Their journey at a glance:

• Serves businesses with $1-10M annual turnover
• Works with startups to billion-dollar companies
• Highest-rated digital marketing agency in Western Australia
• Expanded from local to international clients
• Built comprehensive digital marketing solutions

All about Aligned Agency: Backstory, company overview, failures, and more!

Could you tell us about your backstory?

“My journey began in 1993 with a global upbringing. I was born in the UK to Indian parents working there on secondment, and we moved back to Kenya when I was around two years old. Growing up in Kenya was amazing, and I have some fantastic memories of my childhood there.

In high school, I excelled in Math and science, which led me to study engineering at the University of Western Australia, following in my dad’s footsteps. However, I soon realized engineering wasn’t my passion, so I switched to commerce and marketing, which aligned much better with my personality, strengths, and skills.

I’ve always been highly entrepreneurial since I was six years old. From selling toys and marbles in primary school to various hustles in Australia, I’ve always looked for opportunities. Some of my early entrepreneurial ventures included selling candy bars, buying and selling cameras online, and even putting together and selling sticker packs from skate magazines.”

What does Aligned Agency specialize in?

“Aligned Agency is a digital marketing agency with a mission to be a key driving force in helping people grow and achieve their definition of success in their businesses and lives. We don’t just see ourselves as a marketing agency or growth partner; we strive to be one of the main reasons our clients achieve their dreams.

We typically work with companies with annual turnovers between $1 and $10 million, helping them grow to their desired levels. Our services include:

• Website design
• Search advertising
• Social media advertising
• Digital strategy

Our clients range from startups to billion-dollar companies across local, national, and international markets.”

Agency focus:

• Building solid digital foundations
• Long-term client success
• Strategic growth planning
• Comprehensive digital solutions

How did you start your business?

“My favorite story about starting the business is from 2014 when I returned from a backpacking trip through Europe. After contacting 40-50 companies for internships without response, I decided to explore internet advertising and digital marketing independently.

While working at JB Hi-Fi, I would pitch my marketing services to customers who made business purchases. One day, a guy named Nathan, who ran a modular housing studio, gave me a chance. He mentored me and taught me about outsourcing, Google AdWords, web strategy, and web design.

I gained my first ten customers by cold-calling local businesses from the phone book. By the time I finished university, I was making six figures part-time, and after graduation, I expanded the business, built a great team, and continued growing to where we are now.”

What challenges did you face along the way?

“Although there have been many micro failures and lessons along the way, my biggest lesson was not charging what I was genuinely worth until much later in the business journey. My commitment to clients was extremely high initially, but I significantly undercharged for my services compared to competitors.

The key takeaway is to permit yourself to charge what you’re worth. If you’re providing a premium service with the best results in the industry and have high levels of commitment and passion, you should charge accordingly.”

GoVisually & Aligned Agency

How did GoVisually help transform your workflow?

“We discovered GoVisually during a critical time when our previous design-proofing tool, Proof.me, suddenly shut down. We lost several live projects and weeks of work. Many alternatives we tried were overcomplicated, had unclear workflows, or lacked user-friendliness.

Our head of web development, Harry, discovered GoVisually, which stood out for its:

• Simplicity and ease of use
• Intuitive design
• Streamlined efficiency
• Comprehensive features

Within 24 hours, we decided to commit to GoVisually fully. It was exactly what we needed at the perfect time.”

How do you use GoVisually in your daily operations?

“We use GoVisually for:

• Website UI/UX designs
• Existing site improvements
• Creative assets development
• Ad graphics for Facebook, Instagram, and Google
• Team collaboration and communication

Without it, we couldn’t imagine running our company, workflows, and operations. It has become an integral part of our creative department; the whole team loves using it.”

Aligned Agency building a legacy: Founder advices, future plans, & recommendation!

What’s next for Aligned Agency?

“We’re focusing on:

• Expanding our talented team
• Working with more value-aligned clients
• Exploring technology business spaces
• Developing digital marketing courses
• Growing our international presence

In the short to medium term (1-3 years), we aim to make the agency as resilient, robust, and exceptional as possible.”

What advice would you give other founders?

“Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

1. Play the long game

• Stop looking for an endpoint
• Enjoy every part of the journey
• Think of it as an infinite game
• Remember there’s no such thing as failure—only growth

2. Look after yourself

• Prioritize mental and physical health
• Don’t sacrifice wellbeing for success
• Build a strong support network
• Make time for personal development”

Recommended Tools & Resources

Essential digital tools:

• GoVisually for design proofing
• Monday.com for project management
• Slack for internal communication
• Zoom and Google Meet for calls
• SEMrush and AHREFS for marketing
• Xero for accounting

Favorite Podcasts & Books:

• How I Built This with Guy Raz
• The Frankie Lee Podcast
• Diary of a CEO
• The Surrender Experiment
• Good to Great

The post Behind the scenes of Aligned Agency’s success story. appeared first on GoVisually.

All about Design on Edge: Backstory, company overview, failures, and more!

Their journey at a glance:

• Started with just $40 during a recession
• Grew from 2 to 7 team members
• Earned 100+ industry recognitions
• Expanded from local to nationwide clients
• Overcame significant personal and professional challenges

Let’s get started now.

Could you please tell us about your backstory?

Courtney: “I grew up in Reno, Nevada, with some time spent in New York and Alaska. My passion for graphic design and photography started at a young age, around 12 or 13 years old. Both Chris and I were raised by strong, entrepreneurial, single mothers who taught us to carve out our own paths and find independence.”

“Unsure about college, I ended up participating in one of the first charter programs for high school in Northern Nevada at Truckee Meadows Community College, which had a strong design program. At the time, I worked two jobs, volunteered at a local TV station, and did high school and college credits. I spent a lot of time on campus before earning my degree and meeting Chris during my final semester of graphic design.”

Chris: “I grew up in a small town called Truckee, California, about 45 miles outside of Reno, Nevada. I spent much time outdoors, snowboarding and swimming, which led to summer jobs as a snowboard instructor and lifeguard.”

“I took a graphics class in high school, sparking my passion for design. After moving to Reno and attending community college, I fell in love with graphic design. Post-graduation, I worked at a local casino and later at a national clothing brand, handling their e-commerce design, photography, and catalog design.”

How did you start Design on Edge?

Courtney: “Our paths came together when we both started working in the casino industry, which was a fast-paced and demanding environment. As the recession hit, marketing departments were disbanding or merging, and my casino closed. I had to freelance and find design work wherever I could. When the casino reopened under new ownership, I had the opportunity to consult and called Chris to join me. With only $40 in the bank and a business license from college, we started Design on Edge at the peak of the recession.”

Chris: “The name actually came from a college project where I had to design a logo for a company. I chose Design on Edge, and after the class, I took it seriously. It ultimately became the name of our company.”

“Over the years, we’ve faced challenges, from unreliable cars to credit card debt and even a brief period of homelessness. Today, 17 years later, we’re married with a beautiful son and a thriving business. We’ve contributed to the economic development of our community, supported numerous nonprofits, and received over 100 recognitions for community service, marketing, mentoring, and national awards for graphic design and communications.”

What does your agency specialize in?

“Design on Edge is a boutique-style agency based in Reno, Nevada that specializes in creating brand identities through graphic design, illustration, web design, and strategic marketing. Our family-owned business has been operating for 17 years, and while we’re based in Reno, we work with clients nationwide.”

“We began in 2006 as a two-person team and have since grown into a multidisciplinary team of seven. Our firm works with diverse clients, including nonprofits, medical and wellness industries, arts and culture, and food and beverage. Our goal is to tell the story of your business through the creative arts, helping you build a strong brand identity.”

Courtney: “We always knew we wanted to focus on graphic design and collaborated well. Chris was passionate about digital design, technology trends, and understanding the psychology behind user experiences. Meanwhile, I wanted to do more than just production work and was focused on understanding what people want from a design.”

What challenges did you face along the way?

“As business founders, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges and failures. One of the most significant issues we encountered in our early days as a small agency was the lack of an efficient workflow system. When we first started, it was just the two of us, and we struggled with project management and client communication. Our inability to catch errors, printing mistakes, and typos was costly and put our reputation on the line. For a small agency or freelancer, one mistake can have long-lasting consequences.”

“Of course, we haven’t completely figured everything out, but we’re doing our best to learn and grow from our mistakes. Owning up to our errors and finding solutions has been crucial in keeping clients and preventing staff losses. One key lesson we’ve learned is the importance of understanding our worth and avoiding the trap of endless proof due to miscommunication or inefficiencies.”

Company overview: Design on Edge today

The firm has evolved into a boutique-style agency specializing in:

• Brand identity creation
• Graphic design
• Illustration
• Web design
• Strategic marketing

Their client portfolio spans:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Medical and wellness industries
• Arts and culture sectors
• Food and beverage companies

Their impact extends beyond client work, having earned:

• Over 100 recognitions for community service
• National awards for graphic design
• Marketing excellence acknowledgments
• Mentoring commendations

GoVisually & Design on Edge

How did GoVisually help transform your workflow?

“We found GoVisually when we were in desperate need of proofing software. We wanted to avoid sending clients emails and find a more efficient solution for receiving feedback. After searching online, we came across GoVisually and thought it might work for us.”

“GoVisually has played a significant role in overcoming these challenges by providing us with a platform to reference old proofs, track changes, and ensure that everything is marked off before sending the project back to the client or printing. It has improved our communication and enabled us to maintain better relationships with our clients and staff.”

How do you use GoVisually in your daily operations?

“We use GoVisually daily at Design on Edge for our internal team and clients. It allows us to critique each other’s projects, provide feedback, and track progress. It’s beneficial for keeping in touch with our remote employees and ensuring we understand where they are on specific projects.”

“GoVisually is also fantastic for clients in different time zones, allowing them to access and provide real-time edits. The chat feature helps us communicate instantly, making our collaboration more constructive. It has significantly sped up our workflow and enabled our team to work on projects even when they’re out of the office.”

“The instant feedback feature and the ability to have multiple versions stacked on top of each other have been essential for our efficiency. We can quickly reference previous versions if a client wants to revert to an earlier design that streamlines our production schedule.”

What specific improvements have you seen?

“GoVisually has impacted our business in numerous ways. It has helped us become more sustainable by reducing our paper waste and streamlined our workflow by reducing the number of proofs we need, thanks to the efficient cross-referencing and editing features.”

“Integration with Slack has also helped improve our communication, as our team can be notified instantly when there’s an update on a project. The increased efficiency in our workflow has reduced overhead costs, minimized errors in final press projects, and given us peace of mind.”

“The approval feature within GoVisually allows us to receive approvals and move forward with projects faster, which in turn helps us receive revenue faster. Overall, GoVisually has allowed us to grow our business and team more efficiently, thanks to its improved communication and streamlined processes.”

The transformation wasn’t just about adopting new software—it was about transforming how they worked with clients and managed projects.

Impact Metrics:

• Streamlined approval processes
• Enhanced team collaboration
• Improved client satisfaction
• Reduced operational costs
• Faster project completion

Design on Edge building a legacy: Founder advices, future plans, & goals!

What’s next for Design on Edge?

“While the importance of community has always been at the heart of what we do, it hasn’t been more apparent than in the past few years. Like everyone else, we tried our best to survive while ensuring our clients and those close to us were cared for and ultimately focusing on best using our skills to serve our neighbors and the community.”

“We asked ourselves what our foundational values and beliefs indeed were. What is it that drives us to continue to create? Why do we continue to develop and build relationships? What do our goals and dreams look like now in a post-pandemic world?”

“Our future is focused on creating a thriving workspace for creatives to grow our portfolio and our team to continue to extend Nationally. To provide brand strategies that push boundaries and compelling aesthetic design that can be inspiring, inclusive, informative, and impactful.”

Measuring Success:

• Reduced paper waste and overhead costs
• Faster project approvals and revenue collection
• Minimized errors in final deliverables
• Improved team and client communication
• Enhanced remote work capabilities

What advice would you give other founders?

Courtney: “My advice to other founders is to remember your initial dreams and goals and not forget who you are. Businesses and people change over time, but building a solid network early in your career is crucial. Collaborate with vendors, friends, family, and people in different industries. At Design on Edge, we believe collaboration over competition is essential for growth.”

Chris: “I’d say it’s okay not to know everything or have all the answers. Keep moving forward, learn the software, learn the job, and don’t give up on your goals and dreams.”

Courtney: “Adapting to change is also crucial. When we started, many tools and software like GoVisually weren’t available. Be prepared to adapt to new technologies and changing circumstances. Our business started in a recession and faced challenges during the pandemic. But we pivoted, kept our employees and clients going, and rebuilt our business. Be flexible, trust you can find a solution, and lean on your network in tough times. Be bold in the face of adversity and inclusive in your decisions – that’s the best advice we can give now.”

So the key takeaways are:

Building Strong Foundations

• Remember initial dreams and goals
• Stay true to core values
• Build solid networks early
• Maintain authenticity
• Focus on sustainable growth

Professional Development

• Embrace continuous learning
• Stay adaptable with technology
• Keep moving forward
• Accept not knowing everything
• Maintain persistence toward goals

Business Relationships

“Collaboration over competition is essential for growth”

• Network across industries
• Maintain vendor relationships
• Nurture client connections
• Build industry partnerships
• Value every professional contact

Adaptation Strategies

• Embrace technological changes
• Pivot during challenging times
• Stay flexible in approach
• Trust in problem-solving abilities
• Lean on professional networks

Looking Forward

Today, Design on Edge focuses on:

• Creating a thriving workspace for creatives
• Expanding their national presence
• Developing innovative brand strategies
• Building stronger community connections
• Supporting the next generation of designers

Founder’s recommendations & resources

What are your go to digital tools?

