Cosmetic artwork handoff should identify exactly which bottle, label and carton files are approved for production. Give the printer a release list with the format, SKU, template revision and approved file for each item. Do not assume the newest attachment in an email thread is the authorised master.
Match artwork to the actual components
Check supplier references for the bottle, closure, label and outer carton. A label that fits one bottle capacity may not fit another with a similar silhouette. For a hypothetical serum launch, record the bottle drawing and carton dieline separately; a shared product name does not make them interchangeable.
Close the copy and finish decisions
The responsible business should approve product wording and applicable regulatory information. Separately record print colours, white layers and finishing instructions using the printer’s specifications. Do not use a glossy mockup as the only instruction for foil or varnish: the production artwork must identify what the supplier needs to reproduce.
Make approval traceable
Keep the proof seen by the approver with the actual released production file. If a correction is made after approval, issue a new version and obtain the appropriate reapproval.
Studio perspective
The studio recommendation is one named release owner and one clear destination folder, with superseded files kept outside it.
Practical review checklist
- Component references
- Approved copy version
- Supplier-confirmed separations
- Release list and sign-off
Related design decisions
For the wider project, read Packaging Artwork for Print: What Designers Need From Your Printer and Cosmetic Packaging Design UK: How to Build Shelf Appeal and Trust.
Frequently asked questions
Does design approval mean compliance approval?
No. Record the responsible business’s copy and compliance review separately.
Can a render be sent instead of artwork?
No. A render explains appearance, not the production separations and dimensions.
What if the printer changes a file?
Request the changed proof and agree who must approve it before production.
Plan the next step
Explore Y NOT TONY’s cosmetic packaging design service and view the Keratin Revolution project for a published example of the studio’s work. The examples described in this guide are illustrative, not reported client outcomes.
Ready to scope a project? Request a project quote with the formats, variants, available files and intended launch date.