Free tool · no login
Label artwork and proof checker
Check your artwork is print-ready, then review your proof before you approve it.
How this works ↓Used to pick the right items in step 2, the proof checklist.
1. Before you send artwork
Check whether your artwork file is print-ready. Answer a few questions and we'll flag any issues that could affect your label print.
Step 2 marks the spot UV and foil checks N/A unless you tick them here.
Preflight results
7 of 7 checks passed
All checks passed
- ✓
File Format
PDF is a print-ready format. Nice one.
- ✓
Resolution
300 DPI meets the print requirement of 300 DPI or above.
- ✓
Colour Mode
CMYK is correct for print. Colours will reproduce accurately.
- ✓
Ink Coverage
Total ink coverage is within safe limits.
- ✓
Bleed
2mm bleed is good — that's the standard we recommend.
- ✓
Fonts
Fonts are outlined/flattened. No risk of font substitution.
- ✓
Embedded Images
Canva embeds all images automatically when exporting. No linked-image issues.
2. Before you approve your proof
Work through each item before approving your label proof, and mark it as OK, Issue or N/A.
0 of 5 reviewed
0 of 9 reviewed
0 of 5 reviewed
2 of 3 reviewed
N/A because you didn't choose this finish in step 1. Change it if the proof shows it.
Why this matters for Spot UV areas marked correctlyN/A because you didn't choose this finish in step 1. Change it if the proof shows it.
Why this matters for Foil elements positioned correctly0 of 3 reviewed
Pick your product, then answer a few questions about your artwork file in step 1. The checks update as you go and flag anything that could cause trouble at print. When your proof comes back, work through the step 2 checklist and mark each item OK, Issue or N/A, then copy a summary of the issues to send back to your designer or to us. Each item links to its explanation in the checklist further down this page. The tool runs in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded. Our standard is 2 mm of bleed on every side.
How to fix each check in your design tool
The step 1 results quote the tip for the design tool you pick. Here they all are, side by side.
| Design tool | Resolution | Colour mode | Fonts | Bleed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canva | Resolution In Canva, go to File > Download and select PDF Print for the best resolution. | Colour mode Canva Pro supports CMYK PDF export. Go to File > Download > PDF Print > tick CMYK. | Fonts Canva automatically embeds and flattens fonts when you export, so font issues are rare. | Bleed In Canva, enable bleed via File > Show print bleed, then ensure your background extends to the bleed line. |
| Illustrator | Resolution In Illustrator, check raster effects resolution via Effect > Document Raster Effects Settings. Set to High (300 ppi). | Colour mode In Illustrator, go to File > Document Color Mode > CMYK Color. | Fonts In Illustrator, select all text and go to Type > Create Outlines (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + O). | Bleed In Illustrator, set bleed in File > Document Setup > Bleed. Use 2mm on all sides. |
| InDesign | Resolution In InDesign, check linked image resolution in the Links panel. Look for the Effective PPI column. | Colour mode In InDesign, export as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 which enforce CMYK output. Check via Edit > Transparency Blend Space > CMYK. | Fonts In InDesign, go to Type > Find Font to check all fonts are available, then export with fonts embedded or outlined. | Bleed In InDesign, set bleed in File > Document Setup > Bleed and Slug. Use 2mm. When exporting, tick 'Use Document Bleed Settings'. |
| Photoshop | Resolution In Photoshop, check via Image > Image Size. Resolution should be 300 pixels/inch or higher. | Colour mode In Photoshop, go to Image > Mode > CMYK Color to convert. | Fonts In Photoshop, right-click text layers and choose 'Convert to Shape' or flatten the image before saving. | Bleed In Photoshop, add 2mm to each side of your canvas via Image > Canvas Size. Extend your background to fill. |
| Other | Resolution Check your application's export settings to ensure resolution is set to at least 300 DPI/PPI. | Colour mode Check your application's colour settings and ensure the document is set to CMYK, not RGB. | Fonts Convert all text to outlines/curves before exporting to avoid font substitution issues. | Bleed Add 2mm of bleed to all edges. Your background and any edge-to-edge elements must extend into the bleed area. |
The proof checklist in full
These are the 29 items in step 2. Each is rated Critical, Important or Nice to have, and some only apply to certain products. Open an item to see why it matters.
