Packaging Artwork Change Control From BAT to Bulk
Packaging Artwork Change Control From BAT to Bulk. Sourcing, production and quality teams
Written for sourcing, production and quality teams, Packaging Artwork Change Control From BAT to Bulk explains the decisions, records and approvals to control before the next quotation or sample release. Scope: master artwork, language versions, barcodes, proofs and change cut-off.
Single master artwork and language versions
Maintain one master artwork with controlled language, market and pack variants. Multiple unmanaged files with similar names are a common source of wrong labels and obsolete claims.
Legal and barcode review responsibilities
Assign legal, barcode and claim review to named roles. The factory can prepare the mechanical file, but the brand or importer must approve the content for the destination market.
Physical proof and print tolerances
Approve a physical proof or a controlled PDF with print tolerances, colours, dieline and barcode placement. A low-resolution screen image is not enough to release a print run.
Obsolete artwork and change cut-off
Set a change cut-off and archive obsolete artwork. Once the cut-off passes, a new file becomes a new version with a new approval and a clear production start date.
Match production lot to approved version
Match the production lot to the approved artwork version. If the printed pack and the approved file do not match, hold the lot until the discrepancy is resolved.
Decision register
| Stage | What to record | Minimum evidence | Dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single master artwork and language versions | Decision, reference and version | approved brief and scope note | commercial terms and packaging, production, inspection and traceability records, market responsibility and local adviser input |
| Legal and barcode review responsibilities | Decision, reference and version | dated specification, BOM or official-source note | commercial terms and packaging, production, inspection and traceability records, market responsibility and local adviser input |
| Physical proof and print tolerances | Decision, reference and version | sample, test or registration record for the named reference | commercial terms and packaging, production, inspection and traceability records, market responsibility and local adviser input |
| Obsolete artwork and change cut-off | Decision, reference and version | named approval, exception and change log | commercial terms and packaging, production, inspection and traceability records, market responsibility and local adviser input |
| Match production lot to approved version | Decision, reference and version | RFQ or production-release pack for the next stage | commercial terms and packaging, production, inspection and traceability records, market responsibility and local adviser input |
Project file to assemble
- Buyer focus: Sourcing, production and quality teams.
- Page scope: master artwork, language versions, barcodes, proofs and change cut-off.
- Evidence to assemble: for master artwork, language versions, barcodes, proofs and change cut-off, approved brief and scope note; dated specification, BOM or official-source note; sample, test or registration record for the named reference; named approval, exception and change log; RFQ or production-release pack for the next stage.
- External dependencies: commercial terms and packaging, production, inspection and traceability records, market responsibility and local adviser input.
- Next step: send a dated brief covering master artwork, language versions, barcodes, proofs and change cut-off, the destination market and available documents for a feasibility review.
Buyer questions
What must “Single master artwork and language versions” record?
For master artwork, language versions, barcodes, proofs and change cut-off: Record the reference and version, the decision, the owner, the date, the evidence accepted and the next milestone. Link it to the approved sample, BOM or artwork rather than a chat thread.
How should “Legal and barcode review responsibilities” be handled when information is missing?
For master artwork, language versions, barcodes, proofs and change cut-off: Keep the item open and state what evidence is missing. Do not let a provisional answer become an approved production instruction without a new version.
What changes require a new release?
For master artwork, language versions, barcodes, proofs and change cut-off: A change to material, supplier, BOM, measurement, colour, label, carton, test result or delivery term should trigger a new version and a defined cut-off.
Related routes
Period underwear packaging Contact
Editorial review: 8 November 2026. This page describes a procurement method and does not replace legal, tax or regulatory advice.
Have a style in mind?
Send a sketch, tech pack or reference garment. We will reply with a development route.