Case Study: Mattel cuts mockup costs to virtually zero and accelerates packaging design with Adobe Creative Cloud

Mattel cuts costs, boosts creativity, and up-levels packaging for world's most famous doll

Mattel, the maker of the iconic Barbie brand, faced a slow, costly packaging design process that relied on physical mockups, outsourced specialty finishes, and time-consuming sign-offs across many product lines. Designers spent significant time sourcing materials, printing comps, and building prototypes, while asset management and remote collaboration were inefficient—delaying time to market and limiting creative iteration.

By adopting Adobe Creative Cloud for enterprise—including Dimension, Aero, Substance, Adobe Stock, and Creative Cloud Libraries—Mattel shifted to a 3D and AR digital workflow. Designers now produce dozens of realistic digital planograms, share 3D URLs for remote approvals, and manage assets centrally, cutting mockup material costs to virtually zero, shortening time to market, boosting creative iteration, improving consistency, and saving thousands of dollars each month.

Mattel

Sal Velazquez

Barbie Staff Packaging Designer