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.

You’re not alone— most packaging managers feel the pressure of getting the labels perfect. With over 50 crucial details to verify, from product names and ingredient lists to regulatory symbols and barcodes, the task is daunting. 

And it’s not just about fulfilling the client’s requirements; it’s about meeting government regulations and adhering to legal compliance standards for labels.

So how do you ensure that each element of the label is compliant, meets design criteria, and also resonates with the audience? 

Well, that’s what we’re going to discuss here today! We have listed down the top 7 design software that can help you manage, create and proof your labels efficiently.

Top Label Management Software

1. Loftware Spectrum by Loftware

Loftware Spectrum is a comprehensive enterprise labeling solution that transforms legacy approaches to labeling. It offers a standardized platform for managing complex labeling operations across global businesses. The solution integrates with leading business applications, provides cloud-based performance, and puts label management in the hands of business users through intuitive interfaces. 

Top Features

• Offers all-in-one labeling solutions that standardize the entire label printing process into one platform
• Provides certified integrations with leading business applications like Oracle and SAP
• Features intuitive interfaces and WYSIWYG design capabilities for easy label management by business users
• Includes pre-designed label templates and applications compliant with common industry regulations
• Allows immediate label changes across all operations

Pricing & Offerings: On Request

2. 3DEXPERIENCE Platform by Dassault Systemes

3DEXPERIENCE offers a unified environment for entire organizations to collaborate, innovate, and operate more efficiently. The platform combines various capabilities including virtual twin technology, cloud-based solutions, and role-based tools to transform how businesses approach product development, manufacturing, and customer experiences.

Top Features

• Offers role-based applications tailored to specific needs and skill sets of users
• Enables creation and visualization of virtual twins for products, processes, and operations
• Allows businesses to design and test products virtually before physical production
• Provides tools for managing complex systems from individual products to entire cities

Pricing & Offerings: $15/month

Top Label Designing Software

3. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics software that offers powerful tools for creating high-quality, scalable label designs. It provides features tailored for label creators, from intricate logo design to complex packaging layouts. 

Top Features

• Offers vector-based design tools for creating infinitely scalable graphics without loss of quality
• Provides an extensive array of typography tools for precise text layout and customization
• Includes advanced color management features, supporting various color models including CMYK for print-ready designs
• Enables creation of complex shapes and paths with intuitive pen and shape tools
• Allows for easy integration of barcodes and QR codes essential for product labeling

Pricing & Offerings: $29/month. Under this plan, you can get 

• Slack and Microsoft Teams app integration
• 1TB of cloud storage
• Adobe Portfolio
• 500 monthly generative credits
• Adobe Express
• Adobe Portfolio
• Adobe Fonts
• Access to the latest features and updates as soon as they’re released 

4. CoreIDRAW

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is a comprehensive professional graphic design software for both Mac and Windows platforms. It offers a versatile toolkit for vector illustration, page layout, photo editing, and typography projects. It consists of powerful tools such as CorelDRAW, CorelPHOTO-PAINT, and CorelDRAW.app for web-based design and collaboration.

Top Features

• Offers an easy-to-navigate interface that enhances productivity and streamlines the workflow for designers
• Provides a wide range of vector illustration and page layout tools, allowing users to create professional-quality designs
• With powerful photo editing tools, CorelDRAW enables users to enhance and manipulate images with precision and ease
• Supports various file formats and printing options, ensuring compatibility and high-quality outputs for different media types

Pricing & Offerings: On Request

5. Canva

Canva is a versatile and user-friendly design tool that simplifies label creation with its drag-and-drop interface and extensive library of templates. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned designers, Canva offers a range of customizable options to craft professional-looking labels effortlessly. Whether you’re designing product labels or event tags, Canva provides a straightforward approach to achieving attractive results with minimal effort.

Top Features

• Provides a vast collection of pre-designed label templates that can be easily adjusted for various sizes, colors, and content to suit different branding needs
• Allows access to an extensive library of high-quality images, icons, and illustrations to enhance labels with relevant graphics and logos
• Enables the creation and application of a personalized brand kit to maintain consistency with your brand’s colors, fonts, and logos across all labels
• Allows for easy resizing of label designs to different formats and dimensions without compromising quality
• Facilitates sharing designs with team members or clients for feedback and collaborative editing in real-time

Pricing & Offering: 

• Canva Pro: $48/month
• Canva Teams:  $46/person/seat
• Canva Enterprise: Custom Pricing

Top Label Proofing Software

1. GoVisually

GoVisually one of the most affordable and user-friendly online proofing software out there. It is a specialized label proofing software that enhances the efficiency and accuracy of the label review and approval process. The software offers unique features like feedback checklist, AI compliance, advanced plugins and more.

Top Features

1. No-Sign Up Reviewers: The designer needs to share the custom link and the client can access the design with no sign-up process at all. GoVisually also allows you to invite unlimited internal and external reviewers for free. 

2. AI Brand Compliance: Offers AI brand compliance to detect and flag inconsistencies in labels. This feature checks the label for

• Barcode accuracy
• Spell checks
• Restricted keywords
• Required keywords

3. Version Control:

Designing labels is a complex process that involves over 50 details, each detail needs to be carefully  verified from experts. This level of detail ensures that every aspect of the label meets industry standards and regulatory requirements. That’s where our version control feature comes in handy. It streamlines the entire label review process and makes it more efficient. 

GoVisually’s version control simplifies this process by automatically saving every version of your label and ensuring everyone is on the same page with the most current update. This feature helps prevent mistakes, maintains consistency, and ensures that your label designs are always compliant with industry regulations.

And that’s how you can manage complicated label designs in a much more straightforward and reliable way.

4. Contextual Commenting:

Designers often struggle with vague feedback. Reviewers either use email chains or conduct meetings to explain their suggestions which often get lost leading to confusion, increased revision cycles, and frustation among label designers. So instead of providing feedbacks vocally, you can just integrate your current designing software with GoVisually and provide direct feedbacks on the design asset.

GoVisually offers three types of annotation tools (Comments, Box, and Arrow) for clear and contextual feedback on designs. Using this feature, you can reduce repetitive feedback chains and speed up the process by 2x.

5. Proof Cycle:

Tired of unorganized workspace for labels and other digital assets? Try our Proof Cycle feature.

With this feature you can consolidate all feedback from stakeholders in one place, categorize each design based on the feedback, and track their progress individually.

GoVisually offers a structured process for reviewing, revising, and approving design proofs within the platform to streamline the feedback loop and approval process for your labels. This proof cycle includes— All Proofs, Needs Review, Needs Change, Approved, Finalized.

Pricing & Offerings: The solo plan of GoVisually begins at $9 per month, making it a cost-effective choice. This option is tailored for individual users and small teams with modest project needs, keeping things budget-friendly. Here’s the detailed breakdown of GoVisually’s pricing page;

1. Lite ($49/month): For small teams and limited projects.

• Add 3 team members
• 50 active projects
• 50 GB storage
• Video file support

2. Pro ($99/month): Teams who need pro features.

• Include 3 team members
• 250 projects
• 150 GB storage
• Set dues dates and deadlines

3. Enterprises ($999/month): Team who need complexity and scale

• Custom project size
• Unlimited reviewers
• Pay by invoice/transfer
• Dedicated account manager

Note: The pricing of the tool is flexible, so refer to the pricing page here for an accurate figure. 

2. Filestage

Filestage provides a comprehensive way to manage the system review and approval process. It allows teams to collect data, track versions, and collaborate seamlessly on creative content like images, videos, PDFs, and documents. 

Filestage facilitates seamless collaboration between designers, clients, and stakeholders, ensuring that every detail of your label is accurately reviewed and approved before printing.

Top Features

• Takes an easy-to-use approach and communicates with an intuitive interface designed for ease of use
• Keeps track of different design iterations with automatic versioning, making it easy to review changes and revert to previous versions if needed
• Streamlines the research process by providing input from multiple stakeholders, reducing the time to revision
• Enhance precision for communication by applying text, annotations, and symbols directly to files
•  Provides secure file sharing with role-based access controls, ensuring that only authorized individuals can view or make changes to the label designs

Pricing & Offerings: 

1. Free

2. Basic: $59/month (include 10 active project and 250 GB storage)

3. Professional: $299/month, includes, 

• 25 active projects
• 3 reviewer groups
• Compare versions
• Custom branding
• 1 automation per project
• Copy comments
• Review reports
• Member role
• External partner upload
• 2 project templates 
• Team-only comments

4. Enterprise: Customer

Conclusion

For every stage of your label design project, there’s a tool to make the process faster, simpler, and more collaborative.

But if there’s one thing you should remember from this article, it’s that you should always, always, always proof your label designs before sending them to the printers.  So here’s the most affordable and intutive software to start with—GoVisually. Book a demo here.

The post Top 7 Label Design Software To Design, Manage, & Proof Labels appeared first on GoVisually.

In fact, an industry report from Sprinkle Media says designers spend almost 40% of their time iterating designs based on team feedback, client critiques, and suggestions. The most common reasons for this endless cycle is miscommunication, vague feedback, and lack of a system.

A great way to overcome these challenges is to implement an effective design system with smart feedback tools like GoVisually. It centralizes all reviewer feedback and organizes the designs under each stage of the review process. It is specifically designed to streamline workflow, reducing revision time with clients and providing visibility into work progress. 

Interested to know more about developing an effective review process? Keep reading.

What is the Design Feedback Loop?

The Design Feedback Loop is an iterative process in which designers create work, receive feedback, make revisions based on that feedback, and then repeat the cycle until the design meets all requirements and is approved. 

After the designer receives the feedback, they need to analyze it and make adjustments accordingly. Designers learn and grow as they resolve each feedback. They better understand the client’s requirements, project alignment, and the final output. 

Primarily, feedback loops are created to meet the client’s expectations and fulfill the creative brief provided for the project. 

Theoretically, there are no defined steps in a design feedback loop. Feedback varies on multiple factors, such as clients, project scope, industry, and team dynamics. So, here’s the basic structure of the design feedback loop. This structure is the starting point of any feedback loop; it can be broken down into further steps, depending on the requirement. 

Structure of the Design Feedback Loop

Source

1. Share the design with your team and other stakeholders
2. Let them analyze the design to provide their insights, critiques, and suggestions for the design.
3. Acknowledge the feedback and adjust the design based on the suggestions given. 
4. Follow up with the team and other stakeholders. And repeat the process until the design is approved.

Importance of Design Feedback Loop?

