When it comes to labeling and artwork management, understanding key terms is crucial for streamlining workflows, ensuring regulatory compliance, and optimizing product packaging. Below is a comprehensive glossary of essential jargon and technological terms to help you navigate this complex industry.
What is a DAM (Digital Asset Management) system?
A DAM system is a software solution designed to store, organize, and manage digital assets such as images, videos, and documents. In labeling and packaging, DAM systems help streamline content management and ensure version control, reducing errors in artwork management.
What is version control?
An essential feature in label design and packaging workflows that tracks changes made to digital assets over time. Version control ensures the correct and most updated design is used for label printing and production.
What is 2D barcode labeling and what are the benefits of 2D barcodes?
2D barcode labeling, including QR codes (Quick Response codes), adds a new dimension to product packaging by storing more data than traditional barcodes. QR codes can link to digital content, such as product manuals or sustainability initiatives. Using QR codes helps reduce the need for excess packaging material, aligning with eco-friendly labels while offering consumers easy access to additional product information.
What is the difference between labeling design software and artwork management software?
Label design software focuses on creating and customizing product labels, offering features like pre-built label templates, design elements, and support for printing barcodes. Artwork management software, on the other hand, manages the entire lifecycle of product artwork, from design to approval, version control, and ensuring compliance with standards like FDA or ISO 13485 (International Organization for Standardization).
Some providers offer a combination of both label design and artwork management software in one end-to-end tool. This integrated approach allows teams to handle everything—from label creation to artwork approvals—under one platform, making it an ideal choice for businesses seeking streamlined management and consistency across their packaging projects.
Why is the FDA important?
The Food and Drug Administration sets important guidelines and standards that are crucial for labeling, manufacturing, and packaging in industries like food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It is critical that products adhere to 21 CFR Part 11 and 21 CFR Part 211 for labeling accuracy and data integrity.
What is 21 CFR Part 11 and Part 211?
21 CFR Part 11 is a regulation by the FDA that sets criteria for electronic records and signatures to ensure their integrity, authenticity, and security in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. 21 CFR Part 211 outlines the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) requirements for finished pharmaceuticals, focusing on quality assurance, documentation, and production processes to ensure safety and efficacy.
What is the GHS standard for labeling?
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a worldwide standard for labeling hazardous materials. GHS labeling ensures that chemicals are classified and labeled consistently to protect consumer safety.
What does ‘content creation’ mean in labeling and artwork management?
The process of generating and designing digital content, including label designs, artwork, and marketing assets, that align with a brand's vision. For packaging, content creation involves crafting product labels, ensuring they meet FDA compliance or GHS labeling standards.
What is meant by content collation?
Content collation is the gathering of various digital assets and information, such as product descriptions, regulatory information, and design elements, into a unified format. In packaging project management, content collation is critical to ensuring that all necessary label details are included before factory printing.
What are label templates and what are the benefits of using label templates?
Predefined designs that can be used to create consistent and accurate labels. A label template can simplify the label creation process, ensuring that all regulatory details, such as FDA labeling requirements, are met.
What is translation management?
Managing the translation of label content to ensure consistency across multiple regions. This is crucial for companies that operate globally, as they need to comply with local regulations, such as EU MDR or IVDR.
What is meant by factory printing?
The process of printing labels and packaging materials at scale in a factory setting. Factory printing must ensure that label designs are correctly applied and meet compliance standards like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) for workplace safety or GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) for pharmaceuticals.
What is Natasha’s Law?
Natasha's Law, effective from October 2021 in the UK, requires all food businesses to provide full ingredient lists with clear allergen labeling on pre-packaged foods made on-site for direct sale. Named after Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died from an allergic reaction, the law aims to protect consumers with allergies by ensuring transparency and safety.
What is meant by GXP Compliance?
A general term for regulatory guidelines that apply to manufacturing, laboratory, and clinical practices. GXP compliance encompasses standards like GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and GLP (Good Laboratory Practice), which are essential for product labeling.
What is the difference between FileDrop and batch printing?
Filing via Filedrop involves printing labels individually by uploading files one at a time, ideal for small, ad-hoc jobs. Batch printing, on the other hand, automates the process by printing multiple labels in one go, based on predefined templates or data sets, making it more efficient for large-scale, repetitive labeling tasks in artwork management.
What is an IFU (Information For Use) leaflet and how is it different to an eIFU?
An IFU (Instructions for Use) leaflet is a physical document provided with medical devices, detailing instructions, safety information, and usage guidelines. An eIFU (electronic Instructions for Use) is the digital version, accessible online or via digital devices. The eIFU offers easier updates, environmental benefits, and convenient access, but may require digital literacy and device availability.
Why Understanding These Terms Is Important
For companies involved in labeling, artwork management, and packaging, understanding these terms is essential for:
Regulatory Compliance: Many industries, such as pharmaceuticals and food, must adhere to strict regulations like FDA labeling requirements, CPSC, or ISO 13485.
Streamlined Operations: Terms like content management and artwork management software reflect the need for digital tools to manage the complex lifecycle of packaging and labeling projects.
Efficient Workflows: Using the right labeling software, label templates, and DAM systems can significantly reduce production times and improve label accuracy.
By mastering these key terms, your team will be well-equipped to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of labeling and packaging artwork management, helping you stay ahead of compliance standards and operational efficiency.
Understanding the terminology surrounding labeling and artwork management is critical for optimizing workflows and ensuring compliance. Whether it’s using a label maker software or managing packaging project management, these key terms are vital to efficient and accurate product labeling. Stay informed to boost both your operational effectiveness and regulatory compliance!
Want to know more about Kallik’s end-to-end labeling and artwork software, Veraciti?
Ready to leave behind disjointed, email and spreadsheet-driven labeling and artwork management? With Kallik’s end-to-end software, designed with compliance and consistency at the heart, you can streamline operations and ensure global regulatory alignment effortlessly. As the only solution utilizing AI to simplify the migration process, switching to our software is seamless. Join the future of labeling with Kallik and transform your approach today. Get in touch to see what we can do for you at enquiries@kallik.com, call +44 (0) 1827 318100 or book a demo here.