How do proofs work (and what happens after approval)?

A proof is your final opportunity to verify label specifications before production begins, ensuring your custom labels meet all requirements. Once approved, we immediately proceed to printing with zero modifications possible—this prevents costly errors and keeps Ontario-based production on schedule.

At Lux Label Labs, our proofing process is designed to eliminate expensive mistakes common in Canadian labelling—like unreadable compliance text on Health Canada submissions, incorrect barcode dimensions for retail scanning, or material mismatches for Ontario's variable climate conditions. We've all seen labels peel in Toronto humidity or crack in Calgary winters; our proofs catch these issues upfront. For example, a craft brewery in Ottawa recently avoided $1,200 in wasted materials when their proof revealed a critical 0.5mm size discrepancy that would have prevented sleeve application.

What you approve

Our high-resolution digital proofs (or physical samples for specialty materials) require your verification of these critical elements:

• Final size + shape – Confirm exact dimensions including bleed areas and corner rounding. A Waterloo distillery once approved square corners but needed rounded for their curved bottles—caught during proofing.
• Layout, text, and hierarchy – Scrutinize mandatory bilingual compliance text (French/English), ingredient lists, and nutrition facts. Tiny text? We'll adjust while it's still digital. Explore material options in our material guide for optimal readability.
• Material direction – Verify if you need durable vinyl labels for outdoor use, eco-friendly kraft paper for Ontario farmers' markets, or crystal-clear BOPP labels for premium product presentation.
• Roll specifications – Double-check core size (76mm standard), outer diameter, and unwind direction. Incorrect unwind direction is the #1 cause of production line stoppages in Canadian packaging facilities.

Pay special attention to adhesive selection—our adhesive guide helps match materials to surfaces like cold beverage cans or textured maple syrup bottles. Remember: what looks perfect on screen may differ on physical materials, which is why we recommend physical proofs for critical applications.

What changes after approval

Understanding our post-approval workflow prevents timeline disruptions:

• Edits trigger new proof cycles – Any change after approval (even minor text corrections) requires resetting press configurations. This isn't bureaucracy—it's precision manufacturing. A Toronto skincare brand learned this when changing expiry date format added 3 days to their timeline, but prevented 500 ruined labels.
• Production clock starts immediately – Ontario-based printing begins within hours of approval. Our Brampton facility maintains 2–5 business day turnaround thanks to this streamlined process. Need rush service? Call us—we often accommodate same-day proofs for urgent Canadian deadlines.
• No "small" exceptions – Even colour adjustments require new proofs. Monitors display colours differently; we match PANTONE® standards physically. That "slightly greener" green you requested? We'll show you exact swatches.

During Canadian winter months, we account for temperature-controlled shipping in our timeline. Never rush approval—take 48 hours to verify, but know that delays push your entire production schedule. Our Ontario labelling centre processes hundreds of proofs weekly, but your craft cider batch won't start until we have your explicit "APPROVED" confirmation.