• The Adobe Suite for all our creative platforms
• GoVisually for all proofing and client dashboards
• Slack (to message)
• Monday (Project Management)
• Zoom to communicate
• Emma to send out newsletters
• SEMrush to monitor Search Engine Marketing
• WordPress for CMS Software

Any podcasts or websites you love?

• Just Creative Podcast
• GD USA
• Luerzers Archive
• Comm Arts
• World Brand Design
• Forbes

The post How Design on Edge scaled from $40 to an award-winning agency with GoVisually? appeared first on GoVisually.

We’ve created this guide to help you find every certification you need in one place. From regulatory requirements to voluntary standards, you’ll find clear information about certification criteria and direct links to official sources. Each section breaks down the specific requirements and steps needed to secure these certifications for your cosmetic products.

Use this guide as your central resource for cosmetic certifications. Each certification includes direct links to official sources, making it simple to start your certification process. Whether you’re launching your first product line or expanding your existing brand, this guide will help you meet compliance requirements and build consumer confidence.

Quick reference: Essential cosmetic certifications at a glance

Know your cosmetic certifications!

Here, we’ve mapped out what each certification actually delivers, from market access to consumer trust, so you can make informed choices.

Mandatory regulatory certifications

These certifications form the foundation of cosmetic manufacturing compliance in the USA. They ensure product safety, quality standards, and proper manufacturing practices—essential requirements for selling cosmetic products in the American market.

1. FDA facility registration: Basic requirement for all cosmetic manufacturing facilities under the FDA’s Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program (VCRP). While voluntary, this registration is highly recommended and may become mandatory under new legislation.

Official forms:

• Form FDA 2511 for product registration
• Form FDA 2512 for facility registration
• eDRLS electronic system registration

Criteria:

• Complete facility information and documentation
• Product ingredient listings
• Manufacturing process documentation
• Safety data maintenance
• Regular updates of registration information

Where to get it: FDA’s Online Registration Portal

2. GMP certification (ISO 22716): Validates that your facility follows Good Manufacturing Practices specific to cosmetics production.

Official certifications:

• ISO 22716 certification mark
• Certificate of GMP Compliance
• Certifying body’s GMP mark

Criteria:

• Personnel training programs
• Suitable premises and equipment
• Proper documentation systems
• Production controls
• Quality control procedures
• Clear complaint handling process

Where to get it: ISO-accredited certification bodies like SGS, LRAQ, etc.

3. Safety assessment certification: Required documentation proving product safety under intended use conditions.

Official documentation:

• Safety Assessment Report
• Product Information File (PIF)
• Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Criteria:

• Complete ingredient safety data
• Stability testing results
• Microbiological quality testing
• Toxicological assessment
• Documented safety studies
• Clear usage instructions

Where to get it: Qualified Safety Assessors or authorized testing laboratories

4. Osha safety certification: Ensures workplace safety compliance in manufacturing facilities.

Official documentation:

• OSHA compliance certificates
• Safety training records
• Hazard assessment documents

Criteria:

• Workplace safety protocols
• Chemical handling procedures
• Emergency response plans
• Employee safety training
• Regular safety audits
• Proper safety equipment

Where to get it: OSHA

Quality and safety certifications

These certifications go beyond basic regulatory requirements to validate higher standards of product safety and quality management. They’re valuable for brands looking to build consumer trust and demonstrate their commitment to safety.

Ewg verified: One of the most respected safety certifications in personal care products. This certification confirms products meet strict safety and transparency standards

Criteria:

• Full ingredient disclosure
• No EWG red-list ingredients
• Manufacturing transparency
• Proper labeling practices
• GMP documentation
• Regular verification updates

Where to get it: Environmental Working Group (EWG)

NSF/ANSI 305: Quality standard specifically for personal care products with organic ingredients.

Criteria:

• Minimum 70% organic content
• Documented ingredient sources
• Quality control systems
• Processing method validation
• Regular facility audits
• Proper organic handling

Where to get it: NSF International

ISO 9001:2015: International standard for quality management systems in manufacturing.

Criteria:

• Documented quality processes
• Risk management systems
• Customer focus programs
• Continuous improvement plans
• Internal audit procedures
• Management review process

Where to get it: Accredited ISO certification bodies including Global Legit Solution, SGS, etc.

Clean label project: Focuses on product purity and tests for harmful contaminants.

Criteria:

• Heavy metal testing
• Environmental toxin screening
• Plasticizer analysis
• Label claim verification
• Supply chain transparency
• Regular product testing

Where to get it: Clean Label Project organization

Natural and organic certifications

These certifications verify that products meet specific standards for natural and organic ingredients. They’re essential for brands targeting the growing natural beauty market and consumers seeking clean beauty products.

USDA organic: The federal standard for organic ingredients in personal care products. While primarily for agricultural ingredients, it’s becoming increasingly important in cosmetics.

Criteria:

• 95-100% organic ingredients
• No prohibited substances
• Separate organic handling
• Detailed record keeping
• Third-party inspection
• Annual certification renewal

Where to get it: USDA Agricultural Marketing Services

Cosmos standard: International standard specifically designed for organic and natural cosmetics.

Criteria:

• Minimum 95% natural ingredients
• At least 20% organic content
• Sustainable packaging
• Approved processing methods
• Environmental management plan
• Full ingredient traceability

Where to get it: COSMOS Standard

NATRUE: European-based certification gaining recognition in the US market for natural cosmetics.

Criteria:

• Natural and derived-natural ingredients only
• Three certification levels available
• Sustainable production methods
• No synthetic fragrances
• No petroleum-based ingredients
• Annual re-certification

Where to get it: NATRUE

Natural Products Association (NPA): US-based certification for natural personal care products.

Official logos:

• NPA Natural seal
• Certified Natural mark
• Digital verification badge

Criteria:

• 95% natural ingredients
• Natural processing methods
• No animal testing
• Biodegradable ingredients
• Environmentally sensitive packaging
• Full formula disclosure

Where to get it: Natural Products Association

Ethical and sustainability certifications

These certifications show your commitment to ethical practices, from animal welfare to environmental protection. They’re crucial for brands wanting to meet growing consumer demand for responsible and sustainable beauty products.

Leaping Bunny: The gold standard for cruelty-free certification in cosmetics. This certification proves no animal testing at any stage of product development.

Criteria:

• No animal testing by company
• No third-party animal testing
• Supplier monitoring system
• Annual renewal process
• Supply chain audits
• Fixed cut-off date policy

Where to get it: Leaping Bunny Org

Peta certified cruelty-free: Widely recognized certification verifying no animal testing in product development.

Criteria:

• Written no-test policy
• Supplier agreements
• No sales in China (unless exempt)
• Ingredient verification
• Regular compliance updates
• Public commitment statement

Where to get it: PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program

Fair trade certification: Ensures ethical sourcing of ingredients and fair labor practices throughout the supply chain.

Criteria:

• Fair wages for workers
• Safe working conditions
• Environmental protection
• Community development funds
• Transparent supply chain
• Regular social audits

Where to get it: Fair Trade USA 

Specialized certifications

These certifications address specific consumer needs and market segments. They help brands target particular consumer groups and validate specialized product claims.

Halal certification: Verifies products meet Islamic law requirements, crucial for brands targeting Muslim consumers.

Criteria:

• No prohibited ingredients
• Separate production lines
• Proper cleaning protocols
• Ingredient traceability
• Storage requirements
• Regular site inspections

Where to get it: American Halal Foundation

Non-GMO Project Verified: Confirms products are produced without genetically modified organisms.

Criteria:

• GMO risk ingredient testing
• Supplier verification
• Segregation practices
• Traceability requirements
• Annual renewal
• Ongoing monitoring

Where to get it: Non-GMO Project

Gluten-Free Certification: Important for consumers with gluten sensitivities using personal care products.

Criteria:

• Less than 10ppm gluten
• Cross-contamination controls
• Ingredient verification
• Regular product testing
• Facility inspections
• Documentation systems

Where to get it: Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO)

4. Hypoallergenic certification: Validates products are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Official logos:

• Allergy certified mark
• Dermatologist tested seal
• Clinical testing verification

Criteria:

• Allergen-free formulation
• Clinical testing results
• Sensitivity testing
• Safety assessments
• Documentation of studies
• Regular verification

Where to get it: Independent testing laboratories and certification bodies

Making certification decisions for your brand

“Which certifications do I really need?” “How much will this cost?” “Will these certifications actually help my sales?” If you’re asking these questions, you’re not alone. Every cosmetic brand faces these decisions, and the wrong choices can cost thousands in fees and months of preparation time. So follow these steps to invest in the right type of certificate.

Choosing the right certifications

Let’s cut through the confusion. While your competitors might be chasing every certification symbol they can fit on their packaging, smart brands know better. The truth is, certain certifications carry more weight with buyers than others, and some combinations work better for specific market segments. Here’s what you need to ask before making your purchase decisions:

• What are your target market’s expectations?
• Which claims are essential for your product positioning?
• What’s your budget and timeline for certification?
• Do you have the resources to maintain certification standards?

Cost considerations

• Mandatory certifications: Plan for FDA registration and safety testing costs
• Quality certifications: Factor in audit and annual renewal fees
• Organic certifications: Consider higher ingredient costs and certification fees
• Multiple certifications: Look for certification bodies offering combined audits

Implementation tips

• Start with mandatory certifications
• Build quality management systems early
• Document everything from day one
• Train staff on certification requirements
• Plan for annual renewal costs
• Consider working with certification consultants

Next steps

1. Review your product line and target market
2. Prioritize certifications based on business goals
3. Contact certification bodies for detailed requirements
4. Create a certification budget and timeline
5. Begin gathering required documentation

Keep this guide bookmarked as your reference for certification requirements and official sources. Each certification body provides detailed application packages and support for the certification process.

Remember to verify current requirements directly with certification bodies, as standards may change over time. Your certification journey builds trust with consumers and opens new market opportunities for your brand.

The post Complete Guide to Cosmetic Certifications in the USA: Requirements & Logos [2025] appeared first on GoVisually.

We’ve created this comprehensive resource to simplify your certification journey. Whether you’re launching a new product line or expanding into different markets, you’ll find direct links to official certification logos and their source websites. Each section provides clear information about certification requirements, criteria, and proper logo usage guidelines – everything you need to improve your product labeling and compliance.

Bookmark this guide as your go-to reference for food certification logos. Each logo is linked to its original source, making it easy to download high-fidelity versions for your product labels. Whether you’re a seasoned manufacturer or launching a new food brand, this resource is designed to save time, streamline compliance, and help you create labels that build confidence at a glance.

Quick reference: Top food certifications at a glance!

Explaining food certifications: Criteria, logos, and what they mean for your brand?

Before launching your food product, find out which label you should have for each of these categories. 

Dietary & lifestyle certifications

These certifications validate specific claims about food ingredients and manufacturing processes, ensuring that products meet certain dietary requirements or are free from allergens. They’re essential for manufacturers targeting consumers with dietary restrictions or lifestyle choices.

Certified gluten-free: Verifies products contain gluten levels below established safety thresholds. It ensures manufacturing processes prevent cross-contamination and confirms ongoing compliance through regular testing protocols.

Criteria:

• Products must contain less than 10ppm of gluten
• Dedicated production lines or thorough cleaning validation
• Regular ingredient testing and verification
• Comprehensive allergen control program

Where to get it?: Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO)

Certified vegan: This certification confirms products contain no animal-derived ingredients and are manufactured without animal testing. It validates that all aspects of production align with vegan standards and principles.

Criteria:

• Zero animal-derived ingredients or by-products
• No cross-contamination with animal products
• No animal testing in development or production
• Verified GMO-free status for high-risk ingredients

Where to get it?: Vegan Action, V-Label, American Vegan Society, BeVeg Certified, PETA-Approved Vegan

Dairy-free certification: A certification verifying products contain no dairy ingredients and are manufactured in facilities with strict controls to prevent dairy cross-contamination. Essential for consumers with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance.

Criteria:

• Complete absence of dairy ingredients
• Dedicated production lines or validated cleaning processes
• Regular testing for dairy protein residues
• Staff training on allergen management

Where to get it?: ACS USA

Nut-free certification: Certified products are manufactured without nuts and in facilities that maintain strict protocols to prevent nut contamination. Critical for consumers with severe nut allergies.

Criteria:

• Zero nut ingredients in facility
• Supplier verification program
• Regular testing protocols
• Comprehensive allergen control plan

Where to get it?: ACS, MenuTrinfo

Msg-free certification: Verifies products contain no added monosodium glutamate and are produced in facilities that maintain MSG-free status. Important for consumers sensitive to MSG or seeking clean-label products.

Criteria:

• No added MSG in formulations
• Natural glutamate disclosure if present
• Supplier ingredient verification
• Regular testing protocols

Where to get it?: There is no standardized or officially recognized certification logo specifically for “MSG-free” products in the United States. Unlike certifications for organic or gluten-free products, which have established certification bodies and logos, the designation of “MSG-free” is typically managed directly by manufacturers.

