Get a better grip as an A-brand on your packing and brand

As a manufacturer you are often responsible for brand development as well as production. Your A-brand is on the shelves in various retail channels and is sold online. By definition this means you have to consult internally and externally with several stakeholders. Every detail has to be right, because any deviation in the product image or an error in the declaration or dimensions immediately leads to delays and higher costs.

Because you have a big responsibility for the chain with various links, you need a good artwork management system. The basis starts with offering an overview of and insight into all packing expressions. By definition, you want to manage all information and data concerning packing from a single source, such as artworks, packshots, cutting dies, declarations, etc. Facilitating a streamlined and robust process also allows you, as the person responsible for the brand, to focus on the content instead of on administrative, less essential matters.

For an A-brand a uniform brand experience is important, and major and minor pack changes occur frequently. These often take place in the form of projects, as changes in legislation or ingredients often have an impact on a whole range of packs. How can you prevent inconsistency or, what is even worse, wrong packs on the shelf or online?

Speed is key, in the first place to stay ahead of the competition, and in the second place because delays lead to extra costs or loss of turnover. Planning is under pressure because in most cases many stakeholders are involved, each one of them with their own agenda and interests. This requires well-organised workflows and communication flows. You want to move from A to B fast, but quality or brand consistency should never be sacrificed for speed.

With Artwork Connect you can add structure to the entire process, from design to actual production and distribution of the pack in a single system. The application shows the next step in the process and logs all activities, so that you as a brand manager always know what you can expect. In this way, cooperating internally and externally with the stakeholders involved is optimally facilitated. With smart automation and overviews you can steer on the basis of exceptions and complete projects in a timely manner and within the budget.

Because you keep all data and input in a single central environment, you always have full control of your existing brand expressions or those that are being created. This makes it easier for you to retain brand consistency of packs on the shelf and online. In this process, you can use handy comparison tools and centralise feedback, with a smaller chance of error or misunderstanding during development as a result. Additionally, versions are managed in Artwork Connect, so you can be sure that changes are always made to the latest file.

Artwork Connect also keeps an eye on your brand data and process, of course. The system works with clearly defined roles and rights, so it is up to you to decide who can view and edit what. This means that designs are only released once everybody involved and the authorised employees are satisfied with the end result. With API links you can ensure that information between Artwork Connect and other systems is encrypted and shared or retrieved, to prevent the same information from having to be updated and managed at multiple locations.

The result is worthwhile: a fine, visual image and an insightful structure for a short, dynamic chain.

If you get started with Artwork Connect, you can rely on a process solution from design to roll-out that helps realising excellent brand expressions fast, completely, efficiently and securely and with low costs of failure. The time-to-market is shortened, and you keep track of the brand consistency of all of your packaging lines and sales channels. With automated, clearly structured workflows you get rid of many manual and error-prone actions, and you prevent the chance of misunderstandings. A good end result in one go, so that you realise new brand expressions faster and more cost-efficiently.

Do you have any questions, or do you want to see Artwork Connect with your own eyes? Do not hesitate to contact us. op!