Teams that implement feedback loops can see a 30% reduction in project delays due to early identification of issues and alignment on project goals. Not only this, but without feedback, projects are more likely to encounter risks and delays. The lack of a proper system also causes misalignment and unresolved issues in the project.

The feedback loop is important for a few reasons:

1. Clear Direction: Feedback loops provide concrete data about what’s working and what isn’t in a design. It helps teams make confident decisions based on facts rather than guesswork.

2. Increased Relevance: Feedback loops ensure designs stay aligned with goals and user needs. They turn data into actionable insights, making the design process more relevant and goal-oriented.

3. Constant Growth: The ongoing nature of feedback allows designs to evolve and improve over time. It helps teams adapt to new ideas and refine their work continuously.

4. Improves Stakeholder Involvement: Feedback loops engage all relevant parties. Involving stakeholders through feedback mechanisms ensures that designs meet their expectations and requirements.

5. Enhanced Decision-Making: By analyzing feedback data, teams can make informed decisions. Feedback provides empirical evidence to guide design choices, leading to more effective and relevant solutions.

How to Build an Effective Design Feedback Loop Using an Online Proofing Tool?

Multiple researches have shown that integrating an effective design feedback tool can reduce time to market by up to 20%. It can accelerate revisions by 2x and slash down almost half of the total project time. Impressive facts, right? 

However this can only be made possible through the integration of an online proofing tool with your existing workflow. Online proofing tools connect with your design and other existing tools and boost the productivity of designers significantly. 

With these tools, designers will get contextual feedback, enabling them to address comments and revisions directly on the design itself. 

Additionally, these tools can centralize all design discussions and revisions in one place, reducing miscommunication and ensuring that everyone involved is on the same page. 

Need a stronger design feedback loop for your organization? Here’s how you can also build a functional design loop using online prodding tools like GoVisually. 

1. Set Clear Communication

One of the prominent problems with traditional feedback loops is miscommunication. Without clear communication, designers struggle to understand the intent behind comments. It leads to never-ending revision cycles and extended project timelines. 

However, by using an online proofing tool, you can easily centralize feedback, assist multiple stakeholders in effective collaboration, and ensure that all comments are clear, contextual, and actionable.

Following the feedback loop is much easier with online proofing tools due to their features such as;

• Annotation tool — offers precise, visual feedback directly on the design
• Comment threading — allows for organized discussions around specific design elements
• Version control — tracks changes and enables easy comparison between iterations
• Real-time collaboration — facilitates immediate communication and decision-making
• @mentions and notifications — ensure relevant team members are alerted in their existing communication tools such as Slack, Email, etc. 
• Integration with designing tools like Adobe Illustrator for direct comments

Using these features, managers can increase productivity and creativity among team members. It eliminates long, boring email threads and feedback misunderstandings, leading to fewer, faster, and more focused revision cycles. 

2. Establish Multi-Stage Workflows

 A multi-stage review is a procedure where a document or process gets reviewed under different stages. Multi-stage workflows efficiently divide each design into different stages of review— All Proofs, Needs Reviews, Needs Changes, Approved, and Finalized. It brings the best design quality and also provides transparency on the work progress to the stakeholders. 

 Hence, you can incorporate multi-stage review workflows in your feedback loop to;

• Prevent bottlenecks by identifying and addressing delays in specific review stages
• Enhance accountability by assigning clear responsibilities for each review stage
• Improve project management and reduce the risk of missed steps or overlooked details
• Enhance version control by clearly separating designs at different stages of completion

3. Automate Your Workflow

If you’re considering online proofing tools for your feedback loops, this should be the reason. Automation is a game-changer when it comes to reducing the length of feedback loops. It improves the feedback process by reducing manual tasks, ensuring timely updates, and streamlining communication. You can easily set up communication and 

• Send instant alerts to team members when new feedback is added, ensuring everyone is aware of recent comments or changes.
• Automated review progress tracking and status reports provide real-time insight into feedback
• Centralize all feedback into the dashboard to provide overall comments and revisions from all stakeholders in one place
• Automatically create new versions of design files with each update, documenting every change and maintaining a complete version history
• Automated deadline tracking and alerts to keep the project on schedule

So, if you’re looking for a user-friendly and affordable online proofing software to start with, you should check out GoVisually. You only need one demo to become familiar with the platform.  

4. Supports Your Remote and Distributed Teams

Remote work has become the global culture now. Almost all companies offer hybrid or full-time remote work to their employees as it provides a lot of perks to both employees and the employers. But with all the perks, companies also face some serious challenges, such as difficulty in collaborating on design projects, providing timely feedback on designs, and maintaining cohesive communication among team members who are scattered across different time zones.

However, you can cut down on these workflow redundancies by using online proofing tools in your feedback loops. Here’s how;

• Features like live commenting and annotation tools allow team members to provide immediate feedback directly on the design.
• Cloud-based access allows team members to view and work on design files from remote locations, without manual setup or installation of the app
• Mobile compatibility allows team members to review and provide feedback on designs from their smartphones or tablets, increasing flexibility for remote workers
• With features such as task assignment and deadline tracking, remote teams can stay on track with project timelines and roles

Make Your Feedbacks Flow with GoVisually!

The efficiency and final outcome of your design project directly depends upon the feedback cycle. An effective feedback loop polishes the efforts of your team to keep the work aligned, focused and efficient. Otherwise what’s the use of a design that doesn’t fulfil it’s creative brief, right?

So if you’re looking for an online proofing tool which is easy and affordable to start with— we recommend GoVisually!

GoVisually has worked with hundreds of clients across various industries. All of our clients have seen visible results in their revision cycle and final outputs. Don’t believe us? Check out what our customers have to say.

The post Build an Effective Design Feedback Loop Using Online Proofing Tool appeared first on GoVisually.

But what if that label actually looked fabulous and spelled out to curious customers? Why is that toy considered excellent? A good label should capture a consumer’s attention immediately and be something that will make him/her happy to possess that specific product.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a stunning and informative label for your product, taking readers through its creation. That way, when your product is observable, people will definitely want to try it.

What is Product Label Design?

Product label design is, therefore, regarded as the way or layout utilized in depicting images, colors, and extra texts that may be contained on the product label or packaged material. This entails the following: 

• Company logo
• Name of the product
• List of the ingredients
• Usage instructions
• Any other details that may promote consumer understanding of the brand as well as create demand

The aesthetics of a product label are essential because they inform people about the product and compel them to come and feel the product closer. Consider, for example, how the colorful, eye-popping label on a bottle of Gatorade focuses your mind on the concept of a refreshing sports drink.

Elements of a Product Label Design

An effective product label design involves using several features to produce a meaningful and precise label depicting the product you have in mind. These elements are critical considerations that contribute to the overall brand and aesthetics. Let’s explore the key components:

1. Brand Name and Logo: Your brand name and logo should not be very confusing. People must easily identify your brand name and logo. For instance, the Nike Company’s logo, which is a check mark, is clearly seen on all its products and packaging.

2. Product Name: Your product name must be clear and in sync with the rest of the text, meaning it is larger than the rest of the content. Take, for example, the prominently written words ‘Snickers’ and ‘Kit Kat’ on the labels of the chocolate bars, as shown in the following pictures.

3. Tagline or Brand Message: A brief statement, usually a few words, which gives the public an insight into the product you are dealing with. For instance, the claim “The Quicker Picker Upper” found on the Bounty paper towel labels gives the consumer an indication that the brand is the best because it absorbs more.

4. Product Description: A short proposition of how your product works and why it is unique or better than the competitors’. For instance, the label for a Method brand hand soap may state the product as naturally derived, biodegradable citrus-scented soap.

5. Ingredients or Materials: List all the ingredients so the consumer knows what goes into making your product. Consider how product packaging is similar to Oreo biscuits, and Lay’s Crisp describes in detail the parts used.

6. Net Weight or Quantity: The actual extent of the product contained in the packaging, whether in terms of volume or weight, for instance, in ounces or grams. This is especially so for articles such as bags of chips or a box of cereal, where the weight within is certified by the printed net weight.

7. Usage Instructions: Instructions on how to use/eat your product should convey the message that it is wholesome and healthy for the consumer. For instance, the information on the sticker at the bottom of the bottle of Advil might include information on how often and when to take the medication.

8. Barcode or QR Code: A bar code that contains details of your product and can be read by a computer or phone is called a barcode or QR code. Today, it is customary to find barcodes or QR codes on most product labels to help count stock and for use at the point of sale.

9. Legal and Safety Information: Any imperative information that is likely to appear on the label, such as warnings or expiration dates. For example, one of the warnings, which can be found on the labels of prescription medication bottles, is about the side effects of the remedy and instructions on how to store it.

10. Design Elements and Colors: Appealing graphics and visuals, engaging colors, and designs related to the label will attract customers. Consider how the message in red and white and the familiar curving contour of the Coca-Cola bottle labels grab your attention right away.

11. Tracking Information: Any other numbers or codes that you need to use as a reference for the specific product or the returns and warranty policy. For instance, products such as laptops or cameras will have tiny serial numbers behind the product numbers, usually for identification.

12. Contact Information: Your company’s website, email, or phone number. As a result, people can reach you if they have any questions or need your assistance. This information is found on most labels, in most cases written in a relatively small font near the bottom or on one of the sides of the label.

Factors you should consider while designing product labels

When designing a product label, several factors must be taken into account to ensure its effectiveness and compliance:

1. Competitor Analysis: Go through other labels of similar products and see how you can make your label unique and classy. For example, if your marketing communication strategy is to introduce a new line of granola bars, then study the labels of close competitors such as Nature Valley or Quaker and see what design elements and informative pieces they employ, as well as how you can avoid using the same.

2. Product Purpose: Consider what the product is employed for since this will state what information and design should be incorporated on the label. For instance, if designing the label for a bottle of laundry detergent, the emphasis will be on the product’s cleaning ability and capacity to remove stains. Conversely, the same label put on a skin care product will recall the product’s moisturizing properties.

3. Shelf Presence & Impact: Ensure your label is one that people will immediately be drawn to when placed on the shelf. Consider, for example, the bright yellow label on the bottle of mustard produced by French immediately grabs your attention when you are browsing through the condiments’ aisle at the grocery store.

4. Regulations & Compliances: Adhere to any regulation or policy set by bodies such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) concerning foods and beverages. For instance, it is applicable that if a particular product is to be packaged with an FDA nutrition label, it means that your label should be able to include this requisite on the packaging in the correct format.

