PLATE 01PMS 208 CContents

1. How export printing differs from domestic printing
2. The 13 countries Printer Ofset exports to
3. Regulatory matrix by target market
4. Export documentation and logistics
5. Color standards and the proofing process
6. Frequently asked questions

PLATE 02PMS 214 CHow export printing differs from domestic printing

Same design, same quality, same paper — but when the target market is Hamburg or Dubai instead of Izmir, the print team's workflow changes from the ground up:

1. Regulatory compliance — The labeling and packaging standards of the EU, the US, the Middle East and the Far East all differ. EU 1935/2004 food-contact directive, CLP 1272/2008 chemical-product labeling, the REACH list of restricted substances, the EU Ecolabel — every one must be verified before printing.

2. Language variety — Export packaging typically carries 3–5 languages (e.g. TR for the domestic market; EN + DE + FR for the EU; AR + EN for the Middle East). Each language requires its own font testing, character-count checks, and right-to-left (Arabic) layout.

3. Differing color standards — European printing uses ISO Coated v2 (ECI) as standard; the US uses GRACoL; Japan uses JapanColor. The same Pantone looks different under a different ICC profile. The printer must know the target market's standard profile.

4. Differing paper and substrate — Northern Europe's FSC requirements are stricter than Turkey's; the US calls for BPA-free coatings; the Scandinavian market requires special certification for cruelty-free dairy labels.

5. Packaging standards — EUR pallets are mandatory in the EU; the US uses GMA pallets; sea-container palletizing requires ISPM-15 heat-treated wood; air freight needs special packaging.

6. Customs documentation — Certificate of Origin, EUR.1 movement certificate (EU trade preferences), invoicing types (proforma + commercial), packing list — these documents must be ready before the print project is delivered.

PLATE 03PMS 221 CThe 13 countries Printer Ofset exports to

The markets Printer Ofset has exported to regularly since 2014:

For each market, a dedicated "country lead" is assigned within the operations team — well versed in regulatory updates, local business partners and freight suppliers.

PLATE 04PMS 227 CRegulatory matrix by target market

The main target markets and their critical regulations:

European Union (EU)

• EU 1935/2004: Food-contact materials (ink migration, lamination)
• EU 10/2011: Specific migration limits for plastic food packaging
• CLP 1272/2008: Chemical-product hazard labeling (GHS pictograms)
• 1223/2009: Cosmetic-product labeling (INCI, PAO, batch number)
• 2001/83/EC: Pharmaceutical packaging (Braille mandatory, tamper-evident)
• PPWR (2025–): Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation — recyclability marking
• EAA 2025-06-28: European Accessibility Act (digital + physical accessibility standards)
• FSC / PEFC: Paper sustainability (mandatory in Northern EU markets)

United States of America

• FDA 21 CFR Part 701: Cosmetics labeling
• FDA food-contact: Food-packaging contact materials
• CPSIA: Children's products + packaging safety standards
• TSCA Title VI: Formaldehyde emission standards (packaging-based)
• CA Prop 65: California state chemical warning labels

Middle East (UAE + Saudi Arabia + Kuwait)

• SASO / GSO: Gulf states' shared standard (Arabic labeling required)
• ESMA: UAE food-safety standard
• Halal certification: Special labeling for halal products

Russia + CIS

• GOST: Russian product-quality and labeling standards
• Cyrillic alphabet: Product name + ingredient list must be printed in Cyrillic
• EAC (Eurasian Conformity): Eurasian Economic Union's shared conformity mark

In the standard workflow Printer Ofset's operations team applies to every project, the target-market regulatory checklist is the first step — completed before the file is even accepted.

PLATE 05PMS 234 CExport documentation and logistics

Delivering an export-printing project means more than just the shipment leaving the factory. The following documentation package is part of standard delivery:

• Commercial Invoice: Actual sales value, HS code, origin information
• Packing List: Contents of each pallet/carton, the count + weight + dimensions of each box
• Certificate of Origin: Issued via the Union of Chambers of Turkey
• EUR.1 (for EU markets): Customs preference + reduced tariff
• FSC Chain of Custody (for sustainability projects): Paper origin + chain certificate
• Migration Test Report (food packaging): Independent laboratory report
• ISPM-15 Certificate (wooden pallets): Heat-treatment certificate

Logistics options:

• Road TIR (EU + Balkans): 7–14 business days, most economical
• Sea container (Far East + Americas): 30–45 days, economical for large volumes
• Air freight (urgent + small volume): 3–5 business days, 3–5x more expensive
• Express courier (samples + small shipments): DHL, FedEx, UPS — 2–3 business days

Turkey's proximity to the Port of Izmir and Adnan Menderes Airport gives Printer Ofset logistical flexibility on export projects.

PLATE 06PMS 241 CColor standards and the proofing process

Color management demands special attention on export projects:

ICC profile selection — the standard differs for each target market:

• EU: ISO Coated v2 (ECI) — the most common European standard
• US: GRACoL 2013 — the US print-industry standard
• Japan: Japan Color 2011 Coated
• General: ISO Coated v2 300% (universal fallback)

If the client does not specify an ICC profile, Printer Ofset's prepress team recommends one based on the target market.

Proofing process — standard procedure on export projects:

• Press proof (from the actual press) is essential — a digital proof is not enough
• Approval in the target market — the client can also ship the proof to their export partner's office for local sign-off (a 14–21 business-day chain)
• Binding proof — the signed proof is part of the print contract; color disputes are resolved by reference to the proof

Batch consistency — on long-term export projects (regular monthly shipments), a reference sheet is kept in the Printer Ofset archive. Subsequent batches are calibrated against this sheet; a ΔE <5% tolerance is maintained over the long term.

PLATE 07PMS 7425 CFrequently asked questions

What is the minimum volume for an export order?

For offset projects, the economical minimum is 10,000 units + a full container pallet (roughly 1 EUR pallet). Smaller volumes are possible, but the per-unit freight cost rises. Digital export (personalized work) starts at 500 units.

I don't know the regulations of my target market — can you help?

Yes — our operations team will share the current regulatory checklist for your target market. For complex projects (e.g. pharmaceutical packaging for the EU market), we coordinate with an independent regulatory consultant when needed.

Is freight insurance included?

Standard ICC (A) freight insurance is included, covering up to 110% of the shipment value. In special cases (high-value luxury cargo), additional insurance can be requested by the client.

How are returns on an export project handled?

In the event of regulatory non-compliance or a customs hold, the Printer Ofset operations team manages the process. A shared cost structure between client + Printer Ofset is standard. Pre-shipment verification (proof + certificate review) reduces this risk by 95%.

Can you invoice in euros or dollars?

Yes — export invoices are issued in EUR, USD or GBP. Price quotations are provided in parallel across four currencies.

For an export-printing project, get in touch with Printer Ofset's export operation →