Governmental food certifications 

These certifications represent mandatory regulatory requirements established by national authorities. They ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulations, making them essential for legal market access and consumer protection.

USDA Organic: Validates that food products meet strict federal guidelines for organic production, from soil quality to processing methods. Ensures proper oversight of farming practices and additive usage in food processing.

Criteria: 

• 95% organic ingredients for full USDA organic seal 
• No prohibited substances or methods GMO-free production 
• Soil and water conservation practices 

Where to get it?: USDA Agriculture Marketing Services

USDA FSIS:  Mandatory inspection program ensuring the safety, wholesomeness, and correct labeling of meat, poultry, and egg products through continuous monitoring and inspection. 

Criteria: 

• HACCP system implementation 
• Sanitation standard operating procedures 
• Pathogen reduction programs 
• Label claim verification Common

Where to get it?: USDA Agriculture Marketing Services

FDA Food Facility registration: Required registration for facilities manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding food for U.S. consumption under the Food Safety Modernization Act. 

Criteria: 

• Biennial registration renewal 
• Preventive controls implementation 
• Supply chain program Food safety plan development Common 

Where to get it?: No specific logo. Registration number is used for FDA Establishment Identifier at FDA’s official site.

Religious certifications

 These certifications ensure products meet specific religious dietary laws and requirements, crucial for manufacturers targeting markets where religious dietary observations influence purchasing decisions.

OU Kosher: World’s largest kosher certification agency, considered the global benchmark for kosher standards.

Criteria: 

• Kosher ingredient sourcing 
• Separate meat/dairy production 
• Rabbinical supervision 
• Equipment kosherization 

Where to get it?: Orthodox Union (exclusive)

Environmental and sustainability certifications

These certifications verify responsible production practices and ecological stewardship. They address growing consumer demand for environmentally conscious products while ensuring sustainable business practices throughout the supply chain, focusing on conservation, sustainability, and environmental protection at every stage of food production.

Rainforest alliance: Validates that products meet comprehensive standards for environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic viability in tropical agriculture. This certification ensures that farming practices maintain biodiversity while supporting local communities.

Criteria:

• Forest conservation practices including buffer zone maintenance
• Wildlife protection measures with biodiversity monitoring
• Fair labor conditions and community development programs
• Sustainable farming methods with soil health management
• Water conservation and watershed protection
• Climate-smart agriculture practices

Where to get it?: Rainforest Alliance Org

Marine stewardship council: Certifies sustainable fishing practices and seafood traceability from ocean to plate. This certification ensures fish populations remain healthy while minimizing environmental impact on marine ecosystems.

Criteria:

• Sustainable fish stock management with regular assessments
• Minimizing environmental impact through regulated fishing methods
• Effective fishery management with proper documentation
• Chain of custody verification throughout supply chain
• Regular audits of fishing practices and catch methods
• Compliance with international fishing regulations

Where to get it?: Marine Stewardship Council

Carbon trust: Validates products’ carbon footprint and environmental impact claims through scientific assessment. This certification helps manufacturers demonstrate their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Criteria:

• Carbon footprint measurement across entire supply chain
• Emission reduction targets with annual milestones
• Environmental management systems implementation
• Annual performance review and documentation
• Energy efficiency improvements
• Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions tracking

Where to get it?: Carbon Trust

Dolphin-safe tuna: Verifies that tuna products are caught using methods that protect dolphins and other marine mammals. This certification ensures responsible fishing practices that maintain marine ecosystem balance while providing sustainable seafood sources.

Criteria:

• No intentional chasing, encirclement, or netting of dolphins
• No accidental dolphin mortality or serious injury
• Independent observer verification on all fishing vessels
• Comprehensive tracking and monitoring systems
• Regular audits of fishing methods and equipment
• Strict compliance with international conservation laws

Where to get it?: NOAA Fisheries

Made safe: Comprehensive certification for products made without harmful chemicals or ingredients. This certification goes beyond basic safety requirements to ensure products are safe for human health and ecosystem balance.

Criteria:

• No known toxic chemicals in final product or processing
• All ingredients screened for bioaccumulation concerns
• Ecosystem impact assessment for each ingredient
• Complete supply chain verification and documentation
• Regular testing for prohibited substances
• Packaging material safety verification

Where to get it?: Made Safe Organization

Independent organizational certifications

These third-party certifications validate food safety and quality management systems through rigorous verification processes. While voluntary, they often determine access to major retailers and international markets, making them essential for commercial success and brand credibility.

SQF certification: Safe Quality Food certification provides comprehensive validation of food safety and quality management systems. This globally recognized program ensures consistent, high-quality production standards across all food categories.

Criteria:

• HACCP plan implementation with validation studies
• Comprehensive quality management system documentation
• Good manufacturing practices verification
• Risk assessment protocols for all processes
• Employee training and competency programs
• Environmental monitoring programs
• Supply chain verification protocols

Where to get it?: SQFI Institute 

Religious certifications

These certifications ensure products meet specific religious dietary laws and requirements. They’re crucial for manufacturers targeting markets where religious dietary observations significantly influence purchasing decisions, requiring meticulous attention to ingredients, processing methods, and facility management.

Ou kosher: The world’s largest and most widely recognized kosher certification agency, setting the global benchmark for kosher standards. This certification validates compliance with Jewish dietary laws through comprehensive oversight of ingredients, equipment, and production processes, ensuring products meet the highest standards of kosher requirements.

Criteria:

• Complete verification of all ingredients’ kosher status
• Separate production lines for meat and dairy products
• Continuous rabbinical supervision during production
• Equipment kosherization through specific heating procedures
• Steam and hot water system segregation
• Detailed documentation of all ingredients and processes
• Strict cleaning and sanitation protocols between productions
• Special Passover certification requirements when applicable
• Regular facility inspections and compliance monitoring
• Supply chain verification for all raw materials

Where to get it?: Orthodox Union (exclusive certification authority)

Ok kosher: One of the most respected global kosher certification agencies, known for combining traditional Jewish law with modern food technology understanding. This certification offers comprehensive kosher supervision with particular expertise in industrial food production.

Criteria:

• Digital monitoring systems for production tracking
• Ingredient database verification and maintenance
• Regular production line inspections
• Advanced kosherization protocols for modern equipment
• Detailed batch tracking requirements
• Cross-contamination prevention procedures
• Staff training on kosher requirements
• Special production scheduling requirements
• Annual recertification process
• Emergency rabbinical supervision availability

Where to get it?: OK Kosher Certification

Ethical and fair trade certifications

These certifications validate fair compensation practices and ethical treatment throughout the supply chain. They ensure products meet rigorous standards for social responsibility, sustainable farming, and humane treatment of both workers and animals.

Fair trade usa: Premier third-party certifier of fair trade products in North America, ensuring equitable trading practices and sustainable livelihoods for farming communities. This certification validates comprehensive standards for social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

Criteria:

• Payment of Fair Trade minimum price to producers
• Community development premium investment
• Safe working conditions and fair labor practices
• Environmental sustainability requirements
• Transparent supply chain documentation
• Democratic organization of producer groups
• Gender equality promotion programs
• Child labor prohibition enforcement

Where to get it?: Fair Trade USA (exclusive)

Fair Trade International: Global organization setting international fair trade standards and supporting small-scale farmers and workers. This certification ensures sustainable development and trade equity across international markets.

Criteria:

• Guaranteed minimum price protection
• Fairtrade Premium for community projects
• Democratic cooperative organization
• Environmental protection standards
• Long-term trading partnerships
• Pre-harvest financing options
• Women’s empowerment initiatives
• Climate change adaptation support

Where to get it?: Fair Trade International (exclusive)

American humane certified: Comprehensive certification program ensuring the humane treatment of farm animals throughout their lifecycle. This certification validates animal welfare standards across all aspects of farming operations.

Criteria:

• Science-based animal welfare standards
• Regular third-party auditing
• Environmental enrichment requirements
• Proper nutrition and veterinary care
• Safe, hygienic housing conditions
• Natural behavior accommodation
• Transportation and handling guidelines
• Emergency response planning

Where to get it?: American Humane Association

Product composition certifications

These certifications verify specific claims about product ingredients and manufacturing processes. They provide assurance about product contents, processing methods, and packaging materials, crucial for manufacturers targeting health-conscious consumers.

Non-GMO project: Most rigorous third-party verification for GMO avoidance in North America. This certification ensures products are produced according to comprehensive best practices for GMO avoidance.

Criteria:

• Comprehensive ingredient testing protocols
• Supply chain traceability requirements
• Strict segregation practices
• Annual verification renewal
• Risk assessment procedures
• Action threshold compliance
• Continuous monitoring systems
• Quality assurance protocols

Where to get it?: Non GMO Project

Made with natural ingredients: Validates claims about natural ingredient sourcing and processing methods. This certification ensures products meet strict standards for natural ingredients and minimal processing.

Criteria:

• Minimal processing methods verification
• No synthetic ingredient usage
• Natural preservative requirements
• Ingredient sourcing transparency
• Processing method documentation
• Sustainability considerations
• Packaging material standards
• Quality control processes

Where to get it?: Natural Products Association

BPA-free: Certifies products and packaging are free from bisphenol A compounds. This certification ensures product safety through comprehensive material testing and manufacturing controls.

Criteria:

• Zero BPA in materials or components
• Alternative material validation
• Migration testing requirements
• Production control protocols
• Regular compliance testing
• Supply chain verification
• Documentation requirements
• Quality assurance systems

Where to get it?: Testing laboratories and independent certification bodies

The post A complete list of food certification logos: Requirements, standards, and sources [2025] appeared first on GoVisually.

This might seem simple on surface but when you go ahead with the process, many managers end up feeling overwhelmed. As we go deeper into the process, workflow becomes more complicated, each task has open ups a new subtask, which are further associated with multiple stakeholders from different departments.

Sounds a lot of work right? It is. But not if you follow our expertly curated  guide and then design the artwork approval process for yourself. This guide is built after conducting weeks of research and interviewing SMEs from the industry. 

So let’s find out how you can create an efficient artwork approval process that includes all the checks, regulatory, quality assurance, brand and yet saves you 50% of the time you currently spend.

What is an artwork approval process?

The artwork approval process is a structured, collaborative workflow designed to ensure that creative designs, such as product labels, packaging, or marketing materials, meet brand standards, regulatory requirements, and production specifications before finalization.

It is the most important step in the entire artwork creation process. It serves as a quality control mechanism where multiple stakeholders—including designers, marketers, legal teams, and compliance officers—review and validate the artwork at different stages. 

This process is carried out to ensure the artwork fitness as per brand guidelines and targeted audience as it

• Eliminates error
• Fosters transparency
• Aligns cross-functional teams
• Ensures consistent and high quality artworks
  

Why does artwork approval process matter?

The artwork approval process is the backbone of creating high-quality, consistent, and compliant designs for your products. It’s not just about making sure the packaging looks good—it’s about ensuring it works well in every sense: brand identity, compliance, and customer satisfaction. Here’s why it’s indispensable:

1. Reduces errors

The artwork approval process is a safety net that catches errors early on. Typos, incorrect claims, or regulatory oversights are identified and corrected before they reach production. This minimizes costly reworks and ensures flawless execution every time.

2. Establishes transparency

Transparency is critical in collaborative environments. The approval process creates clear, documented workflows where each stakeholder knows their role, responsibilities, and deadlines. It keeps everyone on the same page, reducing confusion and unnecessary back-and-forth.

3. Aligns cross-functional teams

From marketing and legal teams to compliance officers and product managers, the artwork approval process bridges departments. It ensures alignment on brand vision, messaging, and compliance, fostering a unified approach to product packaging and marketing.

4. Ensures consistent and high-quality artwork

Your packaging is the face of your brand. The approval process guarantees that every piece of artwork adheres to brand guidelines, maintains consistency across product lines, and meets the highest quality standards.

5. Meets regulatory and legal requirements

Regulations in the CPG industry are complex and vary across regions. The approval process ensures that packaging complies with local and international laws, protecting the company from fines, recalls, and reputational damage.

In short, an efficient artwork approval process is what separates successful product launches from costly mistakes. By streamlining this workflow, companies can deliver exceptional quality, stay compliant, and save significant time and resources.

What are the most recurring challenges in an artwork approval process and how to avoid them? (with SME insights)

We collected hundreds of inputs from SMEs to understand what are the most recurring challenges in an artwork approval process. 

And to our surprise, most of the experts mentioned with these 5 common challenges:

Managing feedback overload from multiple stakeholders

The artwork approval process often feels like a juggling act. Marketing teams want the visuals to align with branding and attract attention. Design teams are focused on creative execution. Legal teams ensure everything complies with regulations, and product teams look after technical details. While each team has equal importance in making the labels production-ready, aligning their feedback can quickly turn into chaos.

Chris Bajda, Managing Partner at Groomsday, mentions how a problem that looks minor on surface level can extend the approval cycle by 50%!!

These delays aren’t just frustrating; they can have serious business consequences. Product launches get pushed back, and opportunities to capture market demand slip away, directly impacting revenue and competitive positioning.

Strategies to overcome this challenge:

1. Centralize communication channels: A single source of truth like a dedicated approval platform ensures that feedback is logged in one place, with a clear record of inputs and updates. Tools such as GoVisually can streamline discussions by offering real-time commenting, file annotations, and notification features.

2. Define key decision-makers: In any artwork approval process, it’s important to establish clear ownership over decisions at each stage. This means identifying who has the authority to approve or veto changes and ensuring their roles are well-defined and communicated. When too many people weigh in without a hierarchy, feedback becomes chaotic, resulting in conflicting inputs and wasted time.

For example, during the design stage, the creative director might have the final say on visual elements, while in the compliance stage, a legal expert or regulatory officer should take ownership. Assigning roles in this manner ensures that the right expertise is applied at the right time and avoids unnecessary discussions that don’t lead to actionable outcomes. Approval software like GoVisually can formalize these roles by assigning permissions—certain users can comment, while only designated approvers can finalize decisions, keeping the process streamlined and efficient.

3. Set boundaries on review stages: Feedback stages should be pre-defined and structured to ensure a logical, sequential flow of reviews. This means breaking the approval process into clear, non-overlapping phases such as initial design, legal compliance, and final approval. This eliminates unnecessary backtracking.

Pro Insight: GoVisually’s structured review workflow, with built-in visual markup and real-time notifications, reduces redundant feedback loops by over 40%.

Scattered feedback and version control chaos

Lack of centralized feedback channels often turns the artwork approval process into a wild goose chase. Comments are scattered across endless email threads, messaging apps, and in-person meetings. 

This, plus confusion over which version of the artwork is the most current, leaves with lot of wasted time and frayed nerves.

Federico Spiezia, CEO of Sparkr, highlights how this impacts timelines:

Imagine version three getting approved by one team while another department revises version two. This mix-up not only slows progress but also increases the risk of errors slipping through. 

Strategies to overcome this challenge:

1. Adopt centralized storage: Use tools that maintain a single repository for artwork versions, such as Filestage or GoVisually. These platforms automatically store and organize all drafts, ensuring teams always access the most recent version while retaining historical records for reference.

2. Enable automated updates: Automate notifications to alert stakeholders when a new version is uploaded. This eliminates manual follow-ups and ensures everyone is aligned on the latest draft.

3. Create an approval trail: Document every step of the approval process, including who approved which version and when. This ensures transparency and accountability, while also providing a clear record for audits or future reference.

Unclear briefs and vague feedback slow down progress

Vague instructions like “Make it pop” or “This doesn’t feel right” leave designers guessing and lead to excessive revisions. Misaligned briefs also cause creative teams to spend time on iterations that don’t meet stakeholder expectations.

Aman Chopra, Marketing Manager at Stallion Express, shares how unclear briefs and feedback can derail timelines:

“In a recent project, delays caused by unclear briefs and scattered feedback extended our timeline by more than 20%.”

The problem isn’t just the delays—it’s how much effort gets wasted on revisions that could have been avoided with clearer direction. A solid, detailed brief sets the tone, ensuring all teams know what success looks like before work even begins.

Strategies to overcome this challenge:

1. Standardize briefing processes: Use detailed briefing templates that include all essential details—such as project objectives, target audience, design specifications, and compliance needs. This ensures that the creative team has a clear roadmap before starting work.

2. Structured feedback frameworks: Ask stakeholders to provide actionable, specific feedback. For example, instead of “Make it better,” feedback should specify, “Increase font size to 14pt for improved readability.” Templates can help standardize this approach, ensuring clarity across teams.

3. Kickoff alignment meetings: Before beginning the design process, hold a meeting to align on expectations and clarify any ambiguities. This step prevents confusion later in the workflow and reduces the need for revisions.

Tight deadlines force trade-offs between speed and quality

In industries where timing is everything—like FMCG, fashion, or seasonal products—tight deadlines often put creative teams in a tough spot. The pressure to meet launch dates can force decisions that compromise quality.

George Silagadze, Co-founder of Photo2Painting, explains this better:

Balancing deadlines and quality is tough. Tight schedules often force teams to prioritize speed over creativity, which can lead to costly rework later.

For example, an overlooked compliance issue or missed design detail can result in expensive reprints or last-minute changes, negating the benefits of rushing in the first place. And the time saved up front often gets lost fixing avoidable mistakes.

Strategies to overcome this challenge:

1. Plan early for compliance: Involving legal and regulatory teams during the earliest stages of the design process ensures that potential compliance issues are addressed before they become roadblocks. 

For example, if a product label requires specific disclaimers or legal symbols, having compliance officers review the initial drafts can save weeks of revisions down the line. Early involvement also prevents scenarios where design elements need to be scrapped entirely due to late-discovered legal concerns.

Actionable tip: Create a checklist of compliance requirements for each project based on regional and industry-specific regulations. Share this checklist with the design team upfront to streamline the workflow.

2. Use pre-approved templates: Starting with templates that are already aligned with brand guidelines and regulatory standards can significantly reduce the time spent on approvals. These templates serve as a foundation for creative work while ensuring that key elements like logos, fonts, and mandatory compliance details are consistent across all designs.

Actionable tip: Maintain a repository of pre-approved templates tailored to different use cases (e.g., product packaging, marketing materials). Regularly update these templates to reflect any changes in brand strategy or regulatory requirements.

3. Automate workflow tasks: Platforms such as GoVisually can automate recurring tasks, ensuring that no step in the process is missed. Automation tools can assign responsibilities, send reminders to team members for feedback or approvals, and provide a clear timeline for each task. This reduces the burden of manual follow-ups and keeps everyone aligned on project deadlines.

Actionable tip: Use automation features to create a timeline with dependencies. For example, legal reviews cannot begin until the marketing team approves the creative draft. Automated notifications ensure stakeholders act promptly when their input is required.

4. Involve stakeholders early: Getting input from all relevant teams at the outset of the process minimizes the likelihood of last-minute revisions that can derail timelines. For instance, engaging the marketing, compliance, and product teams during the brainstorming phase ensures alignment on key goals and reduces conflicting feedback during later stages.

Actionable tip: Schedule a kickoff meeting at the start of each project, where stakeholders can align on goals, expectations, and potential challenges. Use collaborative tools like GoVisually to make initial drafts accessible to all teams, enabling real-time collaboration.

Regulatory compliance adds layers of complexity

Regulatory compliance is an important yet complex component of the artwork approval process. Whether it’s ensuring that product labels include region-specific disclaimers, certifications, or legal symbols, missing even minor details can lead to significant consequences—ranging from product recalls to hefty fines. 

The challenge becomes even more daunting when dealing with global products that need to meet regulations across different regions. Each stakeholder—designers, marketers, and legal teams—needs to collaborate to avoid overlooking compliance requirements.

Strategies to overcome this challenge:

1. Incorporate automated compliance tools
Modern tools and platforms such as GoVisually, integrate compliance features that streamline the process. These tools flag potential issues early in the design phase, reducing the risk of errors being discovered later. For example, GoVisually can easily identify if a gluten product is missing “Gluten-free” claims in under 2 minutes.

Actionale Tip: Customize compliance settings in your approval platform to match the unique requirements of your product and target market. This ensures the process remains streamlined regardless of how many regions or regulations you need to consider. Check out how you can create customized regulatory playbooks based on your brand needs here. 

Find out how Govisually can reduce your artwork approval cycle from 2-6 weeks to just 2 minutes per artwork. 

2. Stay updated on regulations: Regulatory standards evolve frequently, and staying ahead of these changes is extremely important, and draining as well.

In industries like pharmaceuticals or food and beverages, packaging requirements often include region-specific health warnings or ingredient labels. Assigning a compliance lead ensures that changes—such as a new allergen declaration law—are incorporated into artwork before production.

Assigning a compliance officer or team member to track regulatory updates ensures your designs always align with the latest requirements. Regular training sessions or workshops for the creative and compliance teams can help reinforce awareness and keep everyone informed.

Practical Tip: Subscribe to regulatory update newsletters or use monitoring tools that alert you to changes relevant to your industry. Schedule quarterly reviews of your compliance checklist to ensure it’s up-to-date.

3. Integrate compliance into design workflows
Rather than treating compliance as an afterthought, embed it into the design process from the start. Collaboration between the design and legal teams during the initial stages helps identify potential roadblocks early, reducing the need for major revisions during later approval stages.

Practical Tip: Use shared project management tools like GoVisually or Asana to include compliance checkpoints in your workflow. Ensure that compliance reviews are tied to specific milestones, such as finalizing a design draft or preparing for production.

4. Maintain audit-ready documentation: In regulated industries, maintaining detailed records of compliance checks is not just a best practice—it’s often a legal requirement. An approval platform that provides version histories, annotated feedback, and audit trails ensures your team can demonstrate compliance at every stage of the process.

Actionable Tip: Use platforms like GoVisually to save time by automatically generating compliance reports. These can be shared with stakeholders or regulatory authorities as proof of adherence to guidelines.

How to build an efficient artwork approval process in 5 simple steps?

An efficient artwork approval process ensures faster project turnaround, eliminates costly errors, and fosters seamless collaboration across teams. While the task may seem daunting, breaking it down into actionable steps simplifies the process. Here’s a practical guide to building a streamlined approval workflow that saves time and enhances outcomes.

1. Upload artwork to a centralized management platform

Eliminating fragmented file-sharing methods like email threads or Slack messages is the first step to streamlining your approval process. These traditional methods often result in misplaced files, conflicting versions, and miscommunication that cause delays. Instead, centralize your files with an artwork management platform where everyone can access, review, and update designs in real time.

For example, using tools like GoVisually allows stakeholders to upload designs, track revisions, and maintain version histories. GoVisually further streamlines the process with its built-in multi-stage review workflow with different stages — Needs Review, Needs Changes, Approved, Finalized. This feature communicates transparently with stakeholders and informs them on project work progress, reducing back and forth update mails and building a trust among clients. 

2. Assign roles and responsibilities to streamline workflows

The artwork approval process involves multiple stakeholders, each contributing to different aspects of the project. Defining roles and responsibilities at the outset helps avoid confusion and ensures accountability. Clearly identify who provides feedback, who makes decisions, and who has final approval authority.

For instance, the creative team might oversee design aesthetics, marketing ensures alignment with branding, and legal confirms regulatory compliance. Using tools like Monday.com to map out workflows visually can help organize these roles and set expectations. This structured workflow prevents overlapping tasks and conflicting feedback, creating a smoother process for everyone involved.

3. Use a collaborative feedback system

Feedback is central to the approval process, but disorganized input from scattered channels can lead to frustration and inefficiency. To ensure that feedback is constructive and actionable, use a collaborative feedback system that centralizes all comments and discussions.

Platforms like GoVisually provide a collaborative environment where reviewers can add comments directly to specific parts of the design.

For example, instead of vague remarks like “Make this stand out,” reviewers can highlight areas on the artwork and specify changes such as “Increase the font size to 14pt for better readability.”  This clarity reduces guesswork for designers, speeding up revisions and ensuring alignment across teams.

4. Track progress and maintain version control

In a multi-stakeholder process, keeping track of the latest version of artwork can become chaotic. Without proper version control, teams risk working on outdated drafts, resulting in wasted time and effort. To avoid this, adopt a system that automatically archives and tracks versions while providing a clear approval trail.

For instance, when using a platform like GoVisually, reviewers can compare side-by-side versions of artwork to identify changes and confirm updates.

Notifications alert team members when a new version is available, ensuring everyone is aligned. Additionally, approval logs show who signed off on which version, maintaining transparency and accountability throughout the process.

5. Automate follow-ups and final approvals

Delays often occur at the final approval stage due to missed follow-ups or unclear communication. Automation tools can eliminate these bottlenecks by sending reminders to stakeholders when their input or approval is required. Automated workflows can also move projects to the next stage once approvals are completed.

For example, Trello’s automation features allow teams to set conditional triggers, such as notifying the legal team when the marketing review is complete. Similarly, platforms like GoVisually provide real-time dashboards that highlight pending approvals, enabling project managers to address bottlenecks promptly. Once all approvals are secured, the artwork is prepared for production without unnecessary delays.

Integrate GoVisually in your artwork approval process and cut down 70% manual tasks.

The question isn’t whether you have an artwork approval process, but whether it’s optimized to save time, eliminate errors, and reduce back and forth. An outdated system with scattered feedback, unclear roles, and repeated bottlenecks can cost more than just time—it can hurt your brand’s reputation and delay product launches.

But if you integrate an artwork approval management software like GoVisually into your approval process, you can eliminate 70% of manual tasks, centralize communication, and maintain control over every version and comment. From role-based workflows to real-time collaboration and automated updates, our tool is designed to help out creative team like yours.

Book a demo here and let our experts help you out!

The post How to design an efficient artwork approval process in 5 simple steps? appeared first on GoVisually.

We get it. Business to business. It’s hard to find the right tool to tick all the boxes in your checklist. Because it’s obvious that the right compliance tool can completely change the way you approach your label compliance process and boost your business’s efficiency and regulatory success.

Both tools promise to streamline your label compliance process, but they serve different needs and deliver different results. GoVisually AI positions itself as an advanced, all-in-one compliance solution for growing brands, while ComplyAI focuses on providing basic compliance checking capabilities for operating more simply.

So let’s break down exactly how these platforms differ in features, market coverage, and ROI to help you make the right choice for your brand needs.

GoVisually’s AI vs. ComplyAI head-to-head feature comparison!

