An uploads panel can contain several similarly named logos and an image that was used only for a mockup. Without a separate register, an editor may choose a familiar file instead of the approved one. A short asset manifest makes the design inputs understandable without turning a packaging project into a complex database.
01
Define what belongs in the register
Include the assets that affect this packaging job: logo variants, photographs, illustrations and supplied icons. Add the exact file name and a small reference thumbnail where useful. Keep unrelated inspirations separate so a moodboard image cannot be mistaken for material approved to appear on a sold product.
For a hypothetical soap collaboration, the owner supplies three logo files and two photographs. Give each a simple internal reference and describe its role. Mark one photograph as review-only when that is the owner’s instruction. Do not assume that receiving a file establishes every permission needed for commercial use.
02
Make unresolved questions visible
Add a status column with plain terms such as approved input, replacement requested or awaiting owner confirmation. Identify the person who can resolve the question and the decision needed. Avoid writing a reassuring yes into a rights field merely because the image already appears in an older presentation.
Canva supports tables as editable design elements, which can be used for a compact visual register. Keep a text or spreadsheet copy as appropriate for the team. The record is an organizational aid, not a legal opinion about ownership, licensing or the scope of someone else’s agreement.
| Review item | What to record |
|---|---|
| Asset reference | Exact supplied file |
| Intended use | Approved project role |
| Status | Decision and responsible person |
03
Check file identity during layout review
Compare the logo or image in the design with the manifest thumbnail and reference name. Confirm that a low-resolution review image has not replaced the original production asset. Inspect whether the selected mark has been distorted or whether a photograph has been cropped beyond the agreed subject treatment.
When a replacement arrives, add a new record and state which earlier reference it supersedes. Update the affected pages deliberately, then compare the export. Quietly overwriting a folder file can leave collaborators unsure which version the proof actually contains, especially when multiple variants share a similar appearance.
04
Archive the inputs alongside the accepted result
Before release, mark which assets appear in the approved design and retain the relevant owner confirmations according to your normal business records. Exclude private customer information that the printer does not need. Send only the files required for the agreed production handoff rather than forwarding the entire project history.
Keep the manifest short enough to maintain. Its value is the connection between a real input and a real use, not the number of columns. Editable label artwork can provide the composition, while the manifest helps you insert the right brand materials and keep their origin clear through later revisions.
BEFORE YOUR NEXT STEP
Your practical checklist
- Register the supplied project assets.
- Separate inspiration from approved inputs.
- Flag unanswered use questions.
- Verify exported file identity.
Questions & answers
Does an asset manifest grant permission?+
No. It records the inputs and decisions supplied by the responsible people. Resolve uncertain permissions through the appropriate owner or professional.
Should I include customer contact details?+
Include only information needed for the task. The printer usually needs asset identification, not an unrelated customer record.
Sources & further reading
Official references for the technical points in this guide. Check current specifications before production.
