Print-Ready Artwork Checklist for Packaging and Labels

Build artwork on the approved dieline

Packaging artwork should be prepared on the current approved structural drawing. Cut, crease, perforation, glue, safe-area and bleed lines must remain on clearly named non-printing technical layers.

Do not scale a dieline after artwork approval. A small dimensional change can affect panels, windows, barcode placement, foil registration and packing-line performance.

Separate every production operation

Hot foil, cold foil, embossing, debossing, spot UV, white ink and cutting forms should use separate, clearly named spot-colour layers. Each layer must show only the elements required for that operation.

Overprint, trapping and knockout settings should be reviewed during preflight rather than assumed from the on-screen PDF appearance.

Check images, fonts and colour

Supply high-resolution images at final size, include or outline fonts and define whether colours are CMYK or named Pantone references. Rich black, small reverse text and fine lines require production-specific settings.

A calibrated proof helps align expectations, but the final result also depends on paper colour, surface, varnish and finishing.

Verify content before technical approval

The customer remains responsible for final legal and commercial content approval. A structured checklist should include:

• Product name, language versions, ingredients or composition and mandatory symbols
• Barcode type, quiet zones, size and contrast
• QR-code destination and scan test
• Batch, date, price or other variable-data fields
• Correct logo version, trademark usage and certification claims