How do we minimize retail damage and returns?

We match box style and inner tray to the toy and transit path, plan ISTA-style drop tests and run pack-out checks so weak spots are fixed before mass print. Good structure and trays cut damage, rework and returns.

Can you include QR codes for videos or manuals?

Yes. We can add QR codes on packs or manuals that point to video tutorials, extended manuals or micro-sites, and ensure they coexist cleanly with required compliance marks and barcodes.

Packaging Artwork & Instruction Guide for Toys

Q: Do you print the packaging?

We normally design, plan and coordinate packaging artwork and manuals while printing is handled by your approved factory printer or a specialist print supplier. We prepare print-ready PDFs and help route proofs and approvals.

Q: Who approves warnings, symbols, and age grade?

Age grade, warnings and symbols are ultimately approved by you and your accredited lab or retailer. We propose placements and wording based on rules for EU/CE, UKCA and US, then update the artwork after formal feedback.

Q: What barcode types do we need?

Most toy projects use UPC-A or EAN-13 on units and ITF-14 on master cartons, with correct size, quiet zone and contrast. Optional QR codes can link to videos, manuals or support pages where appropriate.

Q: Do you work with our existing printer?

Yes. We often plug into your existing printer or factory print shop, using their dieline templates and specs, while we handle artwork and manual design, file preparation and technical checklists.

Q: What’s the typical timeline?

A typical flow is 3–5 days for structure and blank box, 5–10 days for artwork and manual v1, a further 5–10 days for digital mockups after artwork lock, and 1–2 weeks for plates, die and print slot, depending on size, finishes, languages and printer capacity.

Packaging Artwork & Instruction Guide

Packaging, warnings & manuals for retail readiness-designed to sell, built to comply. Dielines, age/battery labels, barcodes & carton marks, trays & inserts, multilingual manuals, and drop-test planning for EU/US/UK.

Request a packaging & manual plan

Next: Manufacturing & Production Management

Packaging is both commercial and practical—it must attract buyers, protect the toy, and meet labeling rules.

Instruction guides are time-consuming and design-critical: clear diagrams, compliant warnings, and often multiple languages. We design and route both through your factory and accredited lab so what's printed is retail-ready and compliant.

This phase combines toy packaging design, dieline creation, barcode and GS1 setup, and toy instruction manual design so what lands in store is both commercial and compliant.

What this phase achieves

Retail-ready box + insert

Approved structure & materials, damage-aware, shelf-friendly.

Barcodes & cartons

UPC/EAN on unit, ITF-14 on cartons, carton marks & pallet notes.

Compliant artwork

Age/battery labels, warnings, and country languages placed right.

Transit-ready

Drop-test plan, pack-out checks, and rub/ink durability notes.

Instruction guide v1.0

Clear, multilingual, diagram-first, print-ready PDF package.

Scope of work

Packaging artwork

Dielines
(bleed/safe/glue/white/varnish layers)
Age grade & warnings;
battery/chemistry labels if needed
Claims/icons review (marketing + legal)
Color mgmt (CMYK/Pantone), overprint/trapping
Print-ready PDFs + soft proofs

Barcodes & data

UPC / EAN on unit; ITF-14 on cartons
Quiet zone, size, contrast, print method
Carton marks:
item / qty / NW / GW / orientation

Structural packaging

Box style
(SB/RSC/tuck/window/clam)
Inner trays: blister, pulp, foam, folded card, polybag
Hardware: hang tab, anti-theft, tamper seals
Carton architecture & pallet pattern

Transit & validation

Drop-test plan (ISTA as required)
Pack-out & rub tests; humidity check
Lab/retailer artwork approval routing

Instruction guide

Parts, assembly/usage, battery, care/disposal
Warnings & cautions; icon legend
Multilingual layout & pagination
Accessibility & readability design

Printing and testing are performed by approved suppliers/labs; we design, plan, and coordinate.

Compliance overview (EU / US / UK)

EU / CE

Age grade & warnings; 0-3 symbol if applicable;

manufacturer/importer details; language(s) of sale. Electric toys:

appropriate safety/battery marks.