5. Budget: Don’t spend a lot of money on designing and printing your labels; set a ceiling on the amount of money you want to spend. As a small business owner or a start-up, you might have less capital to spend on your labels and, hence, will have to settle for a basic label design or a label printing technique.

6. Sustainability: Skin-care products should use everything that is environmentally friendly and should use ecologically friendly designs where possible. Some, such as Tom’s of Maine, make it a point to put a statement to that effect on their product packaging.

How to Design a Perfect Product Label?

Designing the perfect product label requires creativity, strategic thinking, and technical know-how. As a professional in the industry, you understand labels’ critical role in driving sales and building brand recognition. This detailed guide will walk you through a step-by-step process to create captivating labels that inform, resonate with your audience, and influence purchasing decisions.

1. Conduct Research

For research part, let’s divide it into two parts.

• Product Characteristics: Find out your product’s differentiating factors and what sets it apart as much as possible. This will assist you in articulating why customers should purchase your product as stated on the label. For example, if you are designing a label for a range of organic and fair trade chocolate bars, then you might focus on the superior quality of the chocolate and the fact that the product was manufactured ethically.
• Target Audience: It is crucial to try to get as much information about the customers through research as possible, such as their age, interests, and the general type of products that appeal to them. This will help you come up with a label design that they will keenly look at and develop interest in. 

2. Set your Budget

Determine how much you are willing to spend creating and producing product labels. This means that when considering the materials you’ll be using for designing, the costs of printing and whether you need the services of a designer, among others, should be taken into account. The other important thing you will need to do is set the budget, since this will assist you in coming up with the correct label design at the right price. 

For instance, if you are a small business with a narrow amount of capital, you may need to do away with some expensive forms of printing like lithographic printing. Or else, settle for digital media or use a primary type of label stock such as paper as opposed to metals or having texture to them.

3. Gather Essential Product Information

Prepare all of the information messages to be incorporated on the label of your product, such as a list of ingredients, directions for use, and any legal or safety information. It will make the process of designing your label to be easier since you have all the necessary information. 

For instance, if you decide to create a label for a new line of natural skin care products, you will need to collect details such as:

• The list of plants to be used in the products
• Directions for usage (quantity of the product to be applied, and how often)
• Other certifications (organic, not tested on animals, vegan, etc.)

4. Plan the Layout

Determine the appearance and placement of all the elements within your label so that it is appealing and logical. The importance of the presented information should also be kept in mind while designing since specific details should be highlighted more than others. Some particular suggestions are to use apps such as GoVisually smartnotes to help the clipboard manage everything and to help you better collaborate with your team.

For example, let me create a label for a new craft beer brand that I have developed. The most eye-catching one would probably be the beer’s name, written in a large Neue-Heller font. The brand logo would also be placed strategically to show that this brand is superior to other brands. Other aspects that may be helpful and fit the available space may include the beer style (IPA, Stout, etc.), alcohol percentage, and a short description of the taste may be placed in a smaller font. The label’s lower part might provide information such as the list of ingredients and any necessary legal messages.

5. Prioritize Clarity & Hierarchy

Check your label to ensure that the crucial information, such as the name of the product, your brand logo, and what makes your product unique, is easily readable and distinguishable from the rest of the label design. Always remember to put something important at the top or in the middle, and something less important at the edges or the bottom. 

For instance, on the Jar of Pasta Sauce, attributes such as the brand name and the type of sauce should be large. While, the nutritional information and list of ingredients can be small and written at the bottom or along the sides of the Jar.

6. Ensure Regulatory Compliance

Find out if there are any rules or standards that you have to adhere to concerning your product type. 

For instance, if you are in the food or beverage processing industry, you must comply with the FDA guidelines regarding the labeling information required for the product. Some products may also need extra caution messages about how the product will be used to ensure safety. It is always good to consult with a lawyer or an industry association to ensure your label complies with the legal requirements.

7. Choose the Right Creative Review Tool

GoVisually is one of the tools that can assist you and your team in designing and reviewing the product label you have been working on. GoVisually lets you seamlessly share your label design with other users and receive feedback on possible changes in the same space. The feedback we heard from the customers indicates that it can reduce the time spent reviewing and approving designs to half, effectively getting your product on the shelves within the shortest time possible. 

For instance, if you are collaborating with a designer on your label, the designer may draw up the first sketches of the label. Then, the whole team can use GoVisually to mark it up and then write suggestions using the markup tools.

8. Print your labels

After you have completed your label design and received feedback from your clients, ensure that you identify a printer that will print your labels to your preferred standards. Some factors to consider are how long-lasting the label has to be, whether it has to withstand water, and whether it would fit appropriately in your product’s container. 

For example, if you design labels for bottles of cleaning solutions, it would be appropriate to incorporate labels that are durable and not sensitive to fluids.

Conclusion 

How often have you had to rework a label design because it missed the mark? If you’re like most industry professionals, it happens too frequently.

Why?

Creating an influential label that captures attention and moves the product is an intricate craft. It requires balancing visual artistry, strategic messaging, and technical execution.

Keep your clients’ products from languishing behind ineffective labels. Implement the strategies from this guide to craft labels worthy of their exceptional offerings.

Design labels that captivate from first glance and persuade with each element. Labels that blend brand essence with clear product communication.

As a professional, you have the expertise to transform labels into iconic branding tools. Now, put that expertise into action and design dazzling labels.

The post How to Design a Perfect Product Label? appeared first on GoVisually.

You have reached the right place! This guide will exactly answer all your questions related to creative brief and help you understand how it can transform your artwork approach. Here’s an example to start with.

In 1988 Nike launched its iconic “Just Do It”  using a creative brief that led to a sales growth by 1000%. Their creative brief was discussed and developed after several internal discussions and iterations. Apparently, the “Just Do It” campaign is a prime example of how a well-crafted creative brief can lead to significant business outcomes, including increased brand awareness, customer engagement, and, ultimately, higher profits.

Ready to know more about creative briefs now? Here you go.

What is a Creative Brief?

You can think of a creative brief as a simple plan for the project that you are currently working on. It is one way to think about your creative brief. This document outlines the objectives, prerequisites, and expectations for the artwork used on your label. It is for the artwork that will be used on your label. It will serve as the foundation upon which your design will be built.

Importance of Creative Brief Template

 A creative brief aids project planning and execution. Thus, . Here are 5 reasons why creative brief is important

1. Set project objectives, outcomes, and deadlines:

An effective creative brief include project

• objectives
• deadlines
• deliverables
• constrains
• audience
• budget
• approval  items.

A creative brief acts like a recipe that needs to be followed while working on the project. 

2. Keep Everyone Intact:

These notes keep the team on track throughout the project by 

• providing regular updates
• setting transparent communication among all the stakeholders
• clarifies roles and responsibilities along with deadlines of each task
• providing a means to offer feedback loops

3. Measure Success:

A creative brief incorporates measurable goals and success indicators to evaluate the advancement of the project. Monitoring these predefined success metrics including engagement metrics, conversion rates, and other KPIs helps measure the effectiveness of projects.

4. Recognises Your Audience

Include specific insights about the your targeted audience’s preferences. These preferences includes traits, interests, habits, demographics, and pain points. Using this information you can easily create targeted brand messaging for running campaigns, creating targetd products for your label, etc.

As per the Adobe survey 2020, 64% of the market believes that creative briefs format are essential for the success of business.

How to Write a Creative Brief for Label Artwork? A Step By Step Process

Want to create a creative for your label artwork, but not sure where to start? Here’s the guide that answers all your questions!

1. Define Your Goals

Make sure you are clear about the label artwork project’s goals and aims. Say whether the goal is to spread a certain message, raise knowledge of a brand, or push a new product feature. If you want a brand, do you want one that is funny and crazy or sophisticated and made for minimalistics? Once you have a thorough understanding of these specifics, they will assist you in determining the label artwork that you want to display on your label. 

Target Audience: In gathering information about your target market, you will learn about their age, gender, way of life, and personal preferences. Which of the following are the most important things people who read your work care about? 

2. Defining Objectives and Key Messages

Product Benefits and Features

Once you have determined what your brand represents. You should note the primary concepts you want people to remove from the label design. Before you list the benefits and drawbacks of your product, there are a few things you should do to make it stand out from the competition. It is necessary to ensure that the artwork conveys the appropriate message, whether about environmentally friendly packaging, cutting-edge technology, or new organic ingredients. 

Brand Storytelling: When it comes to telling your brand’s story, the artwork featured on your label can be of great assistance. The motivation pertains to the primary reason you acted in a particular manner. The more you talk about things that are significant to people, such as their beliefs, stories, or history, the more likely they will remember your brand.

3. Add Graphics

Using graphics in the label and packaging industry really speaks to the audience. Here’s how your brand can communicate brand value through graphics.

• Visual Guideline

Having clear visual guidelines and places to get ideas to assist you with the design process is beneficial. If you want to communicate with people, you want to reach an audience. You should use images, fonts, colors, and designs consistent with your brand and speak directly to them.

Make a mood board as the first step in the process. The picture, the texture, and any other design elements you use should all make it clear that you are going for a particular style at this point. In addition to providing designers with something to look at, this ensures that the design continues to move in the right direction. You are getting things connected to the brand, such as logos and colors. Font style guides are the second step in building a brand.

• Size and Layout

It is essential to remember the package’s precise dimensions and contours. It would help if you thought about where the labels and barcodes will be placed, also, to the areas where the paper will absorb liquid.

• Motivate Creativity

Motivate creativity within the limits of your brand’s rules. Use mood boards, examples of good label design, and examples from other industries to give them ideas. For example, PepsiCo’s “Design Our Pepsi Can” campaign asked people to send in their own label designs. This encouraged creativity and community involvement while strengthening the brand’s link with its audience

What are the different types of Creative Briefs?

Today the trend of creative brief has reached to demanding level in the industry, leading to the creation of multiple types of creative briefs. And this can get really overwhelming if you’re a beginner. So here we have mentioned only four main types of creative brief.

1. Traditional Creative Briefs:

• Goals: The primary goal of this project is to design a label that complies with government regulations, such as FDA labeling requirements for alcoholic beverages, while effectively promoting brand recognition and recall.
• Audience: The target audience includes sophisticated consumers aged 25-45 who appreciate craft spirits and are willing to pay a premium for quality products.
• Message: The label artwork should communicate the brand’s heritage, authenticity, and commitment to craftsmanship, emphasizing its unique selling points and story.