How each tool differs from each other so you can find the right one? (Detailed feature comparison)

In this section we’re going to compare and evaluate the features of both the tools to find out the best one for your business needs.

1. GoVisually AI advances at in-depth label verification, while ComplyAI focuses on basic compliance

When it comes to label verification, both platforms take a completely different approach. With ComplyAI, you can simply scan your labels for basic compliance elements and review potential issues with its easy-to-use interface. The platform is particularly good at catching obvious text-based compliance problems and works well for brands with “basic” labeling needs.

However, GoVisually A, takes label verification to a whole another level. From the moment you upload your artwork, the platform starts performing instant regulatory checks that goes much beyond basic text scanning or spell checks. Think of it as having a team of compliance experts working at AI speed—it checks your labels for regulatory requirements, technical specifications, and brand standards all at once.

For example, when verifying a food product label, ComplyAI will check for required elements and formatting issues. GoVisually AI does this too, but then also analyzes:

• Complete ingredient list compliance
• Allergen declarations and cross-contamination statements
• Nutrition panel formatting and calculations
• Claims validation against regulatory databases
• Barcode and QR code functionality
• Technical specifications
• Cross-border compliance requirements

VERDICT: While ComplyAI handles basic compliance needs competently, GoVisually AI is clearly built for brands with more complex labeling requirements. If you’re dealing with multiple product lines, multi-markets, or frequent regulatory updates, GoVisually AI’s comprehensive approach should be your tool.

2. ComplyAI offers flexible checks, but GoVisually AI provides fully customizable AI playbooks

This is where the platforms really start to diverge in their capabilities. ComplyAI’s flexible compliance checks allow you to create basic rulesets for different product categories and run custom verifications. It’s a bit like having a checklist that you can modify – helpful for maintaining consistency, but limited in scope.

With GoVisually AI’s, you can customize the entire AI playbooks. From the regulatory body and keywords and phrases  included/excluded, anything can be customized based on your brand demands. It’s something similar to having an intelligent system that not only remembers your compliance requirements but actively adapts to changes in regulations and your specific needs to

• Build product-specific compliance rulebooks
• Create custom requirements for different markets
• Set up evolving standards for claims and languages
• Update regulatory requirements in real-time
• Configure automatic issue flagging based on risk levels

What’s really impressive is how these playbooks learn and adapt. When regulations change or new requirements emerge, you can update your playbooks once, and the system automatically applies these changes across all future label reviews. Companies using these playbooks report cutting their compliance issues by 75% – that’s huge when you consider the cost of recalls and regulatory issues.

VERDICT:  ComplyAI’s flexible checking system works for basic compliance needs, but GoVisually AI’s intelligent playbooks are in a different league entirely. So if you’re looking for a system that thoroughly scans your labels to verify and validate each element for compliance based on your brand’s niche, market and region, GoVisually’s AI would work the best for you.

3. GoVisually AI provides extensive regulatory support across multiple markets

Now, let’s talk about regulatory support. ComplyAI comes with a solid foundation of regulatory requirements and lets you run flexible compliance checks against major market standards. Comply AI only targets two major markets including FDA (USA) and FSSAI (India).

However, if you have more market diverse needs, you should work with GoVisually. It serves some of the major markets worldwide—FDA (USA), FSA (UK), CFIA (Canda).It also offers a comprehensive regulatory database and automatic update system. It’s like having a regulatory affairs team working 24/7 to keep your labels compliant.

Additionally, GoVisually also covers some of the most demanding regulatory compliance checks for the following food & drugs categories:

• Organic Gluten Free Label Playbook for all
• Non-GMO Project Verification
• CBD Food Products Compliance (US)

These specialized certifications are particularly valuable because they often involve complex requirements that change by market. GoVisually’s system ensures you’re meeting both the basic regulatory requirements and these additional certification standards in one seamless process.

VERDICT: For companies operating solely in the US and India markets, ComplyAI provides adequate support. But if you need broader market coverage or deal with specialized product categories like organic, non-GMO, or CBD products, GoVisually AI is clearly the better choice. Its combination of multi-market support and specialized certification compliance makes it the more robust solution for complex labeling requirements.

4. Text compliance: GoVisually AI’s comprehensive approach vs ComplyAI’s basic checks

Both platforms handle text compliance, but they approach it quite differently. ComplyAI’s text verification system offers a methodical approach to compliance checking through its “read between the lines” feature. The platform provides:

• Line-by-line text analysis with basic error flagging
• Automated scanning for common compliance phrases
• A library of standard warning statements
• Formatting validation for required elements
• Basic spell-checking capabilities
• Template-based text verification for common label types

While these features work well for standardized labels, ComplyAI’s approach has limitations. For instance, if you’re working with multiple product variations or need to verify complex claims, you’ll need to run separate checks for each variation. The system also requires manual intervention to verify context-specific requirements.

GoVisually AI takes text compliance to another level with advanced features like exact phrase match verification, required and restricted keywords, address verification, and more. Here’s what that means in practice: instead of just checking for keywords, the system understands context and regulatory intent. When analyzing a supplement label, for example, it will:

• Cross-reference claims against approved regulatory databases
• Verify that nutrient content claims match the nutrition panel
• Ensure warning statements meet specific formatting requirements
• Validate technical specifications
• Check for proper allergen declarations
• Verify language requirements for multiple markets

The difference is like having a basic spell-checker versus a full-fledged editor who understands grammar, context, and style. While ComplyAI will catch obvious issues, GoVisually AI helps you perfect every aspect of your label text.

VERDICT: ComplyAI’s text verification works fine for basic compliance checking, but GoVisually AI’s context-aware system offers significantly more value. For brands that need to ensure their labels are not just compliant but optimized for multiple markets and regulatory frameworks, GoVisually AI’s comprehensive approach to text compliance is the clear winner.

5. Results and reporting: Detailed insights from GoVisually AI vs standard reports from ComplyAI

ComplyAI provides clean, straightforward reports that highlight compliance issues and track basic metrics. Their reporting system is particularly good at identifying repeated issues and providing simple progress tracking.

It’s reporting offers the following insight:

• Detailed results: Shows brand, regulatory, and marketing compliance at a granular level
• Sectional Results view: Displays pass/fail metrics with detailed breakdowns
• Error highlighting: Identifies and displays the nature of errors for quick review
• Basic compliance scoring: Shows failed vs passed checks (e.g., “1 FAILED, 0 PASSED”)
• Text check functionality: Identifies styling, font, and case matching errors
• Results summary: Provides quick overview of specific checks (like barcode verification)

Their system is particularly good at identifying repeated issues and providing simple progress tracking through their “Review files” feature, which highlights errors for quick viewing.

GoVisually AI, on the other hand, takes a more dynamic and contextual approach to results presentation. Instead of providing “documents” in the name of reportin the platform provides:

• Smart suggestions in highlighted boxes for each element
• Regulatory context for findings (like the “21 CFR 101 food labeling regulations” reference)
• Product classification guidance
• Real-time compliance scoring
• Action-oriented recommendations

For example, when reviewing a food product label, GoVisually AI doesn’t just flag an issue – it explains why it’s an issue and suggests the correct regulatory framework to apply. This contextual guidance helps teams not just fix problems but understand and prevent them in the future.

VERDICT: ComplyAI’s structured reporting works well for basic compliance documentation, whereas GoVisually AI’s smart suggestions turn compliance reporting into a strategic tool for optimizing labels faster and more efficiently. So the final verdict depends on your needs now.

GoVisually AI offers better ROI with its all-inclusive features, while ComplyAI suits basic compliance needs

After a detailed analysis of both platforms, the ROI differences become clear. ComplyAI provides a competent foundation for basic label compliance, offering essential features like text verification, basic error flagging, and straightforward reporting. It’s a suitable choice for brands with simple labeling needs and those operating primarily in the US and India markets.

However, GoVisually AI demonstrates superior ROI through more concrete, measurable outcomes:

• Reduces review time from 1-6 weeks per label to just minutes
• Accelerates time to market by 50%
• Eliminates the typical 1-2% human error rate in compliance verification
• Cuts label review process time by 75%

GoVisually also serves a more diverse market worldwide including— UK, US, and Canada.

Additionally, you can also integrate GoVisually with 3000+ apps through Zapier, offering customizable AI playbooks, and providing real-time regulatory updates, transforming label compliance from a time-consuming bottleneck into a streamlined, strategic process.

So if you’re a brand owner in CPG industry who want to

• Scale their business across multiple markets without drowning in compliance paperwork
• Eliminate costly recalls and compliance-related delays
• Stop spending weeks on manual label reviews that could be done in minutes
• Reduce the risk of expensive compliance violations and litigation
• Keep up with constantly changing regulations without expanding your team
• Launch products faster while maintaining perfect compliance

Then GoVisually should be your tool. Sign up now!

The post GoVisually AI vs. ComplyAI: Which label compliance tool you should go for in 2025? appeared first on GoVisually.

And these are just a few (latest) examples we have picked here, but if you check this Drug Office’s latest report, you will find hundreds of products are recalled every month. Why? Labeling errors— “hidden ingredients”, “undeclared ingredients”, “undeclared allergens”, etc.

“A total of 2470 food recalls and alerts linked to labelling errors were identified. Undeclared allergens were identified as the most common type of recall.” Science Direct’s latest article. 

The consequences of labeling errors at the best is just financial losses, and at worst it can lead to consumer death, lawsuits, public backlash, and eventually bankruptcy. So if you want to be 100% assured of labels’ accuracy, we suggest deploying AI with your manual reviews. Read on to learn how AI makes the label review process a breeze.

From 6 weeks to 2 minutes: How Manual vs. AI label reviews differ?

As you can guess from the heading this section compares how we can bring down the label review cycle from 6 weeks/label to just 2 minutes/label. If you think it’s a clickbait, read on and find out how GoVisually made this possible. 

Now, let’s cover these

• Manual vs. AI head-to-head comparison
• What are the bottlenecks of the manual review process? And AI can help you overcome it.

Traditional manual vs. AI label review process at a glance.

What’s wrong with your manual review process? Its bottlenecks. 

You might think you’re producing 100% compliant labels through weeks of review process, but that’s not true. Spending excessive time on a single label doesn’t ensure accuracy, in contrast, it leads to more risk of non-compliance. Don’t understand how? Let’s break it down for you below.

1. Back and forth review cycle

Your email-based review process looks organized at first glance. You have a system where stakeholders share feedback via email chains, track changes in documents, and maintain communication logs. But if you look at the real data, you’ll realise this approach only adds up to the chaos in the existing review cycle.

According to a recent Harvard Business Review study, employees spend an average of 28% of their workweek managing emails. In label compliance, this percentage can be even higher. When multiple stakeholders are involved in email threads, important feedback gets buried, version confusion occurs frequently, and important compliance details are overlooked.

2. Manual checklist verification

Your compliance team carefully works through detailed checklists for each label component —ingredient lists, nutritional information, allergen warnings, and regulatory claims. 

This seems thorough and accurate then what’s wrong with that? Well, this “thorough” checklist repetitive process often leads to reviewer fatigue and human errors, especially when dealing with multiple SKUs or product variations. 

When compliance officers spend hours reviewing detailed requirements like font sizes, mandatory declarations, and warning statements, their attention to detail naturally diminishes. This is particularly problematic for complex labels with multiple panels or those requiring verification against multiple regulatory frameworks.

Additionally, manual checklists also struggle to keep up with changing regulations. By the time teams update and distribute new verification criteria, additional requirements may have been introduced, creating risks when launching products across markets with different regulatory standards. 

3. Multi-Department Reviews

Your multi-department label reviews are thorough. Agreed.

You’ve involved each department here—legal, compliance, marketing, design— to check labels sequentially. But, this process often leads to bottlenecks, with labels sitting in queues for days or weeks at each stage, with so many stakeholders involved. 

In my research, I came across this blog by McKinsey that explained involvement of multiple stakeholders increases the chances of product failure, especially in the CPG industry. More like the Chinese whisper effect, by the time it reaches the last stakeholder, the original intent or critical details of the label can get lost, misunderstood, or misaligned with the product’s actual requirements.

This not only delays time-to-market but also increases the risk of errors slipping through, such as non-compliance with regulatory standards or misrepresentation in marketing claims.

4. Quality Control and Documentation 

Your quality control team maintains documentation of label reviews through multiple stages – from initial drafts to final approvals. This system is designed to prevent errors but FDA’s 20-year recall data tells a different story.

Of all F&B recalls, a significant portion stems from labeling and allergen-related issues, particularly undeclared allergens. This suggests that even with detailed documentation processes, important label elements are still being missed.

The issue isn’t just about keeping records – it’s about how effectively teams can catch and prevent labeling errors before products reach the market.

5. Version management

Tracking changes across multiple versions becomes complex with manual systems. Teams often struggle with identifying the latest version, leading to confusion and potential use of outdated content. It can be challenging to maintain a clear audit trail and ensure all required label elements are properly verified from traditional documentation systems that include emails, spreadsheets, and physical files.

6 ways AI-powered label review can solve traditional compliance challenges

Now, let’s compare how AI can help you overcome these challenges and make your label review process even more sufficient. Let’s break down its offerings and features below.

