How Can Packaging Errors Be Reduced?

Packaging errors, such as regulatory inconsistencies or incorrect nutrition information, can doom your product before it even launches. Something as simple as a spelling mistake can result in delays and unhappy customers, among other costly consequences.

How can packaging errors be reduced? By taking a few additional steps and implementing a packaging artwork management platform like Mox.

In this guide, we'll discuss common packaging errors to watch out for and how you can eliminate them from your approval processes. Let's get started.

Table of Contents

• The Importance of Eliminating Packaging Errors
• Common Packaging Errors to Avoid
• How Can Packaging Errors Be Reduced? 5 Tips
• How Mox Can Help You Reduce Packaging Mistakes

The Importance of Eliminating Packaging Errors

Packaging errors can make or break a product launch. These errors can lead to costly recalls, delayed product launches, brand inconsistencies, frustrated customers, and even regulatory compliance issues. This means eliminating (not just reducing) packaging errors is critical for product success.

Common Packaging Errors to Avoid

If you want to optimize your packaging process, you need to avoid certain errors. That’s easier said than done, though, if you don’t know which errors you’re making.

Here are a few of the most common packaging errors you should be aware of and avoid:

• Spelling and grammar mistakes
• Inaccurate bar codes, QR codes, or SKUs
• Missing label information across products or packaging sizes
• Incorrect labeling of product weight or quantity
• Missing nutrition facts or allergen information

How Can Packaging Errors Be Reduced? 5 Tips

There are many steps you can take today to reduce the number of errors on your packaging. Let's dive into five of these steps:

• Developing a robust label-proofing workflow
• Implementing packaging artwork management software
• Compiling all packaging feedback into one place
• Comparing all file versions carefully
• Communicating label requirements clearly to all key stakeholders

1. Develop a Label-Proofing Workflow

Label proofing is important for two main reasons: meeting customer expectations and ensuring you're adhering to your regulatory requirements. If you don’t conduct proper label proofing, your product might not even make it to market.

One of the best ways to do this is to develop a label-proofing workflow. These workflows typically follow a few key steps:

1. Establish an approval timeline and workflow (assign stakeholders, organize information, and set deadlines).
2. Review artwork (evaluate the design and assess readability).
3. Proofread information (comply with regulations, check spelling, and otherwise verify information).
4. Check guidelines (verify brand guidelines and legal guidelines to ensure product consistency).
5. Assess barcodes (ensure barcodes and QR codes are accurate and that they scan correctly).
6. Check ink coverage (ensure ink covers artwork consistently).
7. Check for color separation (make sure colors separate correctly and are consistent with the brand’s palette).

2. Implement Packaging Artwork Management Software

Packaging errors can occur at any step of the process. As projects get more complex and more stakeholders get involved, more opportunities for errors arise. That’s where packaging artwork management software can help.

Packaging artwork management software consolidates all your artwork and files in one place. This provides visibility for employees and stakeholders, ensuring a smoother artwork management process with fewer mistakes.

3. Compile All Feedback in One Place

How many times have you played email tag? Perhaps you've found yourself messaging back and forth with stakeholders, trying to get feedback to approve artwork. 

Aside from headaches, managing feedback like this can lead to catastrophe. For example, missing an email with critical feedback can lead to costly errors that derail your product launch. The key is to save all feedback in one, centralized location. This way, all stakeholders can review feedback and make the necessary changes.

An artwork management platform like Mox keeps all of your feedback in one place. When deadlines are looming, you can be sure you have all relevant information in front of you, ensuring the artwork is up to everyone’s standards.

4. Compare File Versions Carefully

Every piece of packaging artwork passes through many hands. Many of those hands edit, revert, and otherwise provide input on the artwork. And each hand-off and change is a potential discrepancy.

It's important to compare all the versions of a file carefully to ensure only the most recent file is pushed through the approval process.

Comparing file versions manually is tedious—the kind of mind-numbing process that can lead to absentminded mistakes. If you want to avoid that, packaging artwork software can help you keep file versions consistent and visible throughout the approval process.

5. Communicate Label Requirements Clearly

Communication is key, especially for label requirements in artwork approval. One miscommunication can derail an entire project, leading to potential consequences for everyone involved.

Everyone needs to be on the same page regarding requirements like artwork direction and legal requirements. While you can manually provide these details to stakeholders, you can also use an artwork management platform. With Mox, you can attach all requirements to each artwork file for easy proofing.

How Mox Can Help You Reduce Packaging Mistakes

All of the above steps are simplified with a robust artwork management platform. Mox is a 3-in-1 tool that combines project management, digital proofing, and digital asset management into one platform.

Using Mox, you can take advantage of tools such as customized project attributes, markup and annotation, advanced color proofing, and so much more. Plus, you can store all artwork files and versions in one place for easy access and future use.

With Mox, all product requirements and feedback can be attached to your files, ensuring regulatory compliance and preventing feedback from being overlooked. All of these benefits result in fewer packaging mistakes and faster product launches.

Streamline Artwork Review & Approval With Mox

Artwork review and approval can be tedious and difficult. What’s worse is the potential for catastrophic failure if mistakes are made. However, a platform like Mox can help you reduce packaging errors and launch with ease. Mox is built with all of the above best practices in mind and then some.

Mox automates and streamlines the artwork approval process, keeping every stakeholder in the loop. Packaging artwork review and approval have never been more straightforward. Get your free trial of Mox today!