwork can be described as the process of mixing up elements of design, final technical data, regulatory and marketing information into a final graphic file. This data would then be sent to the converters and printers.
It involves the integration of various business processes to evaluate the accuracy of the product content and brand on the packaging.
There are several stages contained in The Graphic Packaging Lifecycle, and each one is essential in the transformation of creative brand concepts into active production materials. These steps are situated directly in the middle of the graphic process. The processes cross over from the “creative” process to the “production” process.
After the crossover, there is the subsequent inclusion of all regulatory, technical and marketing data such as the barcodes. The artwork is a fundamental element in all brand functions, and it includes; Artwork Production, Design Adaptation, Workflow Management, Prototypes or Mock-Ups, Retouching, E-Commerce/Copy Management, Print Tools, and POS/POP through to the overall management of the brand.
One of the objectives of the Collaborative Artwork Solution is to provide the definition of a standard process for the managing and packaging of artwork contents and also a regular flow of the messages. The message flow simply has to do with the communication of artwork content in a typical format, between the Brands and the Artwork Studios.
Since there’s a pressing need for the Manufacturers and Artwork Vendors to exchange valuable information relating to the packaging of the product, there is a back and forth passage of the information between both parties, as it is refined. The print vendors begin production as soon as both sides have approved the final version.
With the aid of standards, an opportunity may arise to reduce the cost and time frame of the production process, while also increasing the accuracy.
Packaging Artwork is a key factor in consumer communication. It is essential because seventy percent of purchase decisions are now carried out at the store’s shelf.
The packaging might contain necessary information about the brand, and also include logos, graphics, and textual information.
Why Standards Are Important
· They are required because information must be regularly passed between points, and they might have to travel in different formats depending on the recipient of the content.
· There is a continuous rework of the format since there’s a potential for inaccuracies in how the information is rendered.
· Every manufacturer makes use of different means of approach to communicate with their vendors, and it is usually based on brand and region.
· The conventional processes create very complicated settings, which increase the time to market and costs while reducing the quality simultaneously.
The collaborative packaging artwork improves the quality, efficiency and design time of a product.
Components of the Collaborative Packaging Artwork Solution Standards
The Business Message Standard (BMS) document can be used to define a standard XML-based format meant for the Packaging Artwork content, and a customary message flow where the content is communicated.
The SSD Artwork Content Validation Rules defines the rules related to the two messages used by BMS. The established rules are meant to be enforced on top the XML schema structures.
As always, don’t hesitate to contact me for any of your packaging needs!