1. Instant regulatory compliance check

Rather than spending weeks on manual verification, GoVisually’s AI scans labels in minutes against current industry regulations. It is compatible with most demanding regulatory bodies like;

• Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for US 
• Food Standard Agency (FSA)for UK
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) 

And among other emerging regulatory frameworks—Non-GMO Food Verification, Gluten-Free, CBD Food Products. GoVisually’s AI label review tool conducts a thorough check for most of the elements present on the label and ensures 99.7% accuracy while reducing review time by 90%.

2. Automated error detection

The AI-powered label review suite of GoVisually can easily catch compliance issues, missing elements, and inconsistencies under 2 minutes (or even less). Unlike human reviewers who might miss details after hours of review, our AI maintains consistent accuracy across thousands of labels.

Here’s the most basic checklist followed by our AI-powered

• Principal Display Panel (PDP): Reviews product name and net weight.
• Information Panel: Checks manufacturer details, ingredient list (with improvement suggestions), nutritional facts (calories, nutrients), and flags mismatched nutrient claims (e.g., flags “No Added Sugar” if sugar is listed).
• Allergen Detection: Identifies “Contains” statements, fish allergen declarations, and hidden allergens.
• Additional Label Details: Reviews storage instructions, organic and health claims, and barcode accuracy.
• Overall Summary: Provides a consolidated review of all elements

3. Real-time collaboration Instead of sequential reviews taking weeks, our AI enables simultaneous collaboration across all stakeholders in one unified platform. The system routes, tracks, and manages feedback automatically while maintaining a complete audit trail. Here are the features offered by our collaboration system:

• Simultaneous Multi-User Access: Multiple stakeholders can review and comment on the same label simultaneously, with changes visible in real-time
• Smart routing system: Automatically identifies and notifies relevant stakeholders based on label type and compliance requirements
• Visual annotation tools: Mark up specific label areas with comments, measurements, and suggested changes directly on the artwork
• @mention system: Tag specific team members for urgent feedback or approvals
• Progress tracking: Real-time dashboard showing review status, pending approvals, and approved design work
• Automated notifications: Instant alerts for new comments, required approvals, or upcoming deadlines

4. Smart version control: Now you can eliminate version confusion with our AI-powered version management system that maintains a complete history of every label change. The platform ensures all stakeholders always work on the latest version while keeping a detailed audit trail. Let’s see how you can use this feature in your label review system:

• Automated version tracking: Each edit automatically creates a new version with timestamp and editor details
• Change comparison: Side-by-side view of different versions highlighting specific changes made
• Archive unused versions: Access complete label history with all versions, changes, and approvals by simply archiving them

5. Multi-faceted compliance checks: Our AI tool comprehensively reviews your labels to scan and validate 50+ elements on it. Here’s everything included:

• Spell check verification
• Nutrition facts panel verification
• Font size compliance
• Strorage instruction verification
• Information panel scrutiny
• Restricted and required keyword verification
• Claim verification

6. Customizable playbooks: GoVisually’s AI allows you to create tailored compliance playbooks that adapt to your specific business needs. Here’s what the customizable playbooks feature offers:

• Product-specific rulebooks: Create unique compliance rules and checks for different product lines, each with their own regulatory requirements
• Regional compliance: Set up dedicated playbooks for different export markets to ensure labels meet the specific requirements of each region’s regulatory bodies.
• Real-time updates: Easily modify and update playbooks as regulations change or new requirements emerge
• Scalable framework: The system grows with your company’s needs, handling diverse product portfolios and expanding market requirements

On average, companies using custom playbooks report a 75% reduction in label-specific compliance issues and a 50% faster time-to-market for new products or market expansions.

Manual vs. AI Cost Analysis: Breaking down the real cost of label review process

Let’s breakdown and compare the real numbers behind each label review system— in-house, agencies, and AI. Here we will compare GoVisually’s label review AI tool with in-house and agency services to figure out

• which is the best approach to review labels?
• what are the services offered by each approach?
• what’s the ROI of each approach?

In-house vs. AI: Breaking down the real investment numbers

Let’s breakdown the average cost of 100 labels reviewed manually vs. AI to compare how much would you spend on label review process if done traditionally, with in-house teams vs. using GoVisually’s AI. 

Label Review Agency vs GoVisually’s AI Cost Analysis

Again, what if you skip in-house review and outsource the review services? Would you save more money than manual in-house teams or spend even more? Let’s find out below.

Hidden costs of manual review processes you can’t ignore

So far, we have compared direct costs of manual label review processes, but indirect expenses can have an equally significant impact on your business’ profitability and efficiency. The hidden costs can add up to substantial losses over and above the basic operating expenses, let’s see what are some hidden costs of manual review processes and how much your business is loosing over it. 

Calculating the ROI on govisually’s AI vs. In-house team vs. Label review agency.

What does GoVisually’s AI really save you?

Now you have a clear comparison of GoVisually’s AI vs. in-house review vs. label review agency cost analysis. So let’s see how much do you actually save using GoVisually’s AI label review software here.

Monthly Investment Comparison (100 labels)

• Service provider cost: $39,500-$169,500
• In-house cost: $53,313
• GoVisually pro plan ($33/user × 3 users minimum): $99/month

Annual Cost Comparison

• Service provider: $474,000-$2,034,000
• In-house team: $639,756
• GoVisually’s AI: $1,188

Savings with GoVisually’s AI

• vs label review agency: Save up to 99.9% ($472,812-$2,032,812/year)
• vs in-house: Save up to 99.8% ($638,568/year)

Let’s calculate GoVisually’s AI ROI beyond numbers:

• Accuracy: 99.9% vs 90-97% with traditional methods
• Freedom: Review unlimited labels without extra costs
• Market Advantage: Launch products 3x faster than competitors, from weeks to minutes per label
• Risk Mitigation: 99.9% accuracy means no more recalls, another $10M saved!
• Scalability: Handle 10x more labels without 10x more staff
• Future-proofing: Automatic updates for new regulations

In short, for about $99/month, you get better results than solutions costing hundreds of thousands. That’s like paying for a coffee and getting a feast.

Ready to make AI shift in your label review process?

Stop losing millions to manual errors and delayed launches – switch to GoVisually AI today to validate labels in minutes, not weeks, and join forward-thinking brands who’ve already shifted their compliance process and saved a lot beyond dollars.

Start with our free Label Scorecard to instantly assess your FDA compliance and see how AI can transform your review process before making the switch. Experience 80% time and cost reduction in your label review process, just like our other happy customers.

The post AI vs. Manual Label Review: Slash down 80% review cost with GoVisually’s AI appeared first on GoVisually.

Mattel, a toy company with decades of packaging experience and presumably multiple review cycles, pulls thousands of dolls right before the holiday season. The cause? A packaging copy error that could have been caught in minutes.

Another example, Costco recalls 80,000 pounds of butter. Reason? Two missing words on its label: “contains milk.”

These aren’t small players making rookie mistakes. These are industry leaders with established processes, dedicated teams, and substantial resources. Yet here they are, facing recalls worth millions of dollars over errors that take minutes to spot with the right tools like GoVisually’s AI. 

Let that sink in.

If companies with multi-million dollar budgets, thousands of dedicated staff, and access to the best industry experts can overlook these details, how confident are you in your last label review cycle? 

Let’s break down this issue to understand why these mistakes occur and how they can be prevented (WITH PROVEN EXAMPLES).

Breaking down the numbers: Product recall stats & data in 2024

Let’s look at what recent data tells us about recall trends across industries.

Overall recall stats and data CPG owners should know.

• 3,301 recall events across industries in 2023, marking a five-year high
• 759.36 million units recalled across all industries
• Consumer products hit seven-year high with 135.23 million units impacted
• 322 consumer product recalls – highest in past decade
• FDA reports show labeling errors account for 42-90% of food recalls

“Undeclared Allergens” causes 50% of recalls.

Costco is not the only company facing recalls due to “undeclared allergen”, in fact if you look at the recent Sedgwick’s Report—State of the Nation 2024 Recall Index, you’ll see almost 50% of food and drink product recalls were called out due to “undeclared allergen”.

Your brand is one recall away from going bankrupt; says Reports

One recall can drain millions from your bottom line. According to the same report, the average direct cost of a recall hits $10 million – and that’s just the beginning. For larger brands, these costs can escalate significantly higher.Direct costs typically include:

• Notification to regulatory bodies, supply chain, and consumers
• Product retrieval (reverse logistics)
• Storage and destruction of recalled products
• Labor costs for recall activities and root cause investigation

And these are just the direct costs. Other long-term, indirect costs for damaged brand reputation, lost sales, post-incident governmental oversight, etc. can suck up to months of efforts and revenue in just one recall.  These mounting costs can be easily lead to bankruptcy for brands especially, small cap companies,

How do product recalls truly impact brands? (Expert inputs)

Product recalls don’t just hit your bottom line – they trigger a chain reaction across your business. First it starts with immediate impacts which are financial loss, PR nightmare, consumer backlash etc. 

These immediate impacts lead to a chain reaction of losses in the organization, leading to long-term damages like dropped market share, lost retail partnerships, compromised customer loyalty, etc. 

Let’s take the example of Costco to understand how this recall would’ve impacted Costco:

Immediate financial impact of recall

Let’s look at the numbers

• Direct recall costs: Estimated $10M (industry average)
• 80,000 pounds of butter wasted
• Emergency logistics for:
  • Removing products from multiple stores
  • Managing returns across different states
  • Paying extra for last-minute shipping during busy season

Loss of holiday sales

With over 134 million cardholders, using Costco butter for holiday baking has become a tradition for many, and this recall led to

• Loss of sales during prime butter consumption period
• Empty shelf space during peak demand
• Forced customers to buy competitor brands for holiday recipes
• Higher replacement costs during seasonal demand

Operational disruption

Here’s what happens to operations when a recall hits during holiday season

• Holiday inventory planning is disrupted
• Warehouse space is tied up with recalled butter
• Staff members are pulled from holiday duties to handle recall
• Extra work during already-busy season 
• It also mount up additional operational costs for:
  • Reprinting of compliant labels
  • Repackaging of new butter stock
  • Reshipping to multiple store locations
  • Redistributing during peak delivery season
  • Retraining staff on new compliance protocols

Brand trust

According to the Food Safety Magazine, 

• 55% of consumers would switch brands temporarily following a recall
• 15% would never purchase the recalled product again
• 21% would avoid any brand made by the manufacturer of the recalled product

It took 40+ years for Costco to build brand trust among consumers, and only one recall to crash it all! All those decades of experience, yet they made a small labeling error that put a lot of things at stake— four decades of carefully built consumer trust, consumer loyalty, and their competitive edge. How? Check it out in the next section.

Why do these mistakes happen?

Yes, why do these mistakes happen? Despite strict regulatory bodies, access to best industry experts for label review, extensive label review processes, why do the recalls reach a new high every year?

According to Risk & Insurance, the number of product recalls in 2024 will reach a six-year high. Over 2,450 recalls will affect 580M+ units in the first nine months of 2024.

But again, why does that happen?

Is it a lack of expert teams? Or a proper review process? 

No, it’s the lack of integration of technology. 

Many industry reports clearly show that each label carries at least 1-3% human errors during manual reviews. You spend 2-6 weeks on each label reviewing and refining it and  still it doesn’t assure you with 100% compliant labels.

That’s why we recommend using GoVisually’s AI-powered label compliance tool. Let’s see how it can provide you 99.99% compliant labels.

• Save weeks of review time: Brings down your 2-6 week review cycle to a few minutes process, with one-click analysis. 
• Never miss a regulation update: Protects your brand with 99.99% compliance accuracy across FDA, UK, and CFIA regulations through automatic, real-time checks.
• Eliminate costly labeling errors: Prevents recalls with 99.9% accurate verification of claims, keywords, and declarations – catching issues before they become expensive mistakes.
• Adapt to any market requirement: Launch products 50% faster and reduce compliance issues by 75% with custom playbooks tailored to your specific markets and product lines.
• Catch every compliance detail: Sleep easier knowing every aspect of your label – from spelling to allergens, nutrition facts to barcodes – is automatically verified in one comprehensive review.
• Stop issues before they start: Identify potential problems 200% faster than manual reviews and reduce revision cycles by 60% with AI-powered suggestions and early warning systems.
• Keep your team in sync: Cut communication delays by 70% and eliminate version confusion with a centralized platform that keeps everyone on the same page.

For more details on GoVisually’s AI, read our label compliance guide and understand how it helps CPG brands create recall-proof labels.

How Mattel & Costco could’ve saved millions of dollars in just 5 minutes?

Okay, hypothetically, what if Mattel and Costco had GoVisually’s AI integrated in their label review process? Let’s see how it could’ve altered the consequences for both of them.

How Mattel could’ve saved the holiday criss?

Let’s start by understanding: what went wrong?

Source: X’s tweet

A single misprint URL on thousands of doll packages forced Mattel to pull their entire ‘Wicked’ collection right before the holiday season. While URL verification is a mandatory part of standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in packaging compliance, this oversight in manual review led to linking a children’s toy to an adult website instead of the official movie page. Mistakes like these highlight how traditional review processes can fail during high-pressure launch periods.

This recall not only dropped the sales, but also created a lot of backlash for the movie “Wicked”. Mattel produced these dolls in collaboration with Universal Pictures for promoting their latest movie called “Wicked”

Now, let’s see how this backlash could have been prevented, if Mattel had used GoVisually’s AI.

