7. Product development
Why packaging development should be a key element of your system
Graphic design and artwork control isn’t just for packaging sites
The standards
This article is written to meet the following sections of the Standards:
| BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 | 5.2.1 Product labelling |
| BRCGS Packaging Issue 6 | 5.2 Graphic design and artwork control |
| BRCGS Agents & Brokers Issue 3 |
None |
| BRCGS Storage & Distribution Issue 4 | None |
| FSSC22000 Version 6 | 2.5.2 d) i, ii Product labeling and printed materials |
| IFS Food Version 8 | None |
| SQF Edition 9 | None |
The requirements
Artwork procedure
An artwork development procedure must be in place which:
- Identifies the steps in the artwork development process.
- Responsibilities at each step.
- Sign off.
The steps in the process must include:
- A design brief.
- Artwork proofs and mock-ups.
- Traceability of equipment and media.
Design brief
The design brief ensures that all parties are clear on:
- The design.
- Pack copy text and any logos (including trademarks).
- Print marks.
- Cutter guides.
- Font and font sizes.
- Legal requirements.
- Physical parameters.
Artwork proofs and mock ups
The procedure must outline the verification process of artwork and mock-ups, including the final approval process.
Each step in the verification process must be documented, with any amendments required.
Formal and documented approval of the artwork or mock-up must be achieved prior to first production of the packaging. Where approval is not received from the customer, there must be evidence that approval has been requested.
It’s acceptable for the final approval to be based on samples from trials or first off samples from the first production run, if requested by the customer.
Traceability of print equipment and reproduction media
Traceability of all materials and media associated with a piece of packaging must be in place, to ensure that trials, first production and ongoing production meets the agreed specification and pack copy.
This can be achieved through job codes or references on the media or equipment. Where a job code or reference changes throughout the development process, there must be traceability links between them.
Where there is a change to the media or equipment, such as an update to a piece of artwork, the job code or reference must change, to ensure that the most up to date version is always being used.
BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9
5.2.1 A procedure is now needed for artwork approval.
There’s also been an addition to the interpretation regarding customer branded products, to ensure that the accountability for artwork approval is clear.
Product development
eLearning and documentation for your QMS
Our mini eLearning course will give you a robust understanding of how to develop and implement a product development procedure and system. It’s ideal for product development managers and technologists. The course is built around a 6-stage gate product development process, which includes product, packaging and artwork development.
Our eDocs will provide you with a product development system, structured around a detailed procedure. This pack is ideal for those with a good understanding of the requirements of the standards with regards to product development, and is designed to save time.
The new version of the Pantone book (published 2023) seems to be out of specs with regards to colours. Just check in an audit “old version” against “new version” and you might recognize the difference. The interesting question is – what is specified between customer and supplier (what is defined as reference to the “standard colour”?). If Pantone book is specified – which version? If the company refers to the digital Pantone colours – that is safe. if it refers to the printed book – questions should be asked.
@Carol – it is always an interesting question which version of a design had been released by the customer? Is it really a release of a defined version of the design or just “the design of article xx” had been released without reference to the version?
Nice summary – little message from the packaging sector to the food sector – printers do not check your copy – they check print quality and design (often by number) to your master (by reference issue), its your responsibility to make sure the correct allergens are listed / correct pack size./ correct address etc
Always ask for a new design version for even a small change, and differing substrates means the same colour ink will vary – so your PET colour print will never match your paper copy.
Seems obvious ? – all non conformances I have come across sent to packaging suppliers this year.