Packaging basics
What is a dieline in packaging and printing?
A dieline is the flat map of a package. It tells a converter where to cut the board, where to crease it, and how the finished shape fits together.
Generate a dieline
From flat to finished.Quick answer
A packaging dieline is a scale drawing of the unassembled pack, with separate marks for cuts, folds, and sometimes perforations. Artwork is placed on the dieline with bleed beyond the trim (commonly 3 mm) and important content inside a safe area. The printer or converter uses the drawing to produce the blank that folds into the finished package.
How do you read a dieline?
Imagine opening a carton along one seam and laying it flat. The outside border is the cut path. Interior score lines are the hinges. Flaps, dust tabs, and a glue tab are part of the same piece of board, even though they do not look like the front face of the box.
Line colours and styles vary by supplier. The important part is that each line type is identified clearly. A cut must not be mistaken for a crease, and an artwork border must not become an accidental knife line.
| Mark | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | The knife trims the board | Outer path closes and intentional openings are marked |
| Crease or score | The board bends here | Panels and flaps hinge in the intended direction |
| Perforation | A controlled tear or opening | It has its own line type, separate from cuts |
| Glue area | Surface used to join the pack | Artwork and coating follow the converter’s guidance |
Where does artwork go on a dieline?
The dieline is the structure; the printed design is another layer. Background images and colours extend beyond cut edges into bleed so small cutting movement does not reveal raw board. Essential type, logos, and barcodes stay inside a safe area, away from cuts, creases, and glue.
A flat sheet makes it easy to put a headline on the wrong side of a flap. Fold the dieline in 3D or make a paper dummy before signing off the artwork.
What happens after a dieline is approved?
A print-ready PDF carries the artwork; a vector dieline carries the cuts and folds. They may be combined in one file with named die layers or supplied separately, depending on the printer. Include dimensions, units, board grade, and an image of the assembled box so there is less room for interpretation.
The converter should confirm the manufacturing details before a run. A digital fold is excellent for spotting a reversed panel or stray score. A physical sample checks the fit, closure force, and material behaviour.
Choose a structure
Pick the box, pouch, sleeve, or label that matches the job.
Set the size and material
Use finished dimensions and board caliper.
Place artwork
Add bleed and protect important content inside the safe area.
Proof the fold
Check panel orientation and closure in 3D and on a sample.
Send production files
Confirm die line names and file format with the printer.
Common questions
Is a dieline the same as a template?
A template is a reusable starting structure. A dieline is the specific, sized cutting and folding drawing for your package. A parametric template can generate many dielines.
Do I need a dieline for a label?
Yes, when the label is cut to a specific shape. The dieline marks the trim path even if the label has no folds.
Can I draw a dieline myself?
You can, but start from a checked structure or a supplier drawing when possible. Board allowances, lock tabs, and crease positions affect whether the physical package assembles.
How much bleed and safe area does a dieline need?
Printers commonly ask for about 3 mm (1/8 in) of bleed past the cut line and a similar margin inside it for type and logos, but follow your printer’s spec. New DielineMaker projects start with 3 mm of bleed and a 3 mm safe area, and both can be changed.
What file format is a dieline?
Usually a vector file: a PDF with the die lines on a named spot colour or their own layer, or a DXF for cutting tables and CAD. SVG and AI files are also common. DielineMaker exports dielines as PDF, Illustrator, SVG, DXF or CF2, with die lines on ISO 19593-1 spot separations.
Put it into practice.
Start with the structure, check the fold, and make the file your printer needs.
Generate a dieline