GoVisually’s AI runs labels under multiple factors to detect errors in spellings, mismatch phrases, etc.

Website Address Checker

• Instantly flags incorrect URLs against approved domains
• Verifies exact match with “www.wickedmovie.com“
• Prevents unapproved web addresses from passing review
• Shows clear warnings for non-matching URLs

Version Control 

• Ensures consistent URL across all package versions
• Maintains single source of truth for approved links
• Prevents outdated versions from reaching production

Similarly, let’s see how Costco could have prevented the 80,000-pound butter recall!

Starting with, what went wrong?: Costco recently recalled 79,200 salted and unsalted Kirkland Signature butter due to an undeclared “contains milk” tag in the label. With dairy-free butter alternatives becoming increasingly common in the market, this missing declaration could mislead consumers with dairy allergies into believing it was safe for consumption —potentially leading to serious reactions.

The stakes are even higher, considering 2-6% of the global population have milk allergies (Food and Agriculture Organization data). That’s why even for obvious dairy products like butter, milk labeling is non-negotiable under FALCPA’s (Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act) “Big 8” allergens list. 

Let’s see how it Costco could’ve saved millions of dollars and of course, 80,000 pounds of butter, if they had used GoVisually’s AI:GoVisually offers a comprehensive label review suite with features like allergen detection, compliance verification, ingredient analysis, etc. Read on to learn how these features work to reduce label review cycle from 6 weeks to 5 minutes!

Allergen declaration verification

• Automatically checks for required allergen statements
• Cross-references ingredients with required declarations
• Ensures FDA compliance for common allergens
• Flags missing mandatory declarations instantly

Smart ingredient analysis

• Identifies “cream” as milk-derived ingredient
• Triggers automatic allergen declaration requirements
• Ensures consistency between ingredients and allergen statements

FDA Compliance Verification

• Instant checks against FDA allergen databases
• Coverage of major and minor allergens
• Real-time regulatory requirement updates 

This could have ensured compliance with FDA’s mandatory allergen labeling requirements before production.

Label Claim Validation

• Automatic cross-checking of ingredients vs. declarations
• Detection of missing allergen statements

Overall, if Costco had used GoVisaully’s AI, the tool would have identified the disconnect between ingredients and allergen declarations, and prevented the issue across all 80,000 pounds of affected product.

Want to create 99.99% recall-proof labels? Experts recommend using GoVisually’s AI-powered label review tool

Automate your label review cycle, and get results like

• Reduced review time from 1-6 weeks per label to minutes
• Minimized compliance risks through automated checks
• Increased efficiency by up to 90% compared to manual processes
• Reduced monthly label review cost

Sign up for GoVisually AI-powered review software. Using GoVisually and some expert guidance, you’ll be able to create 100% recall-proof labels that protect your brand and bottom line.

Start with our free Label Scorecard tool (with limited features and guidance)—a unique platform to see how well your labels comply with existing FDA and other regulatory standards. 

The post How Costco & Mattel could’ve saved million-dollar recalls in less than 60 seconds? appeared first on GoVisually.

A better way exists, and it is called … an online proofing tool

Online proofing platforms like GoVisually and ReviewStudio have become essential allies for creatives and project managers looking to streamline the design approval process. Each promises a smoother path from concept to completion. 

But which tool really delivers when it’s crunch time? Let’s dig into the specifics to see which of these two is the best fit for your workflow.

GoVisually VS. ReviewStudio: At a Glance

At first glance, you’ll find that both GoVisually and ReviewStudio are positioned as online proofing software that removes the friction from collaboration and feedback on the review and approval process for creative teams. However, the differences run much deeper.

GoVisually: A minimalist proofing software that’s super-easy to start with

Although online proofing is at the core of GoVisually, its feature set extends much beyond. GoVisually can be set up to be used for a whole lot of workflows–from label compliance checking and ad campaign optimization to video reviews and client feedback consolidation.

It cuts down revision times by a significant margin, lets you provide clear, visual feedback, and allows for deep, real-time collaboration on creative projects. 

And just because there are a lot of features, it doesn’t mean that you’ll be buried in documents, menus, and projects. GoVisually organizes all your projects, reviews, and approvals in one place. 

This frees teams from the shackles of endless email threads, confusing version histories, or vague directions.

Key features:

• Centralized feedback hub: Gather and organize all feedback from emails, chats, etc., along with comments and revisions for easier tracking and change implementation
• Powerful version control: Manage multiple revisions and compare changes among them effortlessly
• Simplified approvals: Eliminate confusing feedback loop and optimize approval processes with one-click approvals and custom approval checklists
• PDF annotation: Review PDF files collaboratively with clients and reviewers with easy markup, @mention tagging, precise version control, guest commenting, and more
• Extensive integrations: Integrate over 3,000 applications by connecting GoVisually to Zapier and automate feedback, version history, feedback, and much more
• Project cloning: Clone complete project structures easily and selectively migrate sections, reviewers, and checklists 

ReviewStudio: A strong online proofing software that’s slightly more complex

ReviewStudio is an online proofing platform that organizes and streamlines proofing, review and approval processes. 

One of its biggest focuses is simplifying creative collaborations—closing endless feedback cycles, and eliminating vague feedback, and messy approvals.

Review Studio is built with professionals in mind who are directly a part of the creative process; we’re talking about video production studios, designers, ad agencies, photographers, architects, and the like. However, even regular industries and firms would benefit from its online proofing features.

You get your usual suite of annotation, commenting, and markup tools, along with contextualized feedback, consolidated versioning, and more.

Key features:

• Task management: Track, assign, and manage tasks with contextual revisions, visual cues, and filters to filter task status and open task tracking
• Feedback management: Collaborate in real-time on feedback, turn feedback comments into tasks, and host synced review sessions with Live Feedback
• Robust dashboard: Get a bird’s eye view of all reviews, pending tasks, comments, pending approvals, workflow stages and more, with user-specific visibility
• Approval automations: Use rule-based stages for automated approval routing, or create custom workflow templates to set the stages, approvers, deadlines, and notification messages

Key Feature Comparison: GoVisually vs Review Studio

1. User Interface and Ease of Use

GoVisually provides a simpler user interface whereas Review Studio may present a slightly steeper learning curve

• GoVisually brings a clean and intuitive interface. There’s no visual clutter, menus are organized, and things are where they’re supposed to be.
• It makes frequent actions like uploading files, adding notes, and sharing projects easy with its drag-and-drop functionality
• GoVisually reduces the number of steps needed for the clients to see their proofs. The platform sends a link to the project to the client without them even needing to sign up.

• It comes with real-time previews—you can instantly visualize changes and feedback for iterative improvements and quick assessments. Plus, you can invite unlimited people to a project (inviting is as easy as just sharing a link).
• The platform is easy to use with little to no learning curve. Even beginners and small teams are able to get the most out of the platform without any training.

Review Studio has more features which makes it intimidating for novices and non-tech teams

• ReviewStudio has a longer feature list with more complex-looking UI.
• ReviewStudio may present a steeper learning curve for new users. The longer feature set creates a barrier, and newbies may need more time to navigate and understand its many tools and menus.
• While the platform offers customization options for review settings, access levels, and permissions, configuring these becomes a time sink. Teams may find themselves spending more time setting up projects than actually collaborating.

Verdict: While GoVisually doesn’t pack a feature list as extensive as ReviewStudio, that actually works out in GoVisually’s favor. It focuses on the 80-20 principle i.e., the platform focuses more on the 20% of features that handle 80% of your needs. 

GoVisually’s interface is simple. It doesn’t flood you with a load of tools and buttons. You just have what you need to keep proofing simple—the ability to add comments, invite people, and visual markups. This simplicity and ease of use give GoVisually the definite win.

2. Collaboration features 

Strong collaboration between clients, reviewers, designers, and stakeholders in online proofing is a must-have for easy communication and swift feedback exchange. Let’s find out which tool offers the best collaboration features!

GoVisually nails the fundamentals of collaboration over creative projects

GoVisually offers seamless real-time collaboration and lets multiple team members work on the same project simultaneously. It keeps stakeholders in the loop with live updates and instant synchronization.

• Right off the bat, you can invite unlimited people to review and collaborate on your design. What’s best, GoVisually’s Section Sharing feature lets you share only desired parts of your project with collaborators, so you’re always in control
• The interactive commenting system in GoVisually opens up dynamic discussions around your project. You can provide precise feedback with annotations directly on the project on the Google Docs style collaboration system, complete with unlimited collaborators and @mentions. You can also attach files in comments.
• The intuitive revision tracking system in GoVisually records changes in real time for a more comprehensive timeline of your project. Plus, you can make private comments within teams so that internal discussions remain confidential before sharing feedback with external clients.
• GoVisually tracks all changes and iterations and lets users compare different versions of a design side-by-side. This maintains clarity over revisions and ensures that all feedback is addressed.
• Users receive real-time updates and notifications on project status and can mention collaborators directly in comments to ensure everyone is informed and engaged in the review process

Collaboration is at the heart of ReviewStudio’s online proofing system

In ReviewStudio, feedback happens live. Clients, team members, and other stakeholders can add comments, draw annotations, and highlight specific sections on the spot. 

• ReviewStudio centralizes all feedback, so every comment, suggestion, and approval is stored in one place, easily accessible by the whole team. 
• For projects with multiple drafts and revisions, ReviewStudio’s version control saves each new update as a new version, so that everyone can see the evolution of a project and easily compare different iterations.
• ReviewStudio also offers reporting tools that give you a clear overview of all feedback, approvals, and action items. You can see who has viewed, commented, or approved specific files to easily track progress and identify bottlenecks

Verdict: Both platforms do equally well in terms of collaboration. 

3. Integration with other tools

GoVisually integrates with over 3000 apps via Zapier

GoVisually is optimized to be used with multiple platforms, and it integrates easily with several workspaces for an uncompromised creative workflow. It integrated with

• Project management platforms: Slack, Trello, Zapier and Asana 
• Adobe Creative Cloud Integration: InDesign, Illustrator, etc.

That said, it also works flawlessly on all major browsers like Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.

ReviewStudio offers an API for customized integrations

ReviewStudio is built to work within your current project management systems and it integrates with platforms like Asana, Monday, Wrike among 2000+ other applications. 

For teams with unique needs, ReviewStudio offers a powerful API that enables custom integrations. This is ideal for organizations looking to build specific functions or connect to proprietary software.

Verdict: Both platforms have great integration capabilities, and you aren’t likely to fall into integration troubles with either of these platforms. With that said, GoVisually technically has the upper hand with more integrations, and it gets bonus points for the Adobe integration.

4. File Support and Format Compatibility

GoVisually supports all the commonly used file formats

File Format: GoVisually supports a wide range of file types, including MP4, MOV, MPV, PNG, JPG, PSD, and PDF. You can even work with WebP files and annotate videos and WebM files in a few clicks.

Storage: Currently, you can only work with files that are up to 512 MB in size. However, this becomes a non-issue by simply compressing large files and squeezing them below 512 MB.

ReviewStudio supports more file formats out of the box

• Images – JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, PSD, 360 Panoramas
• Video – MP4, MOV, OGG, WebM, FLV, AVI, WMV, ASF, ProRes +
• Audio – MP3, WMA, AAC
• Documents – PDF, SVG, DOC(X), PPT(X), XLS(X)
• Web – HTML (either as a ZIP or URL capture)
• 3D files  – GLB

Verdict: This one is pretty clear. ReviewStudio snatches the win by being compatible with more file formats. However, you probably won’t even notice the difference as the most commonly used formats are supported by both platforms.

5. Version control and feedback 

Version control and feedback maintain the structured, trackable workflow in online proofing. It also paves the way for precise iteration tracking and improved revision accuracy in real-time collaboration. Let’s see how these two stack up against each other on this front.

GoVisually’s intuitive approval checklists separate it from the rest of the online proofing tools

Right at the outset, GoVisually’s approval checklists eliminate the challenges that come with traditional review processes. It simplifies version control by organizing and tracking revisions without manually keeping track of different versions. 

For instance, if you’re working on a graphic design project, you can create checklist items for each of the elements like logos, color schemes, etc.. This way, stakeholders can provide feedback on individual items for more accurate revisions. 

ReviewStudio isn’t that far behind, with robust version control and feedback mechanisms

ReviewStudio supports unlimited sequential versions, which are automatically locked to prevent further annotations. This way, feedback remains organized and traceable.

As for feedback, the Compare Mode lets you visually compare any two versions of a file side-by-side. The built-in Difference Highlighter marks changes between versions and a Slider tool overlays comparisons.

Reviewers can engage in threaded discussions using @mentions to direct comments to specific collaborators. Comments can be sorted and filtered for efficient review management.

Verdict: GoVisually stands out due to its intuitive and centralized approach. While ReviewStudio offers more advanced version control features which could be be less-intuitive for non-techies.

Key use cases of each design review tool

GoVisually leans more toward creative teams, especially those in designing, packaging, and media industries

Design-heavy industries like creative agencies, e-commerce teams, and marketing firms would benefit more from GoVisually because of its dedicated artwork review features and deep integration with Adobe’s Creative Cloud.

Thanks to GoVisually AI, it also perfectly fits the packaging and labeling industries. AI enables lightning-fast one-click label analysis, reducing label review times from weeks to minutes. 

