How to streamline your artwork workflow from start to finish

In this article, we’ll explore how to improve your artwork workflow—from managing assets to approving designs faster. Discover how Cway® platform can help.

What Is an Artwork Workflow?

An artwork workflow is the structured process that governs the creation, revision, approval, and release of packaging artwork—the visual designs used on product packaging.

It typically includes:

• Briefing – Providing initial input and requirements.

• Design – Creation of new or updated visuals.

• Review & Comments – Multiple stakeholders (e.g., marketing, legal, regulatory) review and comment.

• Revisions – Updates based on feedback.

• Approval – Final sign-off by all stakeholders.

• Release to Production – The approved artwork is sent for printing and packaging.

In systems like Cway®, this process is digitized with clear responsibilities, deadlines, and revision history—all integrated in one platform.

Why the Artwork Workflow Is Crucial for Brand Success

1. Speed to market

FMCG brands often deal with tight launch deadlines or fast-moving campaigns. An efficient artwork workflow eliminates bottlenecks, allowing you to respond to market opportunities quickly—be it a product relaunch, a new flavor, or regulatory updates.

2. Brand consistency across markets

Maintaining brand identity across multiple SKUs, countries, and product lines is non-negotiable. An artwork workflow ensures every update is version-controlled and approved by the right people.

3. Error reduction & compliance

Small artwork errors—like missing allergens, incorrect barcodes, or regulatory text—can lead to product recalls or fines. A robust workflow catches these before print.

Why it matters: Errors at the print stage = wasted time, wasted money, and potential brand damage.

4. Collaboration across teams

A good artwork workflow brings together marketing, product development, legal, and packaging teams in one seamless loop. Everyone sees the same version, knows what stage the project is in, and can leave contextual feedback.

Cway’s unique strength: One viewer, one system. Compare revisions, leave comments directly on artwork, and store final versions—all in the same place.

5. Auditability and transparency

Want to know who approved what and when? A defined artwork workflow provides traceability and accountability—critical during audits or legal disputes.

Cway® Software: Your End-to-End Artwork Solution

Cway® software was built to eliminate the chaos, disorganization, and inefficiency that plague traditional packaging artwork processes. In a world where speed to market, brand consistency, and regulatory accuracy are essential, managing packaging assets with scattered tools simply isn’t enough.

That’s where Cway® comes in.

More than just an artwork solution, Cway® is a purpose-built artwork workflow software that brings your entire team—designers, marketers, compliance managers, and printers—into one smart, centralized platform. With Cway®, brands of all sizes can scale their packaging development without scaling complexity.

Whether you’re dealing with multilingual labeling management software challenges, detailed product rollouts, or tight deadlines, Cway® is designed to bring clarity, control, and speed to your entire artwork lifecycle management process.

Key features include:

• Smart asset storage – Keep all your packaging artwork organized, versioned, and instantly searchable in a secure cloud-based environment. Never lose track of a file again, and ensure your team is always working on the correct version.

• Artwork proofing – Speed up collaboration with real-time visual markup, side-by-side version comparisons, and in-context comments. Cway®’s built-in artwork proofing tools help teams resolve feedback faster, reducing revision rounds.

• Automated workflows – Configure custom workflows to match your brand’s internal approval processes. Assign tasks, trigger reminders, and track every stage of your artwork workflow with ease using our drag-and-drop interface.

• Audit-ready – Perfect for highly regulated industries, Cway® automatically captures every change, comment, and decision for a full audit trail. Ensure regulatory compliance with ease—ideal for companies managing extensive label management software requirements.

• Time savings – Cway® isn’t just about better organization—it delivers real ROI. For example, a global food brand using Cway® cut artwork approval cycles by 45% and saved over 80 hours a month in manual coordination. That’s time better spent on creativity and growth.

• End-to-end artwork lifecycle management
  From artwork creation to final print approval, Cway® covers the full artwork lifecycle management spectrum—reducing handoffs, ensuring accountability, and bringing transparency to every phase.
• Works with printers and agencies
  Easily share and approve designs with external partners. With clear roles and controlled access, you can collaborate across organizations while protecting your brand assets.
  
  

Real-World Results with Cway® Software

Cway® software isn’t just theory—it’s powering global brands with real, measurable results across industries. 

Case Study: How Kavli Streamlined Artwork Management Across Markets

Kavli, a beloved Scandinavian food brand, faced complex challenges managing packaging artwork across independently operating entities in Norway, Sweden, and the UK. When launching a popular Swedish dressing in Norway, they needed a smoother, more consistent artwork workflow.

By implementing Cway® software as their centralized artwork management solution, Kavli transformed their process:

• ✅ 40% faster artwork approvals – Streamlined workflows accelerated time-to-market

• ✅ 30% more efficient collaboration – Centralized assets and feedback reduced errors

• ✅ Seamless vendor onboarding – New design vendors adapted quickly thanks to Cway®’s intuitive interface

What was once a fragmented, manual process became a unified, digital artwork workflow. Today, Cway® powers Kavli’s operations across multiple countries—supporting growth and ensuring consistency from concept to shelf.

Read more real-world case studies

Final Thoughts

A modern artwork workflow isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for any brand serious about consistency, compliance, and speed. With Cway® software, you’re not just managing files—you’re enabling collaboration, automating tasks, and delivering beautiful, compliant packaging faster than ever.

If you're still relying on email threads and scattered folders, it’s time to upgrade to an artwork proofing solution that brings everything under one roof.

Ready to streamline your artwork workflow? Try Cway® software today.