Dielines Explained: How to Design a Custom Box

A dieline is the flat blueprint of your box - the map of every cut, fold, and glue line laid out flat. Designing your artwork on the correct dieline is the single most important step to getting a box that prints and folds perfectly. Here is how it works.

What is a dieline?

A dieline is a vector template showing the box unfolded. Solid lines are cuts, dashed lines are folds (creases), and marked areas are glue tabs. Your artwork is placed on top of this template.

Key parts of a dieline

• Cut lines - the outer edge and any windows.
• Fold/crease lines - where the board bends.
• Bleed - extend artwork past the cut to avoid white edges.
• Safe zone - keep text away from cuts and folds.

Designing on a dieline

Work in vector software, keep artwork on its own layer above the dieline, extend bleed, and account for panels that wrap around. Remember the box is 3D - check which panels meet. See our box templates guide.

Get the size right first

A dieline starts from correct dimensions. See our box size guide and the complete guide to custom printed boxes.

Frequently asked questions

What software do I need for a dieline?

Vector tools like Adobe Illustrator are standard; keep artwork and dieline on separate layers.

What is bleed?

Artwork extended past the cut line so trimming never leaves a white edge.

Can you provide a dieline?

Yes. We supply a dieline template for your exact box so your artwork lines up perfectly.

Design your box

Start from the right blueprint. Explore our custom printed boxes or the e-commerce boxes collection.