Improved artwork workflow for printed labels

This month we have made some major changes that you may not notice if you’re not looking for them. We’ve edited the online designer so that bleed, safe and edge margins are clearer. We’ve also added PDF support and boosted the server specifications to allow many more artworks.

You can now upload PDF files directly into the online designer and position them exactly where you want. We’ve added dropbox support so you can get your artwork files directly. This is a large step forward in speeding up artwork processing times. The files we now receive from the designer are all sized correctly, ready to be printed instantly.

File uploads have always been difficult to manage. Previously, if you didn’t get your artwork correct first time you’d need to resend it. When you’re dealing with just a few orders a week that’s fine, however when it’s hundreds per week, files can easily go missing due to server errors, email glitches, human error, filename overwrites etc etc.

We have created a new upload system, which timestamps the files uploaded and also pre-pends the order number to the front of the filename. The files are directly stored on our company dropbox for universal access in the production area. We also receive an email notification with the file upload details. This system keeps a record of all uploads, along with a hierarchy that is easy to manage. There is no longer an issue of whether it’s been sent or not, if we haven’t got the file or associated email we can see within a few seconds.

This system has already speeded up our online proofing, so it’s something that was definitely worth investing the time in.