Spelling & Text
Brand name spelled correctly Critical
Compare the brand name letter-by-letter against the approved version.
Why it matters: A misspelled brand name means reprinting the entire run. This is the most common and most costly error.
Applies to: All products
Product name / variant correct Critical
Check the product name, flavour, or variety matches this specific SKU.
Why it matters: Wrong variant names lead to customer confusion and potential recall if allergens differ between variants.
Applies to: All products
Contact details correct Important
Verify website URL, email address, and phone number are accurate and current.
Why it matters: Incorrect contact details mean customers and retailers cannot reach you. URLs are especially easy to mistype.
Applies to: All products
No placeholder text Critical
Search for Lorem ipsum, TBC, XX%, TODO, INSERT, or any bracketed placeholders.
Why it matters: Placeholder text going to print is embarrassing and costly. It happens more often than you think.
Applies to: All products
Grammar and punctuation correct Important
Read all text carefully for typos, missing punctuation, and awkward phrasing.
Why it matters: Grammar errors undermine brand credibility, especially on premium products.
Applies to: All products
Regulatory Content
ABV correct Critical
Confirm the alcohol percentage matches the lab analysis or product specification.
Why it matters: Incorrect ABV is a legal compliance issue under NZ food standards and can result in fines or product withdrawal.
Applies to: Wine, Beer, Spirits
Standard drinks number correct Critical
Verify the standard drinks figure matches the calculated value from volume and ABV.
Why it matters: Mandatory for NZ alcohol labelling. An incorrect figure is a compliance breach.
Applies to: Wine, Beer, Spirits
Pregnancy warning present Critical
Check for the FSANZ pregnancy warning label. Print it at or above the minimum size for your container, on white, with 3 mm clear space. Don't recolour, crop or redraw it.
Why it matters: Required now. Any drink over 1.15% ABV sold at retail must carry the FSANZ pregnancy warning label. It has been mandatory since 31 July 2023.
Applies to: Wine, Beer, Spirits
Country of origin stated Important
Mandatory for wine and for fresh or frozen single foods, bacon and ham; optional on other packaged food. Where it's needed, look for a clear origin statement such as 'Product of New Zealand'.
Why it matters: Country of origin is required for grape wine. If any grapes, juice or wine came from another country, name that country too. NZ only requires country of origin on fresh or frozen single foods (fruit, veg, meat, fish and seafood) and on bacon and ham. Most packaged foods don't need it, but if you state an origin it must be true. Exporting to Australia? Australia has its own origin rules.
Applies to: Wine, Food
Producer/importer details present Critical
Verify the business name and physical street address of the producer, packer, or importer.
Why it matters: Mandatory under NZ labelling regulations. A PO Box alone is not sufficient.
Applies to: All products
Allergen declarations present Critical
Allergens go in bold in the ingredient list and in a bold 'Contains' line right beside it, e.g. Contains milk, almond, gluten.
Why it matters: Declare these if present: wheat, gluten (from barley, oats, rye), peanut, each tree nut by name (almond, Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pine nut, pistachio, walnut), milk, egg, fish, crustacean, mollusc, sesame, soy, lupin, and added sulphites at 10 mg/kg or more.
Applies to: Food, Honey
Sulphites and fining allergens declared Critical
Check the sulphite and fining-agent declarations against the winemaking, brewing or distilling records.
Why it matters: If you added sulphites and they're at 10 mg/kg or more, declare them: 'Contains sulphites'. Declare egg, milk or any other allergen used as a fining agent, even if it's filtered out. Exempt: isinglass in beer or wine, gluten cereals in beer or spirits, and spirits distilled from wheat or whey.
Applies to: Wine, Beer, Spirits
NIP values correct Critical
Cross-check the Nutrition Information Panel figures against the lab report or formulation data.
