ManageArtworks alternative: why teams switch to Cway

Looking for the top ManageArtworks alternatives in 2025? In this article, we’ll explore why brands are switching from ManageArtworks, compare its core features head-to-head with Cway Software, and highlight how Cway’s intuitive artwork approval, integrated DAM, and real-time collaboration can streamline your packaging workflows and boost productivity.

What Is ManageArtworks and Who Is It Suitable For?

ManageArtworks is an artwork management system designed for brands and agencies handling packaging, labels, and marketing collateral. With features like routing, approvals, and structured workflows, it targets medium to large enterprises seeking a robust, compliance-focused platform. However, its comprehensive feature set often comes with a steep learning curve and higher price point, which may not fit every organization’s budget or usability needs.

Suitable for:

• Enterprises with complex compliance requirements

• Teams with dedicated admin resources to configure and maintain the system

• Industries like food & beverage, consumer packaged goods, and pharmaceuticals
  
  

Why Companies Are Looking for Alternatives

Even with its deep functionality, several factors prompt brands to explore ManageArtworks alternatives:

1. Complex Interface: New users often report a steep learning curve navigating the system’s menus and workflows.

2. Price: Licensing and customization costs can be prohibitive for small to mid-sized teams.

3. Lack of Modern Features: Real-time collaboration, report dashboards, and browser-based proofing are increasingly expected.

4. Siloed DAM: Separate DAM modules mean toggling between systems rather than a unified workflow.

Switching to a more intuitive, cost-effective platform can improve adoption rates, reduce training overhead, and bring day-one ROI. Before committing to a migration, it’s crucial to pinpoint which capabilities—like seamless proofing, stakeholder collaboration, and integrated asset management—will drive the biggest gains for your team. With that in mind, let’s drill into a quick feature-by-feature view.

To help you quickly see how the two platforms stack up on the features that matter most, here’s a side-by-side breakdown:

Head-to-Head Comparison: ManageArtworks vs. Cway®

Why Cway Is a Top Alternative

1. Artwork Approval — From Brief to Print

With Cway’s artwork approval module, you can manage the entire process in a single environment. Create a project, upload files, route for review, and send final assets directly to the printer — no juggling between platforms or emails. Automated reminders and approval thresholds ensure that nothing gets stuck in limbo.

2. Integrated Digital Asset Management

Cway’s built‑in DAM keeps all your images, PDFs, and artwork files accessible for years to come. Every version is stored, tagged, and searchable, so you can track change history and restore prior iterations whenever needed. Unlike siloed DAM systems, Cway’s solution lives alongside your approval workflows for seamless continuity.

3. True Version Control

While many platforms claim version control, Cway delivers true branching and rollback capabilities. Compare revisions side by side, revert to earlier versions, and manage release candidates with confidence. This granular control minimizes errors and accelerates review cycles.

4. Seamless Collaboration with Third‑Party Stakeholders

Invite external partners — agencies, printers, or legal teams — directly through Cway’s collaboration tool. No guest licenses or separate logins required: stakeholders receive a secure link and notification, review files in our Cway Viewer, and can download approved revisions. All activities are logged for full transparency.

5. Print Coverage Tool

Keep your packaging projects on track with Cway’s print coverage feature. Monitor print runs, batch numbers, and release dates in real time. Alerts notify you if an edition falls outside specified tolerances, reducing waste and ensuring consistency across SKUs.

6. Analytics and Reports

Leverage custom dashboards to visualize throughput, bottlenecks, and resource utilization. From cycle-time analysis to stakeholder response rates, Cway’s reporting & analytics tools turn raw data into actionable insights, helping you optimize processes and meet tight deadlines.

Case Studies & Reviews

If you’re seeking a user-friendly, all-in-one solution to replace ManageArtworks, Cway® ticks all the boxes: intuitive artwork approval, integrated DAM, true version control, stakeholder collaboration without headaches, print coverage, and powerful analytics.

Ready to see how Cway® can transform your packaging workflows? Try Cway® for free today and discover why leading brands are making the switch.