Whenever multiple manufacturing companies collaborate on a new product, misunderstandings are more likely to occur. Working in one place, as one unit, can facilitate better coordination and lead to a more desirable product outcome.
Anticipations about a product's aesthetics are usually high during a product presentation. A classic dilemma occurs when the final product output isn’t as exciting as expected, sparking a debate about who or what should be held responsible.
Applying Pressure Sensitive Labels (PSL) is a central part of the product manufacturing process, mainly to apply decorations or product descriptions. Therefore, most questions about undesirable product outcomes typically revolve around one or more of the following factors:
- Artwork quality
- Value additions
- Value embellishments
- Choice of raw material
- Labelling applicator
The person or company responsible for making these choices is usually the one to be accused, and so the blame game begins. Naturally, no one wishes to be the culprit or loser.
It is quite a typical challenge within the industry. We have witnessed multiple situations as part of our long experience over several decades here at Skanem Africa. Therefore, we strongly recommend having one single location, combining manufacturing and applicators/machines for the PSL process.
Combining production areas
Once the harm is caused, it’s very easy to shift the blame elsewhere. Coordinating efforts can help you avoid much hassle and is beneficial for several reasons:
- Obtaining a collective understanding of brand owner’s desired product outcome
- Obtaining a better understanding of customer requirements
- Minimizing the chances for misconceptions in connection to artwork quality, substrates, embellishments, and choice of applicators
Every single person and production area is involved in the final turnout of the product. With a bit more cautiousness and a shared understanding of where you need to go, communication becomes easier.
Read more: 5 key factors to consider before developing your new product
A seamless manufacturing solution
At Skanem Africa, we truly believe that close collaboration with brand owners is the key to success. Leveraging our collective experiences and skills makes it easier for everyone involved to achieve mutual benefit. Therefore, we take a strategic approach to our entire manufacturing process:
- Prior to the brand’s approval for manufacturing a new product, the jars/bottles and the label Key Line Dimension (KLD) are submitted together with the artwork for alpha validation.
- The product’s specifications, dimensions, and artwork are adapted to the grooves, curves, and ribs of the bottles after a team of skilled designers and operators have carefully studied the shape.
- Any adjustments to the product, whether it’s the bottles or labels, are identified on-site and communicated directly to the customer to discuss whether they should be implemented. Lastly, we make sure that the product remains preserved and that the final label output is without bubbles, warpages, or wrinkles.
Following this process increases the chance that the brand owner’s intended requirements and specifications for the final product are met. It also leaves less space for any blame game that usually won’t benefit any party.
Read more: Benefits of investing in location to reduce lead time
Want to know more about how you can improve and succeed at a product launch with PSL? Feel free to reach out to us.