UK / UKCA

BS EN 71 labeling mirrors EU;

language per country; manufacturer/importer on pack/manual.

US

ASTM F963 + CPSIA tracking label; choking warnings where applicable; battery labeling;

retailer-specific notes (e.g., CPC reference).

Final packaging artwork is shared with your accredited lab as part of the toy compliance testing plan, so warnings and marks are checked before print.

Artwork rules (designer checklist)

Dieline & layers

Bleed ≥3 mm; safe area; glue flaps; fold direction
Separate layers for white/foil/spot UV/varnish
Overprint preview & trapping checked

Type & images

Outline final fonts; minimum legal text size
Images 300 ppi at size; CMYK only
Total ink limit per printer profile

Instruction guide rules

Content

Product ID, parts list, assembly/usage
Battery insertion/removal (if any)
Warnings/cautions; care & disposal
Contact details; revision/version

Design

Diagram-first; icon legend; bold warning blocks
Language sets per market; pagination rules
Print-ready PDF + native package

Barcodes & retail data

Unit codes

UPC-A (US) / EAN-13 (EU/UK) with correct size & quiet zone; high contrast; avoid varnish over bars unless specified.

Cartons

ITF-14 for master cartons include

item/qty/orientation; scannable after tape/straps.

Optional QR for video/manual.

Structure & inner protection (choose by priority)

Clear blister / clam

Best visibility & anti-theft; sealing/tooling cost; check retailer plastic policies.

Folded card nest

Fast & low cost; good for simple shapes; moderate protection.

Pulp / corrugated tray

Eco feel, crush strength; molded tooling time; stable for long transit.

Polybag + supports

Dust protection, light cost; warning print; thickness rules apply.

EPE/EVA foam

Clear, multilingual, diagram-first, print-ready PDF package.

Prototyping & print path

Blank box

Cut/crease sample to verify structure & dieline.

Digital mockup

Full graphics on near-final stock; cost varies by size/finish.

Plates & die

Printing plates and cutting plate (window/blister tools if needed).

Mass print & QC

Ink rub, color target, barcode scan, glue & assembly checks.

Toy packaging dieline and artwork layers for retail box

Toy instruction guide layout with multilingual diagrams

Toy packaging transit drop test and pallet pattern planning

Drop testing on different corners and heights verifies protection during transport-often mandatory.

The inner tray determines protection and unboxing-choose it carefully while balancing cost.

Good dielines improve retail display and user experience; manuals must be clear and truly instructive.

Drop test & transit readiness

Align the required ISTA method with your buyer/retailer, run pack-out, simulate corner/edge/flat drops, record damage, adjust trays/void fill, and re-test if needed. Confirm pallet pattern & top-load; consider humidity conditioning for long sea freight.

What you provide • What you get • Timeline

What you provide

Brand assets & claims; barcode numbers (GS1)
Lab/retailer requirements & markets
Translations (or choose our service)
Factory printer specs (if fixed)

What you get

Final dielines & print-ready PDFs
Manual PDF + native files
Carton marks & barcode verification snapshot
Transit pack plan & mockup
photos

Typical timeline (reference)

Structure & blank box: 3-5 days
Artwork & manual vl: 5-10 days
Digital mockup: +5-10 days after art lock
Plates/die & print slot: 1-2 weeks

Actuals vary by size, finishes, language count, and printer capacity.

Cost drivers & add-ons

Cost drivers (informational)

Box size & finishes (foil, spot UV, window)
Manual page count & languages
Tray type & tooling (blister/pulp molds)
Digital mockup size & stock choice
Retail extras (anti-theft, hang tabs, seals)

Optional add-ons

Translation management & legal review
3D pack renders & shelf mockups
QR micro-site for video/manual
Sustainability material swaps

Ready for retail-ready packaging & manuals?

We'll design compliant artwork and guides, prototype the box, verify barcodes & cartons, and prepare you for production.