Comparing packaging designs is a critical part of brand, compliance, and regulatory work — but not everyone has access to Adobe or graphic design software. Many teams struggle to review layouts, packshots, and artwork files efficiently without expensive licenses or complex tools. This article explains how to compare packaging design files without Adobe, using simple, accessible methods. You’ll learn which tools to avoid, which free options can help with basic comparisons, and when it makes sense to use dedicated artwork review platforms. The goal is to make packaging reviews easier, safer, and more accessible for non-design teams.
When reviewing packaging designs for new or updated products, brand teams are responsible for more than just visual checks. The review process must support accuracy, collaboration, and compliance — without requiring design expertise or expensive software.
In practice, this means you need a way to:
Compare packaging layouts, packshots, PDFs, and artwork files
Avoid Adobe or other graphic design software licenses
Enable non-design teams (compliance, legal, regulatory, QA) to review files easily
Check critical elements such as:
Ingredient lists
Claims and legal text
Mandatory symbols and recycling marks
Barcodes and product identifiers
Keep all files centralised, traceable, and well organised
Avoid paying for subscriptions or tools that do not match the actual review workflow
The goal is to make packaging reviews accessible, reliable, and efficient for everyone involved — not just designers.
Not all tools that can open design files are suitable for reviewing and approving packaging. The following options often create more problems than they solve.
While essential for designers, graphic design tools are not appropriate for review-only users.
Licenses are expensive and unnecessary for reviewers
The tools are complex and overkill for simple checks
They are not designed for structured approvals or compliance sign-off
They increase the risk of accidental edits
Using email threads and shared drives to review packaging files may seem simple, but it quickly becomes risky.
No reliable version control
Feedback is scattered and easy to miss
High risk of approving the wrong or outdated file
No clear ownership or sign-off record
Standard file-sharing platforms are useful for storage, but not for packaging reviews.
No visual comparison between versions
No audit trail for approvals
No structured review or approval workflows
Limited support for compliance requirements
Instead of relying on design software, email threads, or generic file-sharing tools, packaging reviews should use solutions designed specifically for review, comparison, and approval — not design.
Below are practical alternatives, starting from the simplest options and moving toward more scalable solutions.
This is the most basic method and works for quick checks.
The foundation of any efficient packaging review is using the right file formats.
Recommended formats:
PDF – for layouts, artwork, and print-ready files
JPEG / PNG – for packshots and visual checks
Open the old and new PDF versions
Use two browser windows or tabs
Switch between them manually
Layout changes
Ingredient lists
Claims and legal text
Icons, symbols, barcodes
Any web browser
Preview (Mac) or Adobe Reader (free)
Changes are not highlighted
Easy to miss small text changes
Not suitable for many versions or many reviewers
Use this for: One-off checks or very small updates
When you need to clearly see what changed between two versions, free online tools can help highlight differences in PDFs or images. These tools are useful for short-term needs but are not designed for structured team reviews or approvals.
Upload two PDFs or images
Highlight visual or text differences
Show side-by-side or overlay views
iLovePDF – Compare PDF
PDF24 – Compare PDF
Diffchecker (PDF & image comparison)
Comparing two versions of a packaging layout
Spotting ingredient or claim changes
Checking layout shifts or missing elements
No structured approval process
No version history
No audit trail
Not ideal for multiple reviewers
Be careful with confidential packaging files. Avoid uploading sensitive materials to public tools if data security is a concern.
For ongoing packaging work, multiple reviewers, or compliance-critical reviews, dedicated artwork and packaging review platforms are the most effective option.
These platforms allow teams to:
Compare PDF and image versions side by side
Highlight changes automatically
Add comments directly on the artwork
Involve brand, compliance, legal, and external partners
Track approvals and decisions in one place
They remove the need for Adobe licenses for reviewers and reduce the risk of missed changes or incorrect approvals.
No Adobe licenses needed for reviewers
Fewer mistakes and missed changes
Clear responsibility and sign-off
Full audit trail for compliance
Cway software
Other artwork management / packaging approval platforms
Since packaging reviews often involve ingredient lists, legal claims, and regulatory requirements, it’s important to use tools designed specifically for packaging artwork workflows. Solutions such as Cway software support visual comparison and approval of packaging files without requiring design software licenses. They are built to serve cross-functional teams, including brand, compliance, regulatory, and legal stakeholders. With features like clear version comparison, structured approvals, and a centralised history of packaging assets, these platforms help teams review packaging designs accurately while maintaining traceability and control throughout the approval process.
|
Area |
What this means in practice |
Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Visual comparison without design software |
Open PDFs, images, and packshots in a browser. Compare versions side by side and zoom in on ingredients, claims, symbols, recycling marks, barcodes, and GTIN areas. |
No Adobe or graphic software licenses needed. Everyone can review files accurately using just a browser. |
|
Role-based reviews for different teams |
Brand, compliance, and legal teams can add comments directly on the artwork, focus only on their responsibilities, and approve or reject without editing design files. |
Clear feedback, fewer misunderstandings, and no endless email back-and-forth. |
|
Centralised file management |
Store all versions of each packaging file in one place. Track who approved what and when. Maintain a complete audit trail and link layouts, packshots, and print-ready files together. |
Reduces chaos, prevents wrong approvals, and supports compliance and audits. |
|
Lower costs and smoother workflows |
Only designers need design tools. Reviewers use a browser-based interface. No per-seat creative licenses and faster approval cycles. |
Lower software costs, less rework, and faster time to market. |
When selecting a tool to compare packaging design files without Adobe, it’s important to choose a solution built for packaging review and approval — not design. The right tool should support both brand and compliance workflows while remaining accessible to non-design teams.
When evaluating options, make sure the tool offers:
Visual version comparison for packaging files
The ability to compare different versions of packaging layouts side by side and clearly see what has changed.
PDF and image annotation for packaging reviews
Support for commenting directly on PDFs, packshots, and artwork files without modifying the original design.
Browser-based access with no design software licenses
Reviewers should be able to access and review packaging files using only a web browser, without Adobe or graphic software.
Structured approval workflows for packaging and artwork
Clear approval and rejection steps that reduce confusion and prevent outdated or incorrect files from being approved.
Compliance-friendly audit trails and version history
A complete record of file versions, comments, and approvals to support regulatory, legal, and quality assurance requirements.
Easy collaboration with external stakeholders
Secure access for agencies, printers, and external partners without requiring additional software or licenses.
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