Buying and supplier planning
Artwork review record
Record an artwork review decision against an file revision and proof identifier, with reviewer, date, restrictions, checklist and blank authorization line.
The packaging artwork approval form records a review decision for one exact artwork file revision and proof identifier. It outputs the recorded decision, the version covered, and a printable review record with checklist and blank authorization line.
Use this tool
Inputs stay in this tab. Results are planning estimates.
Downloads a plain text report of your inputs, results and limitations.
What this record does
The packaging artwork approval form creates a review record, not an approval workflow. It binds the selected review decision to the exact artwork filename and revision plus the proof identifier you enter. The output has two summary rows, Recorded decision and Version covered, and a text block titled ARTWORK REVIEW RECORD. The text repeats the project, file revision, proof, reviewer, date, decision, changes or restrictions, a fixed review checklist, and a blank signature or authorization line. Generating the document does not apply a signature or approve production.
Binding a decision to a file and proof
Use Exact artwork filename and revision for the file identity, such as artwork-v1.pdf. Use Proof identifier for the proof being reviewed, such as PROOF-001. These are separate fields because a file can be reviewed against more than one proof and a proof can be paired with more than one file revision. The Version covered row is populated from the revision field, not from the proof field. The proof identifier appears in the generated text. If either the file revision or proof changes, create a new record rather than editing an old one to look current.
Filling the review fields
Project and SKU identifies the item. Reviewer names the person recording the decision. Review date is free text; the tool copies it without checking format or whether it is a real date. Required changes or restrictions is also free text and is the place to state corrections, conditions, or scope limits. The default text lists dimensions, copy, color, barcode, and finish layers, but you should replace it with the actual restriction or change. The tool requires nonblank entries but does not check that the reviewer is authorized or that the date text represents a real date.
Decision choices and their effect
The Review decision select has three values: Pending review, Changes required, and Approved for specified proof only. The selected value appears in the Recorded decision row and in the Decision line of the text. Pending review records that review is incomplete. Changes required records that the file or proof needs correction. Approved for specified proof only records a scoped approval for the named proof and file revision. The form does not add conditions beyond the text you enter in Required changes or restrictions.
Reading the generated record
The two output rows are a quick index. Recorded decision repeats the select value. Version covered repeats the revision field. The text block is the fuller record. It includes the fixed checklist: dimensions and dieline; copy and claims; color targets; image quality; bleed and safety; finishes and white ink; barcode verification; final proof scope. The checklist is present for every decision, including Pending review and Changes required. The final line is a blank signature or authorization space for manual completion outside the tool.
Worked examples for two revisions
Starting scenario: project Example project / SKU-001, revision artwork-v1.pdf, proof PROOF-001, reviewer Assigned reviewer, date Enter review date, decision Pending review, and changes Confirm dimensions, copy, color, barcode and finish layers. The rows show Recorded decision Pending review and Version covered artwork-v1.pdf. The text carries File/revision artwork-v1.pdf, Proof PROOF-001, Decision Pending review, and the default changes line.
Changed scenario: same project and proof, revision artwork-v2.pdf, decision Changes required, and changes Correct the barcode quiet zone and provide a new proof. The rows now show Recorded decision Changes required and Version covered artwork-v2.pdf. The text carries File/revision artwork-v2.pdf and the new changes line. The proof line remains PROOF-001 because that field did not change. The revision change alters Version covered and the file line; the decision change alters Recorded decision and the decision line.
Edge case with the same proof and a new file
A common edge case is reviewing artwork-v2.pdf against the same proof identifier used for artwork-v1.pdf. The form will record that pairing, but it does not decide whether the proof actually represents the new file. Approval for artwork-v1.pdf must not be treated as approval for artwork-v2.pdf. Record both the file revision and the proof identifier, and use Changes required if the proof does not match the file. The record is a written association, not evidence that the proof content was checked by the tool.
Limits and manual authorization
The tool creates no digital signature, contract acceptance, or production authorization. The blank signature or authorization line is for a manual step after printing or exporting the record. Regulated claims and barcode performance require their responsible reviewers; this form does not verify either. It also does not check color targets, bleed, image quality, finish layers, or dieline accuracy. Use the checklist as a reminder of topics to review, not as a certification that those topics passed.
Questions about artwork review record
Does changing the proof identifier alter the Version covered row?
No. Version covered is filled from the exact artwork filename and revision field. The proof identifier appears only in the generated text. If either the proof or the file revision changes, create a new record.
Can Approved for specified proof only cover a later proof of the same file?
No. The selected decision is recorded against the proof identifier and file revision shown on that record. A later proof needs its own review record, even if the artwork filename has not changed, because the form does not carry approval forward.
What happens if the review date or reviewer is left as placeholder text?
The tool copies those values into the record without validation. A placeholder date or reviewer can make the record ambiguous, so enter the actual reviewer and date before printing or exporting the document for manual authorization.
Why is there a blank signature line if the tool creates no signature?
The blank line supports a manual authorization step outside the tool. Generating the record does not apply a signature, accept a contract, or authorize production, so any signature must be added by the responsible person after review.
Sources and further reading
- Original worksheet method: The original calculation or decision rules, units, examples and limitations are explained on this page; this is not an external performance standard.