In 2025, the artwork management software market will evolve in response to the dynamic regulatory market and changing business needs. As product recalls become rampant, they seek solutions that enhance collaboration, reduce errors, and maintain brand consistency.  

Industries such as pharmaceuticals and food and beverage are driving the demand for more robust features like automated audit and AI proofing to meet regulatory requirements, ensure seamless collaboration, and improve first-time rates.  

In this blog, we will dive into the top features of artwork approval software and explore how these tools will transform the approval process in 2025.

Significance of Artwork Approval Software

As companies look for better ways to manage their creative assets, artwork approval tools are highly sought after. According to market research, the global artwork management software market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.21% from 2024 to 2031, reaching $22.22 billion by 2031.  

Modern, cloud-based, and AI-enabled artwork management tools help manage packaging designs, marketing materials, and brand assets in the consumer goods, retail, and pharmaceutical industries. Offering several collaboration and reporting features, these tools streamline artwork review, compliance, and approval processes.  

Automated checks and version control allow faster review, modification, and final approval of packaging designs. This enables brands to ensure alignment with branding guidelines and maintain their competitive position. Artwork approval software also helps ensure regulatory compliance requirements through frequent audits and quality checks. Brands can more easily manage feedback from multiple stakeholders and keep up with customer and market expectations.

8 Key Artwork Approval Software Features in 2025 ‍

Given the pace of market trends and strictness in regulatory oversight, the artwork approval software market is constantly evolving to cater to new demands and requirements. While Artificial Intelligence and automation have long been a part of artwork approval tools, in 2025, they will be deeply integrated into workflows.  

1. Centralized collaboration: In 2025, collaboration will not be limited to design or legal teams. Modern artwork approval software will enable stakeholders from various departments to co-edit and collaborate more proactively on artwork. Real-time comments and annotations directly on the artwork will become commonplace, improving decision-making while eliminating artwork approval delays.  

2. Real-time feedback: Real-time feedback will enable stakeholders to review and comment on artwork designs instantly. Instant notifications will ensure all stakeholders are updated immediately, reducing the need for follow-up emails or meetings. Integrated chat and self-service tools will facilitate faster analysis and approvals, accelerating time-to-market.  

3. Automated version control: Version control will become more intelligent and intuitive, evolving from simple rule-based automation. Modern artwork approval software tools will intelligently organize different versions of artwork. They will analyze previous iterations, identify patterns in design changes, and flag significant modifications, making it easier for teams to compare versions and understand the rationale behind adjustments.  

4. AI proofing and audit trails: AI proofing will become integral to artwork proofing software, ensuring designs meet predefined quality standards and brand guidelines. By quickly detecting issues like color mismatches, alignment issues, and font inconsistencies, AI capabilities will prevent errors from slipping through the cracks and ensure consistent artwork every time.

5. Global accessibility via cloud-based solutions: On-premises artwork approval software will gradually be replaced by cloud-based solutions. These solutions will eliminate the challenge of teams working independently and support more collaborative and real-time engagement on artwork designs and approvals. By enabling teams to access, review, and collaborate on designs from anywhere, cloud-based tools will facilitate collaboration across teams, clients, and partners.

6. Greater encryption and access control measures: In 2025, artwork software security features will evolve to enable greater encryption and access control. Single-sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and role-based permissions will help protect data from unauthorized access, misuse, and breach. Built-in compliance and certifications will ensure brands adhere to the highest data security and privacy standards.  

7. Reusable libraries: As time-to-market deadlines shorten, reusable artwork approval components and libraries will allow businesses to efficiently build, approve, and manage all packaging and print specifications across multiple products. CPG firms, for example, can use customizable templates for various SKUs, ensuring consistency while reducing the need to reinvent artwork specifications for each new product.  

8. Built-in reporting: Rather than integrating reporting tools with artwork approval software, 2025 will see reporting as an integral part of the solution. Built-in reporting will make it easy for stakeholders to track key metrics such as approval timelines, feedback response times, and bottlenecks. A clear overview of project progress will enable them to optimize workflows and more easily identify areas for improvement.  

Packaging artwork approval is critical in industries like food, CPG, and pharmaceuticals. Brands that can quickly and accurately review, modify, and approve packaging designs meet brand standards, regulatory compliance, and market expectations.  

Learn how ManageArtworks helps designers, marketing teams, regulatory experts, and external partners streamline artwork approval, reduce delays, and accelerate time-to-market.