Core Foundations

Packaging as a system: brand hierarchy, consumer journey on pack, information architecture, and translating tone into structural and visual elements. Includes shelf impact and balancing marketing vs. regulatory.

Legibility in tiny spaces. Hierarchy, contrast, sizes, licensing, kerning for print and screen. Focus on nutrition tables and multi-language packs.

Why color shifts happen and how to prevent them. ICC profiles, Pantone vs. process, spot matching, consistency across substrates. Intro to G7 and ISO 12647.

Construct dielines for boxes, labels, and forms. Cut/fold/glue, bleed, safety zones. How CAD drawings translate to tooling.

PDF/X standards, overprint vs. knockout, trapping per method, rich black builds, preflight checks before sending to converters.

Grades, calipers, flute types, recycled vs. virgin fibre, print compatibility, sustainability, and matching structure to weight and brand feel.

PE, PP, PET, multilayer films; OTR/MVTR, seal layers, ink adhesion. Choosing mono-materials for recyclability.

Aluminum/steel formats, coatings, lacquers, decoration. Glass decoration, closures, and compatibility with hot-fill or carbonated products.

Varnishes (matte, gloss, soft-touch), foils, emboss/deboss, special inks (UV, metallic, thermochromic), costs and recycling impact.

Placement, quiet zones, min/max sizes, avoiding distortion, and verification basics.

GS1 Sunrise 2027 shift to 2D codes. Artwork integration, size requirements, and encoding product + marketing data.

Fit, form, closures, tolerances, prototyping, and how structure affects branding and production.

Offset, flexo, gravure, digital—strengths, limitations, economics, and best-use cases. Includes dry offset for cans.

Delta E tolerances, registration issues, proofing types, and press checks.

Consistent pack photography or 3D renders: lighting, angles, shader basics for e-comm and marketing.