Illustrator Automation Examples
Workflow Solutions That Transform Production Efficiency
These Illustrator automation examples demonstrate how targeted workflow solutions transform packaging, apparel, and design processes. Each solution showcases practical automation that reduces production time and eliminates manual errors in real production environments.
MockUpinator - Dieline Creation: Illustrator Automation Examples
This dieline creation solution demonstrates how packaging design automation transforms time-consuming die-cut creation into efficient workflows. Packaging teams can generate precise box die-cuts with customizable features including multiple bottom closings, adjustable flaps, bleeds, and technical specifications. The solution handles various packaging types from simple tuck-end boxes to complex snap-lock designs, reducing die-cut creation time from hours to seconds while maintaining production-ready accuracy. [Learn more about the MockUpinator implementation]
Barcode Generation: Illustrator Automation Examples
This barcode generation solution demonstrates how workflow automation transforms text-based product identifiers into production-ready barcodes without disrupting design layouts. The solution converts 13-digit text strings directly into EAN-13 barcodes while maintaining original placement, scaling, and rotation properties. Packaging teams can integrate barcode generation seamlessly into existing Illustrator workflows, including batch processing and variable data operations, eliminating external applications and preserving design continuity. [Learn more about the EAN-13 barcode implementation]
Color Chart Generation: Illustrator Automation Examples
This color chart generation solution demonstrates how workflow automation transforms color documentation into professional brand assets. Design teams can create customized color charts with comprehensive color information (CMYK, RGB, HEX, LAB values) from selected objects or swatch groups, ensuring brand consistency across presentations and style guides while eliminating manual color documentation processes. [Learn more about the ColorList implementation]
Color List Automation: Illustrator Automation Examples
This color list solution demonstrates how workflow automation streamlines color extraction and documentation for textile and fashion design teams. Extract colors from selected objects and display them automatically as organized lists with comprehensive color information, improving brand consistency and workflow efficiency. [Read the implementation guide] or [watch the workflow demonstration]
Packaging Version Management (Box Dielines)
This packaging version management solution demonstrates how the SmartPack script automates variable data integration directly onto box dielines and packaging structures. Packaging teams can automatically apply product information, barcodes, and variant-specific text to multiple box designs, maintaining structural accuracy while processing entire product ranges.
Key capability: Automated data population on dieline templates—transform a single master dieline into dozens of product-specific packaging variants with variable text, codes, and specifications applied automatically from spreadsheet data.
Streamlines packaging production for multi-SKU rollouts, product line extensions, and regional variants. Perfect for packaging teams managing box designs where each product requires different information on the same structural template—eliminating hours of manual text updates across dieline files.
UPC-12 Generation: Illustrator Automation Examples
This UPC-12 generation solution demonstrates how workflow automation transforms text-based product identifiers into production-ready UPC-A barcodes without disrupting design workflows. The solution converts 12-digit text strings directly into scalable barcodes while maintaining original placement, rotation, and sizing properties. Features intelligent layer management, checksum validation with error correction suggestions, and batch processing capabilities for high-volume production environments. North American packaging teams can integrate barcode generation seamlessly into existing Illustrator workflows, eliminating external applications while ensuring production reliability. [Learn more about the UPC-A barcode implementation]
Page Numbering Automation: Illustrator Automation Examples
This page numbering solution demonstrates how workflow automation transforms multi-page document management in Illustrator.
Production teams can automatically add page numbers, document names, and dates to all artboards with customizable styling that adapts to different document dimensions.
Key capability: Once you’ve set up your preferred text style on the first artboard, the script replicates that formatting across all remaining artboards automatically—eliminating the need to manually format page information on each individual page.
Streamlines multi-page packaging layouts, technical documentation, and presentation materials while maintaining design consistency. Perfect for high-volume production workflows where maintaining uniform page information across dozens of artboards is essential. [Learn more about the PageIndexer implementation]
Label Creation: Illustrator Automation Examples
This label creation solution demonstrates how the SmartPack script automates production-ready label and hangtag generation from variable data. Packaging and apparel teams can generate dozens of label variants with automated barcode integration, pricing, sizing, and product specifications—reducing manual data entry while maintaining accuracy across large production runs.
