Frequently Asked Questions
The questions we hear most often — answered plainly.
What exactly is packaging production?
Packaging production is the process that happens between an approved design and a printed package. It's the technical discipline of preparing, checking and delivering files that a printer can actually use — correctly built, fully documented and ready for press.
It covers everything from building mechanical artwork and developing dielines to managing color, running prepress checks and releasing print-ready files. If design is what a package looks like, production is what makes it look that way in real life.
My printer says they need "artwork files." What does that mean?
Printers need files that are built to their exact specifications — not the presentation files a design studio uses to show concepts. When a printer asks for artwork files, they typically mean:
Files in the correct color mode (usually CMYK or spot Pantone colors, not RGB)
Correct bleed and safe zone setup
All fonts embedded or outlined
Images at the correct resolution for print (typically 300 dpi or higher)
A dieline layer showing structure and cut lines
Color profiles matched to their press and substrate
If your design files don't meet these specs, the printer either can't run the job or will charge you to fix the files themselves — often with results that don't match what the design team intended. That's exactly the kind of problem we solve.
What is a dieline?
A dieline is a structural template that shows how a package is cut, scored and folded. Think of it as the blueprint for the physical form of the package before any design is placed on it.
Every folded carton, label, pouch, sleeve or custom structure needs an accurate dieline before production artwork can be built. The dieline defines the boundaries of the printable area — what's inside the cut, what gets folded, where the glue tabs go.
Dielines are typically provided by the printer or converter based on the specific structure they're running. If you don't have one, we can obtain it or build it to spec.
What is a mechanical in packaging?
A mechanical (sometimes called a production mechanical or print mechanical) is the complete, press-ready document that a printer receives. It includes the final artwork built to spec, the dieline, all color callouts, technical annotations and any special instructions the printer needs to execute the job correctly.
A mechanical is the definitive version of the package. When a brand approves a mechanical, they're approving not just how it looks but how it will be produced.
I have a design. What happens next?
Once a design is approved, it goes through a production process before it can be printed. Typically that means:
Reviewing incoming design files against the printer's technical specifications
Confirming or building the dieline for the package structure
Building final mechanical artwork to full production standards
Running prepress checks — color separation, trapping, barcode verification, preflight
Submitting annotated proofs for client approval
Releasing print-ready files to the printer with complete documentation
How long that takes depends on the complexity of the package and how complete the incoming files are. A single label on a clean dieline can move quickly. A full range extension across 20 SKUs takes longer. We scope every project before we start so timelines are clear upfront.
What is a line extension in packaging?
A line extension is when an existing product design is adapted for a new variant — a new flavor, size, format or SKU. The brand architecture stays the same; only the variable elements change.
Line extensions sound simple but require precision. Color shifts, copy changes, new UPC codes, updated nutrition panels — everything has to track correctly against the master design, and every file has to be independently verified before release. Errors in line extensions tend to multiply across the range.
We handle line extensions as a core part of our work. It's some of the most detail-intensive production work there is, and it's where the difference between a careful production partner and a careless one becomes very visible, very fast.
Does packaging need to include specific legal or regulatory copy?
Yes — and this is one of the most overlooked risks in packaging production. Depending on your product category, your packaging may be legally required to carry specific language, formatted to specific standards, in a minimum type size. Missing or incorrect mandatory copy can delay a launch, trigger a recall or result in regulatory action.
We stay up to date and knowledgeable on requirements across the categories we work in:
Spirits & Alcohol — TTB-mandated government health warning, net contents, alcohol by volume (ABV) and country of origin all have precise placement and minimum size requirements.
Food & Beverage (CPG) — FDA Nutrition Facts panels follow strict formatting rules. Ingredient lists, allergen callouts (per FALCPA), and net weight declarations are mandatory and must be set correctly.
Beauty & Personal Care — FDA-regulated products require ingredient lists in INCI format, net weight or net contents, and manufacturer/distributor information. Certain claims trigger additional requirements.
We've spent 25 years producing packaging across all three of these categories. We know what needs to be there, where it needs to go and how it needs to be set. If you're not sure whether your packaging is compliant, ask us before it goes to print.
Can you work with AI-generated packaging designs?
Yes. We work with packaging concepts regardless of how they were created — whether they came from a traditional design studio, an in-house team or an AI generation tool.
The production requirements are the same either way: the concept needs to be rebuilt or adapted into a print-ready mechanical that meets the printer's technical specifications. AI-generated imagery often requires additional retouching and technical preparation to meet print standards, but that's a solvable problem. Our Final Artwork services include exactly this kind of concept-to-production work.
If you have an AI-generated concept and want to understand what it would take to get it to press, get in touch.
What industries do you work in?
We work across any category that puts a physical product on a shelf. Our experience is deepest in spirits, beauty, CPG and wine — but the production discipline transfers across categories. A well-built mechanical for a bourbon label and a well-built mechanical for a skincare carton follow the same principles.
Do you work with design agencies or directly with brands?
Both. We work directly with brand teams who need a production partner and with design agencies who need production support for their clients. In either case, our role is the same: make sure the design gets to press exactly as intended.
Where are you based?
We're based in New York and work with brands and agencies globally. Production work doesn't require us to be in the same room — what it requires is clear communication, precise files and a shared understanding of what "done" means. We've delivered for clients across the US, UK and Europe.
How do I get started?
Tell us what you're working on. We'll review your files, ask the right questions and give you a clear sense of what the production process looks like for your specific project.
Contact us to start the conversation.