AI also enables instant regulatory compliance checks and advanced keyword and claim verification, which makes it the default choice for pharma, beauty, and food and beverage industries. Probably its best feature is the highly customizable AI playbooks—an adaptable, dynamic compliance management system that reduces label-specific compliance issues by 75%.

GoVisually also excels at simplifying creative reviews for marketing and creative agencies. Reviewers of creative projects are able to leave comments and markups over images, videos, and PDFs directly, request changes, and approve marketing assets even without an account. 

Other than these niches, GoVisually also caters to online proofing in apparel and merchandising and for video reviews and approvals. 

ReviewStudio is geared more toward content makers and creators

ReviewStudio brings a feature-rich solution that speeds up workflows, keeps communication centralized, and simplifies the review and approval process for content-heavy projects needing detailed client input and iteration.

If you’re a photographer, video producer, content manager, architect, designer, or anyone in a creative field that involves frequent review cycles, ReviewStudio might be the better pick for you

ReviewStudio’s version control makes it easy for teams to track changes and keep everyone on the same page across iterations. This is a must for industries like architecture and product design, where versioning is critical for tracking adjustments and approvals.

Plus, with multi-project and multi-user management options, teams like ad and marketing agencies can handle large volumes of content and organize feedback efficiently across multiple projects.

Real user reviews: GoVisually VS. ReviewStudio

GoVisually is praised for its ease of use, customer service, and cost-effectiveness

• GoVisually drastically reduces the time-to-proof between reviewers, clients and other stakeholders. (source)
• The platform is well-organized and easy to understand, with minimal steps required to get to proofing (source)
• It improves collaboration and communication with clients with easy, straightforward mechanisms for commenting and version history comparison (source)
• It could benefit greatly from automated workflows with third-party apps (source)

ReviewStudio is well-liked for its extensive list of features and simplified feedback flows

• It is quick and easy to upload a file and get a link for reviewing in ReviewStudio, and since all comments are consolidated together, it eliminates reconciling comments from different sources (source)
• For online proofing, clients can simply set up guest accounts with their name and email address (source)
• It is easy to share proofs and get projects approved within a single interface (source)
• The process of moving files around in a review is clunky; things like exporting markups to Excel are more complicated than they should be (source)

Final Verdict

Choose GoVisually if: You want a tool that prioritizes visual feedback with a straightforward, intuitive design. 

It’s ideal for teams looking for quick and easy collaboration on packaging or visual projects without a steep learning curve. GoVisually’s simplicity makes it a good fit for smaller teams or designers who need clients and stakeholders to easily jump in and review without a fuss. 

Choose ReviewStudio if: Your team needs a more sophisticated suite of feedback features, especially for projects involving complex, detailed reviews. 

ReviewStudio shines in multi-layered, collaborative settings where annotations, version tracking, and varied markup tools are used extensively. If you work with larger teams or need a highly organized and customizable review process that can accommodate intricate workflows, ReviewStudio offers the depth and control you need.

The post GoVisually VS. ReviewStudio: Which is the best tool for collaborative design reviews? appeared first on GoVisually.

Sound familiar? It’s frustrating, time-consuming, and far from ideal.

That’s when you start wondering if there’s a better way to manage the chaos. Enter tools like GoVisually and Adobe Illustrator. Used together, they let you create stellar designs and smoothen their approval process.

But how? Isn’t just one software solution enough? Do you need something more?

We’ll answer these questions in this GoVisually vs Adobe Illustrator comparison. Read on.

Overview of GoVisually and Adobe Illustrator

GoVisually: An all-in-one platform for creative reviews, fast approvals, and collaboration

GoVisually is built with one goal in mind: making collaboration on design projects smoother, faster, and less chaotic. It’s designed to streamline design feedback, approvals, and version control—all in one place. 

GoVisually is a breakthrough product for teams working on complex packaging design projects. It eliminates the hassle of managing multiple stakeholders and frequent revisions. With GoVisually, you no longer have to get buried in endless email threads and scattered comments on your design mockups—everything is organized in one place.

Be it adjusting legal text, meeting regulatory compliance, or fine-tuning product claims. GoVisually’s robust annotation tools let clients and team members mark up designs directly with comments, boxes, and arrows, which makes feedback crystal clear. 

Moreover, GoVisually’s proof cycle  feature keeps everyone in sync, while the checklist feature ensures no detail is left unattended in the packaging design process. The version control system lets you stack and compare iterations side by side, for comparing different versions of your design.

Adobe Illustrator: The industry standard vector-graphics editing suite

Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard for creating precise, high-quality vector-based designs. Known for its versatility and power, Illustrator is the tool of choice for designers who need to create everything from logos to detailed packaging designs.

Its vector capabilities make it perfect for producing scalable assets that maintain clarity while designing for either a small label or a large product box.

It is the most widely used tool to create detailed illustrations, custom typography, and complex design elements that can be resized without losing quality. 

Illustrator supports both 2D and 3D designing, and can even turn raster drawings into crisp vectors. For labeling and packaging industries, the Mockups feature in Illustrator is ace, enabling designers to visualize product labels and graphics on product images.

GoVisually vs. Adobe Illustrator: Feature comparison for packaging design workflow

1. Collaboration and feedback

GoVisually is made primarily for streamlined design collaboration and structured feedback loops

GoVisually is a design collaboration platform that transforms chaotic feedback loops into a streamlined, single-source workflow. It becomes your virtual design studio where every comment, revision, and approval lives under one roof.

• Smart collaboration features keep projects on track with automated due date reminders, customizable review checklists, and intuitive dashboards that give you a bird’s-eye view of all ongoing projects
• You can invite unlimited people to share their thoughts on drafts, add comments, review edits and more. Don’t want to share the entire project? GoVisually packs a one-of-its-kind Section sharing feature you can use to share specific sections only with external reviewers
• Offers instant notifications, @mentions, and real-time status updates, while its Slack integration lets team members respond to design feedback without leaving their chat workspace. Project managers can set up custom roles and permissions, automate client reminders, and leverage integrations r to connect GoVisually with their existing tech stack
• Avoid chaotic workflows and the hassle of dealing with multiple emails. GoVisually automatically moves designs to next stage as comments are added and resolved or new updates added

Adobe Illustrator is made for the design creation process and has limited collaboration features

Adobe Illustrator, while powerful as a design tool, offers less intuitive collaboration features. You can invite collaborators to work on documents you upload to the cloud. They can leave comments.

• Creative Cloud sharing lets you invite people to comment and leave feedback on designs. You can share the entire document or select a range to only share individual artboards
• However, keep in mind that the lack of built-in project management tools means no automated reminders, approval tracking, or centralized feedback system that may lead to missed deadlines and communication gaps
• While some third-party plugins attempt to bridge these gaps, they typically add extra complexity to an already fragmented workflow, requiring teams to constantly switch between Illustrator and various collaboration platforms

GoVisually trumps Illustrator when it comes to feedback and collaboration

A single packaging design contains dozens of critical elements—from regulatory compliance text and ingredient lists to barcodes and brand messaging—each needing expert review and approval. Even a minor error, like an incorrect allergen warning can lead to costly recalls or other legal issues.

GoVisually’s collaborative features tackle this complexity by:

• Ensuring 100% accuracy through AI-powered label compliance checks and systematic review processes
• Cutting revision cycles in half by enabling real-time, contextual feedback from all stakeholders
• Maintaining crystal-clear audit trails for every design change 
• Protecting sensitive information through private sections while still enabling external collaboration

Adobe Illustrator, while excellent for the design phase, lacks these specialized packaging review capabilities, often leading to prolonged approval cycles, increased compliance risks, and communication gaps between multiple stakeholder groups.

2. Design capabilities 

GoVisually is not design oriented, but complements Illustrator for packaging workflows.

GoVisually doesn’t try to compete with tools like Adobe Illustrator in actual design creation. Instead, it shines as a robust feedback management platform.

Its newest AI Compliance feature automatically checks  the regulatory compliance while streamlining the review process.

What sets GoVisually apart is its comprehensive toolkit for packaging workflows:

• Smart project organization with intuitive dashboards and a clean UI designed to make creative workflows clear, convenient, and less chaotic
• Smartnotes in GoVisually offer a place to keep essential design documents (design guides, checklists, creative briefs) in one place. All notes support multimedia attachments and you can share them with your choice of collaborators
• With GoVisually’s checklist feature, you can compile a list of to-do tasks within your design projects. It’s super handy for gathering feedback, tracking changes, and making sure everything’s in place before giving the final thumbs-up.
• Real-time notifications that keep you up-to-date on all changes within your design project
• @Mentions allow you to leave specific design feedback, assign tasks, and more without any confusion

The platform seamlessly integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud, allowing designers to send proofs directly from their design environment, eliminating time-consuming file transfers and version control issues.

Illustrator is made specifically for designing, but lacks proper collaborative features

• For the actual craft of packaging design, Adobe Illustrator remains the industry standard offering, Precise control over typography, graphics, and complex illustrations that maintain quality at any scale
• Objects on path feature for efficient layout of repeating elements—crucial for package design
• Advanced tools for textures, gradients, and effects that bring packaging designs to life
• Comprehensive mockup capabilities for visualizing designs in real-world contexts
• Industry-standard color management systems essential for accurate printing

Illustrator is obviously the better option for designing the packaging, but GoVisually is just as important to carry out the final product 

If the focus is purely on creating the design, Adobe Illustrator stands above GoVisually. Illustrator’s rich design tools provide all the power and precision needed for creating professional packaging assets.

That said, GoVisually still has a key in the packaging design process. While it doesn’t have design capabilities, its strength lies in managing the workflow that surrounds the design, our customers approve these claims, happily!

3. Version Control and Proofing

GoVisually has automated version control and proof cycles

GoVisually’s version control system goes beyond basic tracking—it lets you stack different versions of design assets side by side, which makes it particularly useful for comparing subtle packaging element changes like nutrition tables or ingredient lists

• The platform’s proof cycle feature integrates directly with Adobe CC and automatically saves iterations and enables quick reversions to earlier versions if needed
• Project managers can utilize the checklist feature alongside version control to ensure each revision systematically addresses quality assurance criteria, from regulatory requirements to brand guidelines

Adobe Illustrator only has barebones version tracking

While Illustrator has layer management and document history, it lacks dedicated version tracking for complex packaging workflows

• The software has no built-in proofing system for managing stakeholder approvals or tracking revision cycles
• Creative Cloud’s basic versioning focuses on file backup rather than collaborative review management

How GoVisually and Adobe Illustrator integrate together to streamline your design workflow?

For packaging design, Adobe Illustrator and GoVisually each bring something unique to the table. 

Illustrator gives you the raw creative power to create intricate designs with precision, while GoVisually takes care of the feedback, revisions, and approval chaos that often follows. They don’t compete—they complement each other perfectly. Use both to create a smooth, hassle-free workflow that meets the creative demands of your design and the collaborative needs of your team. 

How to use GoVisually to optimize Illustrator’s workflow?

When a design leaves Illustrator’s creative environment, GoVisually’s easy integration with Adobe introduces collaboration to the second part of the process. 

With GoVisually’s Smartnotes integration, you can

• Create comprehensive packaging briefs and content outlines before design begins
• Document compliance requirements and brand guidelines
• Build storyboards for packaging variants and product lines
• Track creative direction changes throughout the project lifecycle

It’s AI-powered compliance workflow helps you

• Automatically scan labels for required and restricted keywords
• Run comprehensive spell checks and grammar validation
• Verify compliance with industry-specific regulations
• Flag potential issues before they reach stakeholder review

The private sections for sensitive content lets you

• Add secure areas for internal pricing discussions and protected zones for unreleased product information
• Get controlled access for different stakeholder groups
• Maintain confidentiality while enabling collaboration

Which Tool Is Best For Different Packaging Design Scenarios?

For teams needing precise design and customization

Adobe Illustrator is the ideal tool for teams focused on creating detailed, scalable designs and advanced graphics. Its precision and versatility make it an apt choice for creative professionals. 

Illustrator allows designers to work with complex shapes, typography, and color gradients, for packaging designs that need exactness and customization.

For teams needing collaboration and efficient workflows

GoVisually is the ideal platform for teams that need to collaborate with multiple stakeholders efficiently. 

GoVisually’s integration with Adobe products streamlines workflows—designers receive contextual feedback directly on their design assets without leaving their creative process. It effectively manages the approval process and ensures all feedback is centralized and easily accessible.

When to use both together

Use Adobe Illustrator for the design phase for its precise design capabilities. Then hop on to GoVisually for team collaboration and project management. This combination will result in a streamlined packaging design process from initial conception through to final approval. 

Use both tools in tandem to maintain high design standards while managing revisions and approvals.

Picking the right tool for your packaging design workflow.

To recap the strengths of each,

• Adobe Illustrator has unmatched precision in design and scalability, is essential for detailed packaging design tasks
• GoVisually is better in managing collaboration, feedback, and compliance aspects of the packaging design process; a comprehensive platform for team interactions 

For the best results in packaging design, use Adobe Illustrator in the creative process. Once your designs are ready, switch to GoVisually to handle approvals and manage revisions efficiently. 

Combine both tools to create high-quality designs while keeping the feedback process organized and hassle-free.

The post GoVisually vs Adobe Illustrator: Which tool is better for packaging design workflow? appeared first on GoVisually.