Why it matters: Incorrect NIP data is a compliance breach and can mislead consumers with dietary requirements.
Applies to: Food, Honey
INCI list present Critical
Verify the ingredient list is complete and in the right order, using INCI or common chemical names.
Why it matters: Ingredients at 1% or more go in descending order. Under 1% and colours can go in any order after that. Fragrance can just say 'fragrance' or 'parfum'.
Applies to: Cosmetics
Net weight/volume displayed Critical
Confirm the net contents are shown in metric units (g, kg, mL, or L).
Why it matters: Mandatory on all packaged goods. Must be in metric units for NZ market.
Applies to: All products
Barcode present and positioned Critical
Check the barcode is present, has quiet zones around it, and is not distorted or too small.
Why it matters: An unreadable barcode means the product cannot be scanned at retail, causing delays and lost sales.
Applies to: All products
Vintage and variety correct Critical
Verify the vintage year and grape variety match the wine in the bottle.
Why it matters: If stated, at least 85% of the wine must match. Incorrect claims breach the NZ Wine Act.
Applies to: Wine
Date marking present Important
Check for best-before, use-by, or date of manufacture as appropriate for the product.
Why it matters: Required for foods with a shelf life of less than 2 years. Missing dates can trigger enforcement action.
Applies to: Food
Layout & Design
Label dimensions correct Critical
Measure or confirm the label dimensions match the specification for this container.
Why it matters: Wrong dimensions mean the label won't fit the bottle or container, requiring a complete reprint.
Applies to: All products
Bleed extends to trim marks Important
Ensure artwork bleeds at least 2mm past the trim line on all edges.
Why it matters: Insufficient bleed causes white edges to appear on the finished label. This is the most common artwork error.
Applies to: All products
No critical elements near cut edge Important
Check that text and logos are at least 3mm inside the trim line.
Why it matters: Elements too close to the edge risk being partially cut off during finishing.
Applies to: All products
Images look sharp Important
Zoom in to check that photos and graphics are not pixelated or blurry.
Why it matters: Low-resolution images look unprofessional and cannot be fixed after printing.
Applies to: All products
Colours appear approximately correct Nice to have
Check that colours look right on screen. Note: screen colours are indicative only.
Why it matters: Major colour shifts indicate a file issue. Subtle differences are normal between screen and print.
Applies to: All products
Finishes & Special Elements
Spot UV areas marked correctly Important
Verify the spot UV layer covers only the intended areas (e.g. logo, pattern).
Why it matters: Misaligned spot UV is very visible and expensive to fix. Check the separate spot layer carefully.
Applies to: All products
Foil elements positioned correctly Important
Confirm foil stamp areas are aligned with the artwork and correctly specified.
Why it matters: Foil misregistration is noticeable and requires new tooling to correct.
Applies to: All products
Die-cut shape correct Important
Check the die-cut outline matches the intended label shape.
Why it matters: Die tooling is custom-made and costly to redo. Confirm the shape before tooling is produced.
Applies to: All products
Final Checks
Front and back not swapped Critical
Confirm the front label is on the front and the back label is on the back.
Why it matters: Swapped labels are surprisingly common and mean the entire run is unusable.
Applies to: All products
All variants accounted for Important
If ordering multiple SKUs, check each variant has been proofed separately.
Why it matters: Missing a variant means a delayed SKU while the rest of the range ships.
Applies to: All products
Previous revision corrections applied Critical
Cross-check all feedback from the last round of revisions has been actioned.
Why it matters: Corrections that were requested but not applied will require yet another revision cycle.
Applies to: All products
This tool gives general artwork guidance for label printing. Requirements can vary with label size, material and print method. When in doubt, send us your file and we will check it for you: ask for a free file check. You can read how we check artwork on our side in our artwork check and proofing pages.
Start a project
Ready to get started?
Send us your brief and we'll come back with a same-day quote.
Phone
09 820 7124Office
20 Lansford Crescent, Avondale, Auckland
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm