Export packaging has two jobs: protect the product throughout a longer supply chain and provide the information required by the destination market and buyer. A beautiful local package may still need stronger transport protection, translated information, different units, or a retailer-specific barcode. Packaging should therefore be planned as part of the commercial offer, not as a final design task.
Separate consumer, inner, and transport packaging
Define what the customer sees, how individual units are grouped, and how cartons are stacked and shipped. Record units per pack, carton dimensions, gross and net weight, pallet pattern, and handling limitations. Test whether the package survives vibration, compression, moisture, and temperature conditions expected on the route.
Map label requirements by market and product
Required information can vary by destination, product category, channel, and claim. It may include identity, ingredients or materials, allergens, quantity, origin, producer or importer details, instructions, warnings, batch information, and dates. Confirm the current rules with qualified regulatory and customs specialists before printing.
Design multilingual information for readability
Do not squeeze a translation into space designed for one language. Establish a hierarchy, minimum readable type, and a clear separation between marketing copy and mandatory information. Use professional translators familiar with the product category, and review numbers, units, punctuation, and legally sensitive claims separately.
Control versions and approvals
Assign a unique version to every artwork file and record who approved it. The manufacturer, buyer, designer, printer, and regulatory adviser should all work from the same final file. Use a physical proof when colour, finish, barcode quality, or placement matters. Archive the approved artwork with the corresponding specification.
Price customization realistically
New labels, printing plates, boxes, inserts, and low-volume runs can change both cost and lead time. State the minimum quantity, setup fee, development time, and ownership of any tooling or artwork. For a pilot order, a compliant over-label may be practical when permitted, but it should be agreed with the buyer and specialist.
APH — Keep APH product pages synchronized with the package buyers will actually receive. Show the current label, pack size, carton details, and available customization options, while confirming legal requirements separately for each market.
Useful APH links
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