2. Visual Briefs:

• Mood Boards: Develop mood boards showcasing the desired aesthetic for the label, including color palettes inspired by the brand’s natural ingredients, such as earthy tones for whiskey or vibrant hues for flavored vodkas.
• Inspiration Boards: Curate visual inspiration from competitor labels, industry trends, and cultural references to inform the creative direction and ensure differentiation in a crowded market.
• Design Style: Communicate preferences for tactile finishes, such as embossing or foil stamping, to enhance shelf appeal and convey a sense of luxury and exclusivity.

3. Modern Creative Briefs:

• Digital Presentation: Create a dynamic digital presentation using tools like Adobe Creative Cloud or Canva to illustrate design concepts and technical specifications, including dimensions, bleed areas, and color profiles for print production.
• Interactive Prototypes: Develop interactive prototypes using software like InVision or Figma to simulate user interactions with the label design, allowing stakeholders to visualize how the artwork will appear on different packaging formats and materials.
• Accessibility: Ensure that the digital brief is accessible to remote team members through cloud-based collaboration platforms like Google Drive or Microsoft Teams, enabling real-time collaboration and feedback exchange across different time zones.

4. Collaborative Briefs:

• Workshop Sessions: Facilitate collaborative workshops involving key stakeholders, including clients, designers, marketers, and regulatory experts, to co-create the creative brief and align on project objectives, constraints, and timelines.
• Brainstorming Activities: Encourage participants to share ideas, insights, and creative suggestions using digital white boarding tools like Miro or MURAL, fostering a culture of innovation and collective problem-solving.
• Online Platforms: Utilize project management platforms like Asana or Trello to document ideas, track feedback, and assign tasks, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the creative process.

Conclusion

To create exciting label art, you need to plan out your steps and begin with a creative brief that is crystal clear. After that, you will have a chance of accomplishing what you set out to do. The manual process of drafting a creative brief can take longer than the actual work itself.

That’s why GoVisually now offers an expertly curated creative brief feature to streamline the time-consuming process of creating creative briefs, which can take hours manually.

Are you ready to take the art on your labels to a new level? Try out Govisually’s Creative Brief feature to see how powerful it can be for easy teamwork and beautiful design. 

FAQs

1. In what way do you write a creative brief for graphic design? 

In the creative brief for your graphic design project, you should specify the deadlines that you want to meet. Talk about the project’s objectives, and identify the target audience you want to communicate with. In addition to that, you should incorporate brand guidelines and a complete list of technical requirements. 

2. How are a design brief and a creative brief different from each other?

A design project’s comprehensive requirements and objectives are outlined in a document called a design brief. This document will provide information regarding the design, including how it should appear, function, and be laid out. While a creative brief will allow you to acquire additional information regarding the project’s objectives and the intended audience, brand identity, and message. Now that you know these things, you can generate more creative ideas. 

3. What are the 7 parts of creating a design brief?

Here are the 7 key elements of creating a design brief; project overview, target audience, brand guidelines, project timeline, cope of work, budget, inspiration and examples, and communication and feedback.

The post Complete Guide to Creating Creative Brief for Label Artwork appeared first on GoVisually.

So why would you want to use it? Picture a world where every stakeholder is in sync, feedback, and adjustments are simple, and wasted time doesn’t exist. That is what our guide has to offer to the table and aims to alleviate some of the stress points in your creative briefs procedure to guarantee that the journey from concept to completion is easy.

How to Write a Packaging Design Brief?

Crafting an innovative, powerful label requires detailed planning and attention to detail. A complete packaging brief design checklist forms the roadmap, ensuring every crucial aspect is observed in the label artwork method.

1. Setup – Adobe Illustrator

Properly configuring Illustrator from the start lays the groundwork for an error-free label design process. So here the steps to get it donerightly.

• Setting the Artboard Size

To begin with, you need to open a new document in Illustrator and configure the artboard size to match the exact label dimensions specified in the packaging brief. Pay close attention to the measurements provided here because even minor deviations can result in issues during printing.

• Configuring Print Settings

Next up, review the print specifications outlined in the brief and ensure that your Illustrator document is set up accordingly. In other words, set the appropriate units of measurement (inches, millimeters, etc.), color mode (CMYK, Pantone, etc.), and define the bleed area. The bleed extends the artwork slightly beyond the trim line, compensating for minor shifts during cutting and ensuring a clean finished product.

• Saving and Exporting Files

Additionally, it is recommended that you save your initial Illustrator file in native AI format, as this will preserve all editable vector elements. That way, you can allow for further modifications if needed. Nevertheless, other file formats for final delivery, such as PDF or EPS, can be exported later.

2. Template & Dieline Orientation

The crucial first step is laying the foundation with the proper dieline template and orientation. Follow the below steps carefully.

• Getting the Dieline/Template File

First, you’ll want to refer to the packaging brief for the specific dieline or template file provided. These outline the precise cut paths, folds, and panels for the particular product packaging. Using the correct dieline template is crucial.

• Orienting the Dieline

Once you have the dieline file imported into Illustrator, take a moment to orient it accurately on the artboard. The positioning and rotation must match how the label will be printed and applied precisely. Otherwise, you could end up with upside-down text or misaligned graphics – definitely not ideal!

• Wraparound vs Single Panel

Speaking of orientation, confirm if the label artwork is wraparound or just for one panel. This small but vital detail determines how you’ll need to set up the design elements. For example, a wraparound label requires thoughtful continuity between the front and back panels.

• Organizing Dieline Elements

Use labeling layers or groups to identify things like cut lines, fold markers, and orientational notches on the dieline. Keeping these elements organized makes it easy to toggle their visibility as you progress through the design phases.

• Aligning Reference Graphics

Lastly, double-check that any reference graphics or imagery align perfectly with the dieline orientation. Misaligned assets are a common pitfall that can throw off an otherwise flawless label design.

3. Artwork Layout

The artwork layout phase requires proper layout and structure. To begin with, setting up layers in an intelligent manner is paramount for maintaining an orderly and easy-to-navigate file. Additionally, correctly defining the bleed area ensures your artwork will print cleanly to the edges.

• Layers

Layers in Illustrator act as separators, allowing you to group and separate different design elements logically. For instance, you may have distinct layers for the label background, product imagery, text elements, etc. The packaging brief will likely guide you in structuring these layers. 

Typically, this involves creating asset layers for images and graphics, then annotation layers for dimensions, dielines, and instructions. Adhering to this layering convention facilitates seamless navigation and editing by any team member. Moreover, clear and descriptive layer names, such as “Packaging Dieline” rather than “Layer 3,” significantly enhance file accessibility.

• Bleed

In addition to layers, correctly setting the bleed area is essential. The bleed refers to the extension of artwork beyond the trim line. Furthermore, it ensures no undesirable white borders appear on the printed piece. Most packaging briefs specify a standard bleed area ranging from 1/8″ to 1/4″ extended past the trim line. 

Any background colors or graphics intended to extend to the label’s edge must fill this bleed zone. Consequently, when trimming the piece, there will be no errant white lines. However, ensuring that outer text, barcodes, or detailed graphics only encroach a little far into the bleed area is crucial, as they risk being inadvertently trimmed off.

You might alse be interested in What is a Creative Brief in the Graphic Designer’s World?

4. Images in Layout

Images are the essence of design brief, so make sure to follow the below steps close get it done rightly.

• Image Requirements

Imagery can make or break a label design, so it’s crucial to handle product photos and graphics with care in your layout. First, refer to the packaging brief for specific image requirements or guidelines. Some brands provide photography, while others leave it to the designer.

• Image Resolution

If you’re sourcing images, pay close attention to the resolution and quality specs in the brief. Low-resolution photos can look pixelated and unprofessional when printed in larger sizes. As a rule of thumb, aim for at least 300 dpi resolution for crisp results.

• Placing Images Properly

Next, you’ll want to incorporate the images into your Illustrator layout properly. Avoid embedding them directly—that leads to image quality degradation. Instead, either link/place the high-res files or embed them using the package feature to maintain editability.

• Using Clipping/Opacity Masks

Speaking of editability, make liberal use of clipping masks and opacity masks if you need to “cut out” product shots from their backgrounds. This alternative method preserves the original image data in case changes are required later.

• Considering Bleed Area

When positioning images, keep an eye on that bleed area we discussed earlier. Bleeding background graphics or textures off the edges are recommended. However, product shots or precise image details should have a safe buffer from the trim line.

• Image Layer Organization

Finally, develop a simple layer for your images, such as an “Images” layer group. This makes it easy to quickly toggle image visibility or lock them in place while focusing on other design elements.

5. Text in Layout

Refer to the packaging brief’s requirements for font families, sizes, and text hierarchy. Use Illustrator’s Type Tool and group text on separate layers. Establish a clear visual hierarchy through text sizing. Allow for proper spacing and balance— leverage Illustrator’s text editing tools like spell check. Combining brevity with the brief’s specifications, you’ll achieve clean, readable text layouts that complement the overall design.

GoVisually’s online proofing platform simplifies the packaging artwork approval process and manages comprehensive packaging briefs. 

Moreover, this is how you can use smartnotes by GoVisually:

• Creating Smartnotes: Click “Add > Smartnote” to create a new one.
• Smartnote Types: Drafts are visible only to the creator. Published notes are accessible to selected project members.
• Editing: Open the Smartnote and click “Edit Draft” to make changes.
• Editor Features: Typography options, text formatting, lists, attachments, tables, and content types like URLs and code blocks.
• Publishing: Click “Publish” when ready. Published notes cannot revert to drafts. Optionally restrict access.
• Privacy: By default, published notes are public. Toggle visibility to limit access to specific members.
• Comments: Those with access can comment using the sidebar.

With our powerful annotation tools and built-in workflow features, we help improve communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams involved in the packaging design process. This approach ensures that packaging briefs are well documented and that all feedback is addressed correctly.

We can help you with the packaging brief. To proceed further with us, simply create your account now.

Get started for free

FAQs:

1.What should be included in a packaging design brief?

Key details to consider include product information, design requirements, branding guidelines, legal/regulatory elements, and practical considerations.

2. What are the main specifications of a design brief?

Critical specifications include dimensions, material, finishes, colors, fonts, legal disclaimers, barcodes, and print methods.

3. How to write a packaging design brief?

Gather input from cross-functional teams, provide clear guidelines and visual references, and allow room for creative problem-solving.

4. What file formats are required for the artwork?

Standard requirements include editable vectors (AI, EPS), print-ready PDFs, and image files at the specified resolution and color profile.

