The most common mistakes on consumer packaging and how to prevent them

We all know that packaging is one of the most important parts of your product. The packaging not only protects the product during transport and storage, it is also the perfect place to show your brand to consumers. In addition, the information on the packaging must comply with legal requirements.

Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that products are removed from the store. According to the NVWA, there are a number of common errors:

• Allergens not (or not properly) mentioned,
• Erroneous listing of ingredients,
• Expiration date incorrect,
• Packaging does not match the contents.

In addition to errors on the packaging, there are also errors in production, such as metal or plastic in products or salmonella infections.

The packaging itself can sometimes also use an improvement. With his/her trained eye for detail, a print specialist will see many mistakes in the store. This can have several causes:

• Design doesn't match what you want to convey with your brand,
• The printing was crooked, so that the text and/or barcode are not readable,
• Colours are not beautifully printed on top of each other,
• Color difference between different production batches,
• The design doesn't fit on the packaging, so it folds crazy or text is cut off.

All these errors/opportunities for improvement cost money. Having products retrieved and destroyed is a waste of work and raw materials. In addition, it may also happen that consumers may not buy it again. In addition, such a mistake in the (online) store detracts from your brand.

You want to prevent production from coming to a standstill and the established schedule from simply being met. It goes without saying that a recall must be avoided.

So how do you prevent these kinds of errors?

1. Always use the latest version of the artwork

Perhaps a bit of an open door, but it will happen that not the latest version is used in production. As a result, something is wrong on the packaging, even though it was modified.

2. Work from a single source

This reduces the risk of errors due to missing feedback or information. Working from a single source also makes it easier to have the latest version at hand.

3. Have the right people (quality, production, marketing, etc.) check the artwork

When multiple people have been able to see and check the latest version, the risk of errors is less likely.

4. Coordinate the design with the lithographer and/or printer

Packaging is an expression of your brand to consumers. That is why it is good to check beforehand whether the idea can also be properly reflected in reality. For this, it is important that people with specialist knowledge also take a look at the artwork.

5. Bring a printing specialist to the (1)^e) important print to match colors

We have been working for months on a nice new package. By bringing a specialist along to the 1^e busy, adjustments can still be made at that time to ensure the appearance of your brand.