Printing service providers must work around several intricate details to bring a client’s artwork vision to life. However, many run small studios rely on siloed open-source tools to carry out tasks from design to final print. These tools often do not work well together, causing a delay in artwork approvals and a gap in meeting client expectations. 

Printing service companies need a unified artwork management tool to streamline complex printing processes while providing added value to their clients. Such a tool can simplify collaboration, enhance productivity, and improve quality control in the printing process.

The Hidden Complexities of Managing Artwork in Small Print Studios

Operating from a small studio, printing companies carry out a range of activities throughout the artwork lifecycle, from helping clients create brand visuals to fine-tuning an existing design. 

However, most of these tasks are carried out in isolation and involve emails, file transfers, and back-and-forth communication. This leads to several challenges: 

• Communicating with clients, designers, and other stakeholders through emails and phones increases the chance of misunderstandings and overlooking vital details.

• Manually transferring files and sharing project updates makes it difficult to track the latest artwork version.

• Sharing artwork across multiple platforms increases the risk of using outdated or incorrect versions, leading to costly errors.

• As the number of artworks and revisions grows, tracking feedback and ensuring accuracy becomes more challenging.

• Manual tracking and communication processes increase the likelihood of sending wrong versions or neglecting misprints.

Reselling Artwork Management Tools – A Printing Imperative

Successfully navigating these challenges requires printing services companies to invest in a robust artwork management tool. Modern AI-enabled platforms facilitate smooth collaboration between designers, printers, marketing and legal teams, and clients. 

By giving all stakeholders a single platform to collaborate, review, edit, and approve artwork, printing companies can focus on their creative functions and better meet client requirements and expectations. 

• Streamline printing: Printers can streamline printing when armed with an artwork management tool. They can take the artwork, add trapping, bleed, etc., to make it compatible with their print process, and send back printer proofs to the brand for final approval. 

• Improve project management: Artwork management tools offer several capabilities, such as tracking, auditing, and version management. Printers can use these features to simplify task assignment, resource management, and workflow creation and accelerate the entire artwork lifecycle, from creation to approval and production. 

• Enhance artwork inspection: With an artwork management tool, printers can ensure the accuracy and correctness of designs, dielines, and folds. They can effortlessly rotate and zoom in on their 3D packshot to meticulously inspect designs from every angle and ensure a perfect fit with no overflows or inconsistencies.

• Simplify proofing: Artwork management tools simplify the proofreading process, allowing printers to ensure print proofs align perfectly with the approved version. This helps avoid discrepancies in color, design elements, or any other print-related issues and provides more significant customer satisfaction. 

• Improve tracking: An artwork management tool provides a clear history of changes made to the artwork. Once the artwork is finalized, internal stakeholders and client representatives can check and verify updates and avoid confusion about the final approved design. 

A Real-world Case Study

FMCG leader CavinKare faced delays in bringing products to the market due to workflow bottlenecks. To add to their woes, the first-time-right rate for artwork was only 20%, compelling them to spend additional time and effort addressing issues and getting approvals. With 40% of the projects being terminated due to wasted resources and missed market opportunities, there was an urgent need to fix inefficient workflows, reduce the number of errors and iterations, and accelerate time-to-market.

With the ManageArtworks solution, CavinKare could easily store and manage their artwork copies in one place and ensure access only to authorized users. Efficient workflows helped build, manage, and optimize the artwork and approval process, reducing delays and meeting project timelines. Improved collaboration between stakeholders further accelerated the artwork approval process, allowing it to maintain compliance and brand consistency across all products and markets, reduce errors, and minimize iterations. 

The improved project accuracy and reduced reworks helped CavinKare increase the FTR rate from 20% in 2019 to 60% in 2024 and complete workflows in 12 days from the earlier 79 days.

Add Value to Your Printing Business with ManageArtworks

As customer expectations for artwork quality and timeliness increase, printers need an effective workflow. Modern artwork management tools streamline processes, enhancing collaboration and reducing errors. 

Reselling artwork management tools like ManageArtworks can transform project management into a seamless experience, enabling printers to organize their artwork more efficiently. Integrating this kind of platform into business operations enables printers to differentiate themselves from others in the industry and deliver exactly what their clients want: better collaboration, smoother workflows, and high-quality, error-free prints.