The post How to Write a Packaging Design Brief? appeared first on GoVisually.

As the name suggests, this blog is about ditching the cumbersome process of approving artwork and packaging files over endless email threads. We’ve all been there—countless back-and-forth emails, confusion over the latest file version, feedback getting lost in the clutter, miscommunication galore. It’s tiring, chaotic, and a real productivity drain.

Making matters worse, critical details can slip through the cracks during this messy review process. A slight color discrepancy, a misaligned logo, or a teensy text error on packaging can have enormous implications for brand reputation and legal compliance once printed at scale.

There has to be a better way, right? We believe, GoVisually’s customers show that using dedicated online proofing software streamlined their artwork approval process by up to 60%. 

No more interminable email threads – feedback and approvals happen in one centralized space. Time spent on endless back-and-forth? It slashed by over huge numbers for most teams.

But the benefits go far beyond just saving time. With an online proofing system:

• Artwork versions are tracked automatically.
• Feedback is anchored directly to specific areas on the proof.
• Legal/regulatory checkpoints are enforceable.
• Approvals follow structured workflows & approval paths.
• Complete audit trails capture every decision.

What Is Artwork Approval Software?

Artwork approval software is a unique online proofing platform designed to facilitate the review and approval process of creative assets such as packaging labels, branding files, marketing collateral, etc. 

Do you know how to get started with design proofing? If not, check out this video, which will help you learn the best 10 steps to get started on GoVisually for design proofing.

Especially for CPG brands, it acts as a centralized hub where stakeholders can witness, comment on, and sign off on the art of packaging and labeling before it goes into production.

The online proofing software market is undoubtedly on the rise. But what is it like?

That size was already worth an impressive USD 1.1 Billion by 2023. However, that’s just the beginning. The theories show that:

• This market is expected to continue its growth trajectory and, in fact, reach the US. a staggering $1.62 trillion by 2030.

• As a result, we can expect a positive compound annual growth rate between 2024 and 2030 of 5.65%.

• These statistics highlight online proofing solutions gaining widespread adoption among businesses and organizations of all sizes.

• There is no doubt that organizations are beginning to recognize the enormous value of these specialized tools.

Key features 

First, these solutions offer several key features:

• Markup tool: Provide factual information by directly referring to the evidence. This feature allows you to see the details accurately and clearly.

• Business approval: Customise your approval processes and configure usage-based permissions to simplify them. This will require the right people to take the proper steps, which will increase productivity.

• Version control: This feature allows you to monitor your business’s progress and make informed choices by easily comparing all versions.

• Compliance investigations: Automatically process the collection of legal and regulatory warrants for peace of mind. This ensures that your work meets all necessary standards with ease of hand testing.

• Discussion & Collaboration: Share and discuss the project progress through insightful dashboards. This enhances progress visibility, teamwork and enables real-time collaboration, making projects more dynamic and engaging.

• Quality gateways: Establish configurable checklists and quality control centers to maintain high standards. These gates ensure that your business meets quality requirements at every step.

Challenges overcome

Currently, the traditional method of reviewing packshot PDFs and art files via email is fraught with inefficiencies and risks, namely:

• Version crashes: Without control, the response often ends with an older file version. This can lead to confusion and delays in the research process.
• Lost feedback: Valuable information can easily get lost in never-ending email threads. This makes monitoring critical investments difficult and can hinder growth.
• Unstructured assessment: If a standardized assessment or review process is not used, conclusions can be inconsistent and unclear, leading to inefficiency and misunderstanding.
• No accountability: The inability to trace consents and decisions creates confusion and accountability issues. Have a clear record of who agreed to what is necessary for successful operations.
• Barriers to compliance: Gathering the necessary upfront approvals can present significant challenges. Overcoming these barriers is essential to effectively meeting regulatory standards and deadlines.

Artwork proofing software addresses these pain points by providing an online platform dedicated to proofing cycles. Specifically, the reviews are directly based on actual evidence with full references. Similarly, the business approval process is implemented based on pre-defined business rules. Finally, a comprehensive audit trail captures any comments and approvals for future reference.

Who Needs Artwork Approval Software?

Artwork approval software is essential for any brand or organization that needs to review and approve creative files like packaging artwork, labels, branding assets, marketing collateral, etc. Specifically, it’s precious for CPG brands with frequent packaging & label changeovers and multiple stakeholders involved.

Key groups that can benefit significantly from online testimonials include:

1. CPG brand managers: Thus, as custodians of brand integrity, brand managers have the critical task of ensuring that packaging and labels properly adhere to brand guidelines, down to the smallest detail. As a result, review cycles involve internal teams and external organizations/suppliers, where there is a concerted effort to achieve equity.
2. Regulatory/legal teams: Compliance checkpoints now play an essential role before art files get the green light for production. So, these teams need a user-friendly way to navigate their review and approval process smoothly, ensuring all legal boxes are ticked before moving forward.
3. Packaging engineers: Now, even minor manufacturing flaws, such as discoloration or mismatched text, can be significant issues when the press hits the scales. Engineers rely on diagnostic tools to capture this information quickly, preventing costly mistakes.
4. Creative/agency teams: Creative and agency teams tasked with bringing creativity to life rely on artwork approval software to seamlessly incorporate input from multiple stakeholders. This software lets them quickly update their artifact files, reducing the need for lengthy analysis and ensuring efficient and consistent workflow.
5. Project managers: Because effective project management is essential, project managers require identification of project status, approval processes, and the ability to push stagnant reviews based on priorities. This visibility empowers them to keep projects moving, address challenges quickly, and maintain momentum for successful project completion.

Essentially, artwork approval software provides value for everyone who invests in the packaging artwork supply chain – from creators to regulators to business teams. It provides a dedicated online platform for collaborative approval throughout this process.

How Can Artwork Approval Software Help?

Label and artwork management software is intended to streamline the proofing approval workflow for packaging artwork, labels, branding assets, and other creative files. It solves all the major pain points that plague traditional email-based review cycles. Let’s explore the key features and capabilities that make it such a game-changer:

1. Enable seamless collaboration across internal teams, external agencies/suppliers, compliance reviewers, and other stakeholders: All eligible people are placed in a centralized online proofing environment. Feedback won’t get lost in separate email channels.
2. Robust version control capabilities: Make sure everyone is always working on the latest file changes. You can easily compare changes to see what changes have been made. 
3. Audit trail: Document any actions, comments, and decisions related to approvals made during the process. This advanced diagnostic capability makes it easier to identify problems, prove compliance, and understand why certain decisions were made.
4. File downloading and viewing permissions: User activity is restricted correctly based on workflow steps. This protects your digital assets from unintended sharing or premature leaks.
5. Insightful dashboards: Provide visualization of project status, approval processes, cycle times, and more. There are no more opaque “black boxes” surrounding artistic development.
6. Private commenting channels: Allow your internal team to talk “backward” without disrupting the main research thread. This is perfect for quick alignment before giving a summary.
7. Native plugins/extensions: Make installing apps like Adobe Photoshop foolproof, and start viewing and installing new versions directly from your creative tools.
8. Rich visual annotation & commenting capabilities: The administrator can directly add details, suggestions, and symbols to relevant areas of the evidence. There are no more ambiguities that need further clarification.
9. Attach reference files: Include their notes to provide meaningful design context. Throwing packaging dye-line into the mix makes alignment checks much more manageable.
10. Checklist features: To confirm mandatory pre-approval checks, you must meet branding guidelines, legal/regulatory compliance, and publishing issues.

So by using these top 10 artwork approval features, you can cut down revisions by 50% and significantly increase the project turnaround period.  

Kick Off Your Artwork Approval Process with GoVisually’s Software Today

In summary, relying on email for packaging review and approval solves chaos. Let’s face it: the constant back and forth, lack of context, loss of feedback, and lack of accountability add up quickly. Not to mention the high risk of falling into creating artistic flaws.

So, what is the solution? The answer lies in specialized design approval software that provides a centralized online proofing environment explicitly designed for creative content such as packaging files, branding, and assets.

With powerful features like visual presentation tools, automated version control, comprehensive audit trails, and enforceable approval workflows, this solution transforms an otherwise messy, opaque process into a transparent and creative collaboration that works well.

Now, what’s next? If streamlining stressful approval cycles by catching packaging mishaps before they’re done sounds appealing, it’s time to explore artwork approval software options. Tools like GoVisually streamline CPG for frequent packaging changes in many internal and external stakeholders. They are precisely tailored to meet the specific needs of the products.

By ditching those endless email threads in favor of a purpose-built online proofing system, your teams can save significant time while de-risking your entire artwork supply chain. Less rework, more accountability, smoother collaboration – these are some tangible benefits you can realize.

In conclusion, take a closer look at artwork approval software and see how it can transform a persistent organizational headache into a finely tuned process for your brand. Painless packaging approvals are undoubtedly well within reach with the right tool in place. 

Why not get started today with Label Artwork Approvals by GoVisually?

The post Emails Are Painful. Explore How Artwork Approval Software Can Transform Your Packaging Approval Process. appeared first on GoVisually.

The customers have tons of options right there, and creating a jaw-dropping product packaging is the only way to make them stop by. Your product’s packaging should capture attention, trigger emotional appeal, and visualize your brand’s value. 

But that’s not just it. 

Designing CPG packaging involves much more than just capturing customer attention. It requires a deep understanding of the market, developing strategies, and navigating technical constraints like guidelines. 

If you’re just getting started with CPG packaging, this guide will assist you through the ABCs of CPG package design. Here we will uncover basic CPG terms, factors, tips, trends, strategies, case studies, and guidelines. 

By the end of this guide, you will feel more confident and encouraged to create your next design for CPG packaging. So let’s get started!

What is CPG packaging?

Packaging for consumer packaged goods (CPG) goes beyond encasing the product in a box; it involves an approach. Why is that? Let’s delve into it!

The packaging of CPG serves as the encounter with the brand. Acts as a persuasive tool as the consumers walk through the store aisles. Basically, it is a storyteller that creates  a connection between your brand and consumers.

In short, the packaging of a product is something that draws an emotional appeal between customers and the product. It strategically communicates brand messages to attract like-minded customers to the product. 

For instance, consumers are more inclined to buy a product that promotes sustainable packaging. Infact, Roland Berger’s latest report found 7x growth for CPG companies promoting sustainable packaging.

And due to the rising customer preferences, sustainable packaging material will increase by 11 million tonnes by the year 2030.

