Unlock the secrets behind successful companies' artwork management and approval processes that can transform your business.
Major brands and industry leaders rely on centralized artwork management systems (AMS) to keep their design assets organized, accurate, and compliant. A centralized artwork management system is a digital platform that consolidates all artwork-related assets, workflows, and approvals in one place. It is designed to manage packaging graphics, labels, marketing materials, and other visual assets efficiently. These systems are commonly used by industries such as FMCG, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, cosmetics, and retail, where accuracy, compliance, and brand consistency are critical.
Furthermore, streamlined artwork management can significantly reduce time-to-market, cutting down delays that often occur due to approval bottlenecks and miscommunications. This efficiency not only saves time and resources but also enhances the ability to respond promptly to market changes and customer needs.
The artwork approval process refers to the series of steps involved in reviewing, revising, and approving design assets before they are finalized for use, such as packaging, labels, marketing materials, and product visuals. This process ensures that the artwork meets all necessary criteria, including brand guidelines, regulatory requirements, and quality standards, before being printed, published, or distributed.
Adopting an artwork management system can help resolve these challenges by centralizing feedback, automating approval workflows, ensuring version control, and maintaining compliance. Systems like Cway® software allow real-time collaboration, reduce manual errors, and accelerate approval cycles.
Successful companies have adopted several best practices to streamline their artwork management and approval processes. One such practice is the implementation of a centralized digital asset management (DAM) system. This system serves as a single source of truth, housing all artwork assets in one place, making them easily accessible to all stakeholders.
Ben & Jerry’s faced challenges in managing its growing portfolio of product packaging and marketing materials. The company struggled with fragmented asset storage, inconsistent branding, and slow approval processes. Ben & Jerry’s overhauled its digital asset management (DAM) system, centralizing all design assets in one platform. This made assets easily accessible to teams and ensured up-to-date, brand-compliant artwork.
Results:
This overhaul helped Ben & Jerry’s enhance efficiency, maintain brand consistency, and speed up their design processes.
Another best practice is the use of predefined workflows and templates for the approval process. These workflows ensure that each step of the approval process is clearly defined and followed, reducing the chances of errors and omissions.
AstraZeneca, a global biopharmaceutical company, faced challenges managing complex packaging artwork across multiple markets. By implementing a centralized artwork management solution, they achieved:
This solution helped AstraZeneca improve efficiency, compliance, and collaboration in their artwork approval process.
Kavli, a company operating in Scandinavia and England, faced challenges in coordinating artwork across multiple entities with different product portfolios and vendors. During a project to launch a hamburger dressing in Norway, adapted from a Swedish product, Kavli collaborated with Collabra and used the Cway® platform for artwork review and approvals. The positive experience led Kavli to adopt Cway® software as their centralized artwork management hub, supported by their design and artwork vendors.
As a result, Kavli saw:
The advent of digital tools has revolutionized the artwork approval process, making it more efficient and less prone to errors. Digital tools such as cloud-based project management software and collaboration platforms allow for real-time communication and feedback, ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same page.
Moreover, these tools often come with features like automated reminders, version control, and audit trails, which help in tracking the progress of artwork approvals and maintaining a record of changes and approvals. By leveraging these digital tools, companies can significantly reduce the time and effort required for artwork approvals, leading to faster project completion and improved overall efficiency.
Effective artwork management is crucial for maintaining brand consistency, ensuring compliance, and speeding up time-to-market. As we've seen from top companies, adopting centralized systems like Cway® software can significantly streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and boost overall efficiency. With the right digital tools, companies can easily manage their artwork across different regions and projects, minimizing errors and enhancing productivity.
Ready to streamline your artwork management?
For a look at the future trends in artwork management, including labeling and compliance, check out our article 2025 insights: artwork management and labeling trends. Stay ahead of the curve and explore how these trends can further enhance your artwork processes.
Ekaterina Skalatskaia : 2025-02-26 08:30
Effortlessly streamline your approvals and feedback process with Cway®, the ultimate tool for managing product graphics and ensuring every design is...
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Ekaterina Skalatskaia : 2024-10-14 08:15
Ever feel like getting packaging approved is like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube—while it’s on fire?
