Adobe Illustrator Packaging & Label Production Artist

# Adobe Illustrator Packaging & Label Production Artist ### One-Time Freelance Project | Beverage Packaging | Vectorization & Print Production We are looking for an **expert Adobe Illustrator production artist with professional packaging and print experience** to convert our finalized beverage packaging concepts into clean, manufacturer-ready vector artwork. This is a **one-time, fixed-scope freelance project**, not a salaried or ongoing employment position. However, our brand is growing and we regularly update packaging and add new designs. If this project goes exceptionally well, we would be very interested in working with the same designer on future projects. ## ABOUT THE PROJECT We have already developed and finalized the overall creative direction for our beverage packaging using AI-assisted design. We love the designs and **are not looking for someone to redesign them from scratch.** Your primary responsibility will be to professionally recreate/vectorize the approved designs in Adobe Illustrator and prepare them correctly for commercial printing and manufacturing. This includes: * Accurate vector reconstruction of the approved artwork * Professional Adobe Illustrator file organization * Typography recreation and outlining * Print-ready color setup * Holographic/special-effect artwork preparation * Proper placement of supplied logos, barcodes, QR codes and regulatory elements * English and Spanish packaging versions * Final production files that our manufacturer can open and print without needing additional fonts or missing assets ## HOLOGRAPHIC PRINT EXPERIENCE IS IMPORTANT This will be our first packaging design incorporating **holographic elements**, so we are specifically looking for someone who understands how artwork must be prepared for specialty printing. You should have a strong understanding of: * Holographic substrates and/or holographic print effects * Spot colors and specialty print layers * White ink/white underbase layers when required * Knockouts and transparency * CMYK and spot-color workflows * Color management * Overprint considerations * Print separations * Packaging prepress * How the final printed result may differ from what is displayed on screen We will provide the visual direction for the holographic elements, but we want the designer to use their print-production expertise to make sure the files are constructed correctly to achieve the intended result. ## REQUIRED DELIVERABLES ### 1. Adobe Illustrator — 5 Production Files We require **5 separate, fully editable Adobe Illustrator (.AI) files:** 1. English Label — Front & Back 2. Spanish Label — Front & Back 3. English Case Box 4. Spanish Case Box 5. Case Handle — Used for both English & Spanish packaging All Illustrator files must be professionally organized and manufacturer-ready. **All final text must be converted to outlines.** Our manufacturer does not download or install fonts. The final production files must therefore open correctly without requiring any external fonts. Linked assets should be embedded or otherwise packaged appropriately so there are **no missing links, fonts, graphics or production assets.** ### 2. PDF — 6 Files Total Please provide: 1. English Label — Front & Back 2. Spanish Label — Front & Back 3. English Case Box 4. Spanish Case Box 5. Case Handle 6. Master PDF containing all final designs together ### 3. PNG — 5 Files Please provide high-resolution PNG exports with **transparent backgrounds and no white background:** 1. English Label — Front & Back 2. Spanish Label — Front & Back 3. English Case Box 4. Spanish Case Box 5. Case Handle ## FILES & ASSETS WE WILL PROVIDE You will receive the existing design concepts and available production assets, including: * English bottle front & back mockups * Spanish bottle front & back mockups * English packaging design mockups * Spanish packaging design mockups * Case box mockup/reference * Case handle mockup * Existing Adobe Illustrator handle file * Previous Adobe Illustrator label file * Two previous production PDFs for sizing, formatting and production reference * Unbelievable Water logo * Whale logo * BPA-Free logo * Halal certification logo * GTIN barcode * QR code * Nutrition Facts label * Other necessary production assets The previous AI/PDF files are being supplied primarily to help you understand the manufacturer's **dimensions, dielines, formatting and production requirements.** ## WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR We are specifically looking for someone with: * **Expert-level Adobe Illustrator skills** * Strong manual vector reconstruction abilities * Professional packaging or label production experience * Commercial print/prepress knowledge * Strong color knowledge * Experience preparing files for actual manufacturing * Understanding of holographic or specialty print production * Excellent attention to detail * Ability to accurately reproduce an existing approved design * Clean, organized Illustrator file structure * Ability to work efficiently and communicate clearly Experience specifically with **beverage, food, CPG, bottle labels or retail packaging** is strongly preferred. This is **not simply an Image Trace project.** We expect artwork to be manually reconstructed, cleaned and optimized where necessary so the finished files meet professional commercial-print standards. ## TIMELINE We are ready to begin within the **next 24–48 hours**. Our goal is to move efficiently while still allowing time for physical print testing and color/effect adjustments. We anticipate the complete process, including production testing and final adjustments, taking approximately **2–3 weeks**. The Illustrator production work itself may be completed significantly sooner. ## PRINT TESTING & REVISIONS An important part of this project is ensuring that the digital artwork translates correctly to the **physical printed label and packaging**. Once the initial production-ready AI files are received, they will be sent to our manufacturer for testing. We will review: * Color accuracy * Holographic effects * White/opaque elements * Print separations * Artwork positioning * Overall physical appearance If a technical adjustment is necessary because the physical print differs from the approved digital artwork, we expect the designer to work with us through reasonable production adjustments until the files are properly prepared. ## PAYMENT & MILESTONES We are comfortable structuring the project using **milestone payments**. Because these files are ultimately being created for physical manufacturing, we would like the final milestone to be tied to successful production-file verification after the manufacturer has tested the artwork. A potential structure is: **Milestone 1:** Initial vector reconstruction and production setup **Milestone 2:** Completion and delivery of manufacturer-ready AI files for testing **Milestone 3:** Final revisions, production verification and delivery of the complete AI/PDF/PNG package The exact milestone structure and payment amounts can be agreed upon before work begins. ## WHEN APPLYING Please send: 1. A brief introduction 2. Examples of packaging or label projects you personally prepared for commercial printing 3. Examples of your Adobe Illustrator/vector work 4. Any experience with holographic, foil, metallic, spot-color, white-ink or specialty printing 5. Confirmation that you understand **prepress and manufacturer-ready packaging files** 6. Your estimated turnaround time 7. Your fixed-price quote for the complete project 8. Your availability to begin within the next 24–48 hours **Please do not apply if your experience is primarily AI image generation or basic Image Trace/vector conversion.** We are looking for an Illustrator specialist who understands both **design and real-world print production**. ### Potential for Future Projects Although this is currently a **one-time project**, we regularly update our packaging, introduce new designs and expand our product line. If you deliver excellent work, communicate well and demonstrate strong production knowledge, we would prefer to continue working with you rather than search for a new designer for every future project.