Today, the consumers are aware of environmental issues, and they resonate with brands that promote environmentally friendly  packaging.

And that’s how CPG packaging speaks to the customers and impacts their purchase decision.

Do you know that 70% of consumers decide what to buy solely based on packaging, and 63% say that packaging design impacts their purchase decisions? Indeed, packaging plays an enormous role in the eye-catching delivery of the brand’s message and its influence on purchases.

CPG Packaging Design Process

The CPG Packaging design process is a step-by-step strategic approach to understand the consumer persona, brainstorm ideas & strategies and execute it all into an appealing and pretty packaging design. So if you mindfully follow the below steps, you can create packaging designs that always convert. 

Here’s the roadmap to creating compelling designs for CPG packaging.

1. Research and Discovery

Every good design process starts with thorough research. So, understand the product: concept, essence, aim, and the USP. Dwell on the market trends, but most importantly, understand your target audience. What appeals to them? What is their preference? This way, the stage is set for power in design.

2. Brainstorming and Ideation

Summon the creative team, pull the sketchpads, and let the ideas come out. But why? Because ideation is the birthplace of innovative designs. Consider several concepts, try different color combinations, and visualize how the design would complement the product and the brand identity.

3. Idea Development

Refine the ideas that came during your brainstorming session. Afterward, develop strong candidates about the brand message, the audience, and product attributes. What is needed? Remember that each concept should have a storyline and strike the exact emotions.

4. Design Execution

Refined concepts in hand—time to bring them to life. How? For that, select a design software and illustrators or graphic artists with meticulous attention to detail. Additionally, colors, typography, imagery—every element shall work harmoniously to ensure a visually stunning package.

5. Prototyping: From Screen to Reality

The next step is to create physical prototypes before going into mass production. Because this will enable you to consider size, texture, and the general look and feel. Also, these critical checks guarantee that the design translates seamlessly from the digital to a natural product. Therefore, it is a crucial step to follow. 

6. Test the Concept with Consumers

Now, put these designs in front of your target audience. And how to track it? You can use focus groups or questionnaires to determine how consumers react to the concept. Consider: what do they like or dislike? Therefore this feedback is invaluable to the adjustments that will be made to the design.

7. Finalization – Refinement and Preparations

It is most important to take consumer testing feedback and make the necessary adjustments to finalize the design. This will help you understand what your consumers are looking for. After this, cooperate closely with the production teams to ensure the design is feasible for mass production. To put it briefly, the practical details are as important as the attractiveness of the design. You might agree to this!

8. Production and Printing

With the final design in place, it is time to give the green light to production. How this could be done? Packaging designers and engineers should work closely with printing and manufacturing partners. This will ensure the design is appropriately translated into the packaging materials. This means quality control will be the order of the day at this point.

9. Launch and Monitor

As soon as the package hits the shelves, follow the consumer responses. Measure your sales, gather feedback post-launch, and measure how well the package contributes to your product’s success. Hence, you can use these metrics to develop and advance your next design.

10. Iteration and Evolution

CPG packaging is a dynamic place. Why we are saying this? Well, consumer preferences change, market trends vary, and your brand might make a turn. So, be dynamic and ready to modify the design. Your packaging can remain relevant and impactful by introducing continuous improvement into the process.

Why is CPG Packaging Design Important?

You might have a good design for your products that are doing good. But, why should still consider the supreme design for your product? Because CPG packaging design is crucial for various reasons. Let’s explore some key aspects that highlight its significance:

1. Attract attention

The consumer market is hypercompetitive, what could help you there? There comes the packaging design which is the foremost factor in attracting consumers’ attention. A point to remember: packaging that is of a high aesthetic level and attractive on the shelf will help stand out and grasp a potential buyer’s attention. It’s obvious! And hence, it will increase the chances of purchase.

2. Brand perception

You know what people consider when buying? They prefer what the product represents than what the brand says it does. Let’s understand it more precisely. According to research by Nielsen: 

• 64% of consumers are usually open to new products based on the packaging, 
• With 41% of them probably swayed to making repeat purchases, depending on the packaging. 

What to understand from this report? This underscores that packaging design has a role in shaping the consumers’ perceptions regarding a brand. And, a good image of a brand and its products can be cast by the visually appealing and well-designed design.

3. Emotional connection

There are several researches emphasizing the importance of branding and creating an emotional connection with customers. Studies say humans are guided by emotion rather than mere reasoning. Hence, emotions play an important role in consumer decision-making.

So, brands can build trust by understanding the emotional needs of their target audience and having a positive experience. And you know what, Dr. Shields warned that neglecting to create an emotionally charged environment can be harmful to patients. This principle applies to all businesses that seek long-term customer relationships.

4. Shelf appeal

 The packaging design sometimes becomes a key shelf-impact indicator in view of very competitive and cluttered retailing. That’s impressive! But, how’s that possible? The Point of Purchase and Advertisement Institute says that 70% of purchasing decisions occur at the point of purchase. Therefore, good packaging that catches the eye and communicates the product value significantly increases consumers’ chances of being noticed and chosen. 

5. Social media engagement

Here comes the most exciting step of every business and sometimes the more hectic one! Getting social media engagement. So, let’s understand this way. Packaging designs that are attractive, unique, or innovative, look distinctive and stand out from others, and gain the most sharing across social media. In support of this, we found a study.

According to Dotcom Distribution, 40% of consumers are likely to share images of the package on social media if they find the design interesting. This is very common in millennials and GenZs. This can for sure lead to increased brand exposure and word-of-mouth marketing.

6. Sustainability in packaging

 Among numerous consumers, you might encounter those who support the environment. Therefore, at this time you should encourage sustainability in your packaging. Let’s talk through the numbers!

According to research conducted by GlobalWebIndex, 57% of consumers claim they are willing to pay higher prices for products packed in environmentally friendly packages. Great, isn’t it? So, brands that encourage sustainable packaging design will attract a growing segment of environmentally conscious consumers. Stay green, smart, and sustain the future with your packaging!

Best CPG Packaging Examples to Learn From

Grasping the impact of the best CPG packaging on the consumer psyche becomes more apparent when one delves deeper into exceptional examples that have set high standards in the industry. Let’s check out a few of the best CPG packaging designs that have captivated the consumer.

1. Apple

Apple’s packaging is unique and keeps the look clean and sleek, offering a luxurious feel to their customers. The clean white boxes are combined with very high-quality images of the product, which makes the package look stylish. 

This design is aligned directly with Apple’s focus on simplicity and innovation; it embodies a premium unboxing experience that appeals to consumers and maintains the image of a luxurious technology vendor. 

The attention to detail in packing reflects a brand’s commitment to excellence in the entire consumer journey.

2. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola thinks differently when it comes to packaging. For example, materials, recyclability, reusability, and environmental impact are considered. Currently, different packaging materials such as plastic, aluminum, glass and composite materials each have their own advantages and disadvantages. But Coca-Cola is working hard to develop more sustainable strategies. Also, people are encouraged to choose reusable bottles and cups to help the environment and reduce waste.

Also, the brand decided to take action by setting a ‘Virgin plastic reduction goal. What is it? Basically, the goal aims to reduce the use of non-renewable plastics by 3 million metric tons over the next five years. By 2025, the brand hopes to use about 20% less virgin plastic based on business growth.

3. Oatly

As for clever packaging design, Swedish oat milk brand Oatly has taken the lead. How exactly? 

It uses cartoon illustrations and offbeat copywriting to create a playful, arresting, and utterly memorable look. It’s pretty, no doubt!

The packaging makes the shelves shine. Additionally, it helps in selling products by ensuring an eye-catching design and reinforcing the brand’s claim of an approachable and appealing character.

However, the design of Ottley’s packaging gives them the pleasure of building a close relationship with customers. 

It also stands out as a fantastic example of how cool ideas can boost a brand’s visibility, and customer engagement.

4. Method

A bold and unconventional vision inspired it; household cleaning brand Method knows how to make a statement with its packaging. 

Vibrant and eye-catching designs, sleek bottle shapes, and sleek typography create a modern and visually appealing aesthetic. No doubt in that!

Not only does this unique packaging make Method stand out on shelves, but it also conveys a sense of innovation and freshness. 

Also, with its clean and modern look, the packaging reflects the brand’s commitment to effective cleaning. It also communicates a contemporary and stylish image. 

This sums up that that packaging design can elevate a brand’s identity and presence in the market.

5. Glossier

Now there’s Glossier: the cult beauty brand with simple, Instagram-friendly packaging. By Instagram, we mean the trendy, attention seeking CPG packaging. 

The clean, simple product packaging fit hand in glove with the Glossier mantra of effortlessness in beauty and a fresh, youthful aesthetic. 

The beautiful packaging definitely makes it worth the purchase.

This is a perfect case of how sensitive and aesthetic packing design leads to the creation of an identity of a brand. Also how it wins the loyalty of consumers who appreciate the combination of simplicity with a sense of fashion.

6. RXBAR

RXBAR, the protein bar label, every fitness freak must know. It made its brand recognizable via the transparent packing. 

Thus uncovering all the consumers whose glance has slid on its natural ingredients. 

The packaging form only screams transparency and vibrates through the brand’s slogan: authenticity and simplicity. 

See how!

The logo and clear characters used on the packaging show the brand’s commitment to purity of ingredients. So, it shows their commitment to deliver high quality.

7. Nutella

Who doesn’t love chocolate? There comes Nutella, a brand which is everybody’s favorite.

Just look at the simple yet defined packaging. 

The Nutella brand silhouette, bottle and bold red logo are instantly recognizable. 

They exude joy, happiness, and reflect Nutella’s status as the most delicious and beloved spread.

Thus, Nutella, in its distinct jar shape, is forever linked with the experience of enjoying this delightful experience, creating a solid visual association. 

Thus, the choice of packaging is an excellent example of what design can be when competently and characterfully carried out. 

It helps to identify the brand and communicate the essence of the product visually and emotionally, reaching consumers in multiple channels.

