Launching a food or beverage product in Oman means your packaging is doing three jobs at once: protecting the product, complying with regulations, and selling itself on a crowded shelf. Get the design brief wrong and you discover the problem after the print run, which is the expensive way to learn. Use this checklist before you sign off artwork on any F&B SKU.

1. Material and food safety

Confirm the substrate is food-grade for direct or indirect contact as required.
For greasy or wet products, specify a barrier coating or laminate (PE, PLA, or grease-resistant board).
For frozen or chilled SKUs, confirm the adhesive and ink survive condensation and low temperatures.
Match the structure to the logistics: e-flute corrugated for shipping, folding carton for retail shelf.

2. Bilingual labelling (Oman requirement)

Product name, ingredients, and key claims in both Arabic and English.
Production and expiry dates clearly placed (and a defined spot for the date coder on the line).
Net weight or volume in metric units.
Country of origin and the manufacturer or importer details.
Storage instructions where relevant (keep refrigerated, store in a cool dry place).

Never letter-space the Arabic text. It is the most common mistake and it breaks the word shaping. See our guide on bilingual EN+AR design for the typography rules, which apply to packaging too.

3. Barcode and scannability

Use the correct barcode symbology for retail (typically EAN-13) at a tested size.
Keep the quiet zone (clear margin) around the barcode.
Avoid placing the barcode on a curve, seam, or dark background that kills scan contrast.
Proof-scan the barcode from the printed proof, not just the file.

4. Dieline and structure

Design on the correct dieline with bleed (typically 3mm) and safe margins.
Keep critical text and logos away from fold lines and glue flaps.
Mark which panel is front, back, top, and tuck so the artwork orients correctly when folded.
Request a physical white mock-up (a folded blank) before full print to check proportions in the hand.

5. Colour and finish

Specify brand colours in Pantone where consistency across runs matters.
Decide on finish early: matte vs gloss lamination, soft-touch, spot UV, or foil for premium SKUs.
Remember that finish affects both shelf appeal and cost. See hot foil vs spot UV for a finish comparison.

6. Quantities and cost

Print economics reward volume. A short first run validates the design and the market, but unit cost drops sharply at higher quantities. Plan your launch quantity against realistic sell-through, and ask for a price break table so you can see where the cost curve flattens.

7. Pre-press sign-off

Approve a digital proof, then a physical proof for colour-critical SKUs.
Check spelling in both languages with a native reader.
Confirm the date-code area is clear.
Scan-test the barcode.
Sign off in writing before the run.

Work with BHD

BHD produces folding cartons, corrugated boxes, labels, paper bags, and sleeves for Omani F&B brands. Send your product spec and we will recommend the structure and finish. See the packaging printing page or WhatsApp +968 98899100.

Custom Packaging Design Checklist for F&B SKUs