Key capability: Batch label generation from product catalog data—import CSV or Excel files with product information and automatically generate production-ready labels, hangtags, or product stickers with all variable elements properly formatted and positioned.
Particularly valuable for apparel manufacturers managing size runs, retail operations requiring rapid label production for new products, or any scenario where identical label designs need different data for each SKU. Perfect for seasonal launches requiring hundreds of label variations quickly.
Page Information Management: Illustrator Automation Examples
This page information management solution demonstrates how workflow automation provides flexible control over document metadata display in Illustrator. Production teams can configure which pages display page numbers, document names, and dates, adapting the solution to various project requirements. Enhances document organization and workflow efficiency across multi-page packaging layouts, technical documentation, and presentation materials. [Learn more about the FlexPageMaster implementation].
Artboard Duplication Automation: Illustrator Automation Examples
This artboard duplication solution demonstrates how workflow automation accelerates document setup in Illustrator for large-scale projects. Production teams working with packaging rollouts, multi-variant layouts, or version control workflows can duplicate artboards with all layers and objects intact, eliminating repetitive manual setup.
Key capability: Duplicate one or multiple artboards simultaneously while preserving all content and layer structure—essential for packaging teams creating multiple SKU variants or version iterations from a single master layout.
Note: Transparency masks require manual reapplication, but the solution significantly reduces setup time for complex multi-artboard documents.
Streamlines packaging variant creation, technical documentation setup, and multi-version layout workflows eliminating setup bottlenecks for production teams managing large-scale multi-artboard projects.
Artboard Resizing Automation: Illustrator Automation Examples
This artboard resizing solution demonstrates how workflow automation simplifies document reformatting in Illustrator.
Production teams can resize all artboards simultaneously using their document’s native units (cm, mm, inches, or points), eliminating repetitive manual adjustments when adapting layouts for different specifications or regional requirements.
Key capability: Automatic unit detection from document properties—the script resizes using whatever measurement system your document is already configured for, streamlining multi-artboard reformatting for packaging templates, technical specifications, or regional adaptations.
Enhanced version of the original script by Carlos Canto and Scott Lewis (scott@atomiclotus.net, atomiclotus.net), adding automatic unit compatibility for international production workflows. Useful for production teams managing template libraries across different regions or adapting packaging layouts for various substrate sizes.
Data Set Management Automation: Illustrator Automation Examples
This data set naming solution demonstrates how workflow automation improves variable data management in Illustrator. Production teams working with Illustrator’s Variables feature can automatically rename data sets based on CSV file content through a simple interface, eliminating manual naming and improving data set organization.
Key capability: Select columns from your CSV file to create meaningful, descriptive data set names—essential for packaging teams managing dozens of product variants or technical documentation with multiple data-driven versions.
Particularly valuable for workflows combining Illustrator Variables with external databases, product information management (PIM) systems, or spreadsheet-based content management where clear data set identification prevents errors and improves production efficiency.
CODE 128 Generation: Illustrator Automation Examples
This CODE 128 generation solution demonstrates how workflow automation transforms text objects into production-ready barcodes for packaging, labeling, and logistics applications. Teams can convert any text directly into scalable vector barcodes while maintaining design integrity and workflow continuity within Illustrator.
CSV to Swatch Color Management: Illustrator Automation Examples
This color management solution demonstrates how workflow automation transforms spreadsheet data into organized Illustrator color systems. Design teams can import CMYK or RGB color data directly from CSV files, eliminating manual swatch creation while ensuring brand consistency across packaging and design projects.
Key capability: Bulk import of color palettes from external brand systems—transform spreadsheet color specifications into working Illustrator swatches instantly, ensuring accurate brand color implementation across all packaging materials.
Particularly valuable for packaging teams working with multiple brand guidelines, agencies managing client color systems, or production workflows requiring frequent color palette updates from PIM systems or brand portals. [See practical Pantone implementation examples] and [learn advanced swatch management techniques].