Tips to Create the Best CPG Packaging Designs

Creating top-tier CPG packaging designs requires careful planning, creativity, and an understanding of your target audience and brand identity. Here are some tips for achieving excellent results: 

• Understand your audience: Research your preferences and demographics. Then, create designs that connect emotionally with your target market.
• Reflect brand identity: Align design with brand personality, values, and aesthetics. This includes color palette, type, and imagery, in order to reflect brand identity.
• Keep it simple: Use readable typographies, organized layouts, and intuitive visuals. It will help with essential product information because clarity is crucial in a cluttered market. Do you agree?
• Differentiate yourself from competitors: It could be done by incorporating eye-catching designs that utilize bold colors, unique shapes, and creative illustrations. So, ensure that these designs remain relevant to existing brands while also standing out.
• Consider how things work: Make sure the design is attractive and functional. Because ease of use, resealability, and durability are some factors that create a good user experience.
• Choose quality materials: Choose materials that match your brand and reflect the sustainable options for eco-conscious consumers.
• Tell a story: Use visuals, graphics, and copywriting to contribute to unique selling propositions, brand stories, or product benefit claims that create emotional connections.
• Test and iterate: Collect feedback, perform small-scale tests, and respond by refining designs.
• Go green: How about using materials in your packaging that are friendly to the environment? Stand on it and you will get the thumbs up!
• Remain current: Keeping up with the fads and inclinations of design and taste is essential. The packaging must be reviewed and refreshed regularly to look captivating and live to the consumer.

Strategies for CPG Packaging With Case Studies

For any business, nothing could help without a case study. If you too want to have a glance over how other brands played with their packaging, let’s figure them out! 

Here are a few tactics the big companies use, with some examples of how they work, to spark  bright packaging ideas:  

1. Telling stories on the packaging 

The most famous of all nowadays. Many big brands use the packaging to connect more with customers by telling stories.   

Like Patagonia, the outdoor clothes company. What they did?

They put tags on their product, talking about where it came from, what it’s made of, and how it impacts the environment.

It jives with their sustainability and connects with people who care about that.

2. Personalization 

Who doesn’t like personalized products? Personalization is a huge deal these days. Brands that let you customize your packaging make the experience more memorable for customers. 

It’s like this super neat thing they can do just for you. 

The “Share a Coke” campaign was successful for several reasons. One of them was how to make their own.

Personalized names printed on Coke bottles and cans gave customers a more personalized experience.

This moreover, created a strong bond with the brand and a sense of ownership plus exclusivity.

The campaign launched in Australia, and it was a hit! Sales were up 7%, plus more than 250,000 individual bottles of Coke flew off shelves in the first three months.

3. Limited edition and seasonal packaging

Limited edition or seasonal packaging can get customers pumped up. Why not? Well, it’s like an exclusive club that people want to be part of!

Starbucks and their famous red holiday cups have people practically counting down the days until Christmas.

As soon as you see someone walking around with one of those red cups in their hands, you know the holidays have arrived.

It’s definitely a clever way for brands to generate hype around everyday products.

What are your thoughts on this?

4. Minimalist and sustainable packaging

You know which companies can connect with customers? 

The one which care about using less packaging and stuff that doesn’t hurt the environment and can connect with customers who also care about that.  

For example, Lush. It is a makeup and soap company that tries not to use a bunch of packaging so there’s less trash.

Many of their products don’t even come in packaging. They do that because they want to help the environment, not just as some marketing ploy.

Hence, the people who buy from Lush appreciate that they’re not just talking about being green.

So we’ve got a perfect lesson from this case study.

Focusing on ways your business can reduce waste can be worthwhile if you believe in it.

Let’s focus on less is more funda as it is a future in CPG packaging.

5. Interactive packaging and gamification

There are some brands who take out a kid in everyone. Have you ever encountered with any such brand? We will talk about it later in this section itself!

When companies use fun activities or game-like features on their product packaging, they make shopping more memorable and fun for people. 

Lay’s had a “Do Us a Flavor” event, asking people to develop new chip tastes. Felt nostalgic? Yes, that was amazing!

The best ones were made and put on unique bags. This made shoppers want to interact with Lay’s and pick the taste they liked best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue8gkFcAME4

6. Functional and convenient packaging

Packaging that’s easy to use and handy can make customers happy and keep them coming back.

For instance, Amazon packaging that is a breeze to open, cuts down on trash, and keeps items safe while they’re being mailed.

This attention to what the customer needs has helped build Amazon’s fame for putting customers first.

FDA guidelines for CPG packaging 

Here comes the most important section. If you are thinking of doing some amendments in your packaging or want to make a new one, consider the following FDA guideline.

Because, the FDA is responsible for setting the rules for packaged food in the US. 

Have a look at these FDA packaging regulations to sell your food products legally.

1.Labeling Guidelines 

The FDA demands clear labels when it comes to consumer packaged goods (CPG). Ofcourse, the consumer would want it too! Brands must give comprehensive information on the product. What’s in it, the nutritional details, any allergens present, and any claims the company makes. In short, the label information must be straightforward, correct, and easy to read.

2. Nutrition Facts Panel

CPG items are supposed to display a nutrition facts panel. This tells consumers what nutrients are in the product – how much energy it gives, fats, sugars, protein, and various vitamins and minerals. So, the way this information is presented should follow the FDA’s design rules.

3. Ensuring Food Safety for All

Companies must disclose any significant allergens in their products. It’s important! This includes milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, nuts, peanuts, wheat, or soy ingredients. 

4. Honest and Scientifically Supported Claims

When it comes to health and nutrition, the FDA closely monitors statements made by consumer products. So, claims such as “low fat” or “high in fiber” must be truthful, not deceptive, and backed by scientific evidence.

5. Types of Packaging

The FDA regulates the materials used to package consumer goods, especially foods and drinks. These rules ensure packaging doesn’t pose any risks and keeps the contents from getting tainted.

6. Amount of Food Inside

This is the total amount of food you get, shown by how much it weighs, how big it is, or how many pieces there are.

7. Who Made or Packaged It

The food’s wrapping must have the name and address of the person or company that made it or packaged it. You’ll see the maker’s or packager’s name with words like “made for” or “packed by,” plus an address listing where they are located.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this blog post provided the ultimate packaging designer’s guide to CPG packaging. 

As a result, we explored key points such as the importance of packaging, the psychological effects of packaging, how to approach sustainable packaging and what etc. 

By understanding packaging design, you can unlock the full potential of your packaging to increase sales. 

Ready to take your packaging game to the next level? 

Now that you’ve internalized this knowledge, it’s time to boost the power of design and take action. 

Start experimenting with new packaging techniques and use our guide as a reference. 

Remember that your packaging design can subconsciously influence a customer’s perception of your product, so make sure it truly captures your company’s mission and values.

Continue your journey by checking out our new blog posts on design and packaging.

Stay ahead of the curve and promote your brand presence with our expert advice. 

Ready to upgrade your packaging? 

Get started today!

The post The Complete Guide to CPG Packaging appeared first on GoVisually.

However, designing a landing page entails more than just throwing content and photos together.

To achieve success and convert leads is all about a thoughtful approach, an understanding of your intended audience, and a bit of creativity.

But don’t worry. I’ve created this guide to explain the 8 simplest things you can do to take your landing page from 0 to hero!

Let’s begin!

Importance of a well-designed landing page

Imagine this:

After putting endless effort into your marketing campaign, you have successfully generated substantial traffic to your website.

But what good are those visitors if they don’t do anything?

This is where a high-converting landing page can help.

A well-designed landing page functions similarly to a good salesperson. It captures your visitors’ attention, piques their curiosity, and persuades them to proceed. This is your opportunity to convert casual browsers into committed clients.

But why is it so important to prioritize conversions? 

Well, conversions are the heart and soul of your company. They are the fuel that powers your engine. 

Without leads, your sales funnel dries up, and your chances of growth plummet.

Whereas a high-converting landing page generates more prospects and more leads generate more potential sales.

It’s a simple equation. Who doesn’t want their company to prosper and succeed?

8 simple tips to design a landing page

Now, designing a landing page that converts isn’t so difficult.

It’s all about knowing your target, communicating their language, and addressing their concerns.

Here are some tips to help you create a killer landing page.

1. Understand your audience

It’s essential to thoroughly comprehend your target demographic before designing a landing page that converts leads. You may design a landing page that resonates with customers personally by establishing a deep understanding of their pain points, desires, and preferences.

Discovering their problems and difficulties should be the first step. Put yourself in their shoes and figure out what keeps them awake at night. You can present your product or service as the solution they’ve sought by addressing their specific problems.

Next, inquire about their desires and goals.

What are their ambitions and dreams?

This will help you develop a message that speaks directly to their objectives and demonstrates how your product can help them attain their desired outcomes by tapping into their motivations.

Conduct thorough research using surveys, interviews, and social media monitoring to receive information directly from your target market. Use customer feedback and testimonials to understand why potential leads connect with your product and establish credibility.

You can develop a landing page that seems personal, relatable, and appealing if you know your target demographic inside and out. This personal connection increases the likelihood of converting visitors into valuable leads, resulting in business growth and success.

2. Make a headline that grabs the attention

How to write landing page copy?

Well, there are several elements involved, including a well-crafted headline. 

Your landing page’s headline is the first thing visitors will see, so it must immediately grab their attention. It’s your chance to make an excellent first impression and entice them to continue exploring. 

To do this, your title should be engaging, exciting, and targeted to your target audience’s interests. You can use language that piques people’s interest while emphasizing the benefits or solutions your product or service provides. 

You can compel your readers to continue reading and take the appropriate action by designing a headline that resonates with their needs and desires. To do this, choose solid and convincing words that elicit emotion and generate a sense of urgency.

Words like “discover,” “uncover,” “transform,” “exclusive,” or “limited-time offer” might pique your visitors’ interest and pique their curiosity.

Although the headline carries significance, you can also enhance its impact by incorporating suitable visual elements. 

3. Make a solid call to action (CTA)

A compelling call to action is one of the most essential features of a landing page for converting visitors to leads on your landing page. You want visitors to act, whether signing up, purchasing something or asking for more information.

Here are some practical tips for creating an eye-catching CTA:

• Use eye-catching colors and design elements complimenting your overall page design to make your CTA button stand out. 
• Choose your words carefully. Instead of generic phrases such as “Submit” or “Click Here,” use more appealing language that encourages action. 
• Your call to action (CTA) should be interactive and clickable. Also, adapt your CTA for mobile devices, making it simple for people on various devices to tap or click on.
• Don’t settle for the first CTA that comes to mind; instead, test and refine. Experiment with several variations to see what works best for your target demographic.

4. Maintain a clean and focused design.

When it comes to landing page design, simplicity is crucial. Avoid clutter and distractions, which can make visitors feel overwhelmed.

Here’s how you can do that: 

• Choose a minimalist layout that highlights crucial elements. Highlight the title, advantages, and call to action while eliminating distracting elements.
• White space promotes structure and allows visitors to assimilate information readily, including lots of white space on the landing page. 
• Create a clear visual hierarchy to guide visitors through your page. Use font sizes, colors, and formatting to highlight key areas. You can find several landing page templates to help you with this. 
• For a consistent and professional appearance, stick to your brand’s colors, typefaces, and artwork, which fosters trust and familiarity. 
• Make sure your landing page performs appropriately on mobile devices.

5. Use high-quality, optimized visuals

Here are some tips to ensure high-quality and lasting visuals:

• Impress your visitors with high-quality photographs that accurately represent your brand. Choose sharp, compelling pictures that will leave a lasting impression.
• A well-crafted video can be a highly effective persuasion tool. Grab viewers’ attention with captivating videos demonstrating your product or service.
• Use eye-catching visuals and icons to sprinkle some creative charm. Use them to draw attention to important information, provide visual appeal, and create a memorable experience.
• Ensure your images reflect your brand’s tone, personality, and style.
• Nobody wants a slow website, so ensure your visuals are optimized without compromising quality.

6. Emphasize your value proposition

Every brand has a unique selling proposition. To ensure that your landing page covers, you need to communicate the distinct benefits and value your solution provides. 

To do this, identify your target audience’s pain points and explain how your solution can alleviate their problems or fulfill their goals.

You can use clear and customer-centric language to demonstrate why your service is the best option for them. You need to make this about how the product/service can benefit consumers and make their lives easier.

7. Incorporate social proof and reviews

Social proof is an effective strategy for establishing trust and credibility. Interestingly, you can boost conversions by 270% using customer testimonials. This is because your audience trusts the word of the buyer like them.

This means including the following :

• Testimonials,
• Reviews,
• Case studies,
• Client logos

This ensures the visitors’ confidence and likelihood of conversion increase when they see social proof that they are making the right decision by picking your offering.

8. Mobile responsiveness

Did you know that mobile devices account for 54.4% of all website traffic in today’s digital landscape?

With the increased use of mobile devices, your landing page must be mobile-responsive.

To ensure a seamless and hassle-free browsing experience on mobile devices, it is crucial to conduct tests of your webpage across various screen sizes and devices.

By utilizing a mobile-responsive design, your website can attract a wider audience and prevent potential leads from leaving due to a bad mobile browsing experience.

Review your designs faster with GoVisually

Remember, the aim is to produce an engaging and persuasive user experience consistent with your brand.

So don’t be afraid to experiment, refine, and analyze your landing pages to determine what works best for your target audience.

And if you want to get fast approvals on your landing page design and content, use GoVisually to 5x your workflow.

Don’t believe me?

Well, seeing is believing.

So see it for yourself by signing up for our demo today!

The post 8 simple tips for designers to design a landing page appeared first on GoVisually.

That’s because corporate hierarchies and decision-making processes can slow the workflow, causing delays and hindering project progress. However, you can navigate corporate structures and streamline the design approval process by implementing a straightforward design approval process.

In this article, we’ll learn the following:

• Why are design approvals necessary?
• The importance of understanding corporate hierarchies and how they impact the review process.
• Practical tips and approaches for working with corporate clients to secure faster design approvals.
• And the secret ingredient you need for faster design approvals.

Let’s begin!

Why are design approvals necessary?

Design approvals play a crucial role in the success of corporate projects.

Picture this: you’ve poured your heart and soul into crafting a stunning design that perfectly captures the essence of a company’s brand. It’s like a masterpiece, carefully tailored to their vision and goals.

But here’s the catch – without timely approval from the corporate client, that masterpiece may collect dust in your portfolio.

So, why are design approvals so significant?

Well, they serve as the green light for progress. They are the ones that allow your creative efforts to get the official stamp of approval, signaling that it’s time to move forward with the project. 

Corporate clients have processes, procedures, plicated hierarchies, and decision-makers, all with individual opinions and preferences. But it’s not that easy to get your design approved. It can sometimes feel like navigating a maze of challenges.

That’s why working with corporate clients to obtain faster design approvals requires a bit of finesse. It’s about understanding their world and aligning your creativity with their expectations. 

Regular meetings, open dialogue, and shared expectations create a strong foundation for collaboration. You become a trusted partner, someone they can rely on and bounce ideas off of. It’s like unlocking many opportunities when you finally crack their code and establish clear communication channels.

Of course, feedback is an essential part of this creative process. It’s not just about receiving feedback but showing the client you value their input and are ready to adapt and improve. Streamlining the design and approval process is essential to ensure effective collaboration between the team and the clients. This is where design and approval tools come in!

But, before we get into the tool, let’s find the answer to how to get approval from corporate clients.

7 steps to understanding corporate hierarchies

In the corporate world, decision-making often involves multiple stakeholders with varying levels of authority. To successfully navigate this landscape, it’s essential to understand the structure and dynamics of corporate hierarchies. 

Each level within the hierarchy carries different decision-making powers and responsibilities. Identifying significant influencers and decision-makers within the organization can help you target your efforts to gain their approval and support.

Here are some of the steps you can take to understand corporate hierarchies and make review process easy.

1. Research the company and requirements 

First things first, research is critical to a successful approval process.

Learning information about the client’s approval process and taking the time to understand their unique way of doing things can help you find the perfect way to execute an adequate review and approval process. 

Another critical aspect of the creative and approval process is ensuring punctuality. You need to know when things need to happen. Is it a tight deadline or a more relaxed timeframe? With this knowledge, you can plan your creative endeavors accordingly and ensure you’re on track to meet their expectations.

Understanding the corporate client’s process is like embarking on an exciting adventure. It’s a complicated journey that requires you to seek knowledge to unravel the unknown while building connections.

2. Build strong team relationships

Establishing strong relationships and fostering trust with corporate clients is crucial for expediting design approvals. 

Take the time to understand their organizational culture, values, and objectives. You should actively listen to their needs and concerns and demonstrate a genuine interest in their success. Building rapport and trust increases the likelihood of receiving prompt feedback and approvals.

3. Seamless and timely communication

Corporate clients often have very hectic and busy schedules. Communicating your ideas and proposals clearly and concisely ensures faster design approvals.

You should present your designs in a way that highlights their benefits and aligns with the client’s objectives. You can use visual aids, such as mockups and prototypes, to visually represent your concepts. Remember to focus on the most critical aspects that require approval to avoid overwhelming the client with excessive details.

4. Establish expectations 

Setting clear expectations and deadlines upfront is critical to streamlining the design approval process. 

Communicate the project timeline, milestones, and deliverables. You should ensure the client understands their role in providing feedback and approvals within specified timeframes. Creating a sense of urgency and accountability can motivate clients to prioritize and expedite the approval process.

5. Streamline feedback

Efficiently managing feedback and revisions is crucial for obtaining faster design approvals. 

It’s essential to provide clear guidelines on how the client can give feedback, highlighting specific areas or elements that require attention. You can encourage them to shorten their feedback into concise and actionable points. This will help you avoid unnecessary back-and-forth exchanges and facilitate a more streamlined approval process.

6. Engage key decision-makers early

Identifying and involving key decision-makers early in the design approval process can significantly speed up the workflow.

You can gain insightful information and address their concerns by engaging with them from the beginning. This proactive approach reduces the likelihood of significant revisions or roadblocks further along.

7. Use collaboration tools

Technology can be a valuable tool in streamlining design approvals with corporate clients. 

Utilize collaboration tools, project management software, and design review platforms to streamline communication, gather feedback, and track progress. This is where GoVisually comes to your rescue!

GoVisually – #1 online proofing software

Wondering how to get reviews from clients?

The answer is GoVisually.

GoVisually is one of the leading online proofing software that allows you to collaborate seamlessly with corporate clients, streamline design and infographic reviews, and get those approvals quickly.

With GoVisually, you can quickly speed up the review process to ensure the timely delivery of the final product. 

8 top features that make GoVisually perfect for getting faster design approvals from corporate clients

• You can proof any file type

GoVisually offers a simple and intuitive platform for proofing and collaboration. You and your corporate clients can upload design files in various formats such as PNG, JPG, PSD, PDF, and even video formats like MP4 and GIF.

• Share project review links.

With GoVisually, sharing design reviews with corporate clients is a breeze. Simply generate a project review link and share it with multiple reviewers. This eliminates the need for lengthy email threads and ensures all stakeholders can access the designs in one centralized location.

• Categorize and label versions.

Organizing design revisions is crucial when working with corporate clients. GoVisually lets you sort versions into categories and label them according to individual requirements. This feature enables clear communication and makes it easier for corporate clients to track changes and provide precise feedback.

• Easy to use UI for smooth communication and collaboration

GoVisually streamlines communication between your team and corporate clients. Marketing professionals receive email notifications about client comments, ensuring no feedback goes unnoticed. Plus, previous interactions and discussions are conveniently accessible on the sidebar. This allows you to review the project’s history quickly.

• Private comments and file attachments

GoVisually enables designers to add private comments and attach files for internal teams. This feature lets you have internal discussions and share relevant information without exposing sensitive details to corporate clients. This way, GoVisually fosters efficient collaboration and ensures that your team stays informed throughout the approval process.

• Mobile accessibility

Corporate clients are often on the move, and being able to access designs and provide feedback remotely is crucial. GoVisually offers mobile applications, allowing corporate clients to review and approve plans wherever they are. This feature enhances flexibility and speeds up the approval process by eliminating unnecessary delays.

• Adobe CC integration

Many designers rely on Adobe Creative Cloud to bring their creative visions to life. That’s why GoVisually offers a seamless integration as an Adobe Extension. Integrating GoVisually with Adobe Creative Cloud allows you to access GoVisually’s features and functionalities directly within your favorite Adobe applications. 

• Third-party integrations with 1000+ other apps

GoVisually is a versatile platform that integrates with several other collaboration and project management tools to ensure effective collaboration among team members and clients.

The tool offers a range of third-party integrations that enhance your workflow and allow you to work with your preferred tools. Whether it’s project management software like Asana or communication platforms like Slack, GoVisually integrates smoothly to ensure you can collaborate effectively and keep everyone in the loop.

Final word

In the fast-paced design world, collaborating with corporate clients to streamline design approvals requires a blend of communication, understanding, and the right tools.

Remember, you can simplify the approval process and deliver outstanding results by fostering transparent communication channels and leveraging efficient design collaboration platforms. 

So don’t forget to sign up for GoVisually’s free trial today to boost your productivity and efficiency.

The post How to work with corporate clients to get faster design approvals? appeared first on GoVisually.