Packaging Dieline & Artwork Guide

The approved dieline reflects a specific structure, material, dimensions, tooling or converting path, and production assumptions.

• Confirm dieline name, revision, date, units, and scale
• Do not redraw, scale, stretch, rotate, or simplify production geometry
• Keep technical lines on named nonprinting layers
• Confirm outside, inside, print side, copy direction, and panel names
• Request a revised dieline when dimensions, material, closure, window, seal, spout, or structure changes

Line names and colors vary by supplier; use the legend on the approved file rather than assuming a universal convention.

• Cut or trim line: final converted edge
• Crease, score, or fold line: intended folding location
• Perforation or tear line: controlled opening or separation
• Seal area: heat-seal zone on flexible packaging
• Glue area: adhesive zone on cartons or corrugated structures
• Sleeve seam or overlap: converted shrink-sleeve joint
• Zipper, spout, valve, hang hole, window, handle, or coding zone: feature-specific geometry
• Bleed and safe-area guides: artwork extension and critical-copy limits

Flat artwork becomes a three-dimensional package. Review it as the consumer, filler, retailer, and production line will see it.

• Identify front, back, side, bottom, top, flap, gusset, seam, overlap, and hidden panels
• Check which panels reverse, tuck, fold, expand, curve, shrink, or become partly hidden
• Verify opening direction, shelf orientation, hang orientation, and copy reading direction
• Keep faces, logos, barcodes, small copy, and panel-to-panel alignment away from high-distortion or high-tolerance areas
• Review filled-package shape; an empty flat dieline does not show final bulge, gusset deployment, or container curvature

Bleed and safe area address normal manufacturing variation; the required values depend on the format and supplier.

• Extend backgrounds and images through the specified bleed
• Keep critical copy inside the specified safe area
• Avoid fine borders that visually reveal cut, seal, fold, or registration variation
• Account for zipper, top seal, bottom seal, gusset, spout, valve, carton flap, glue area, and sleeve seam
• Use separate named layers or swatches for white ink, varnish, foil, embossing, windows, metallic effects, and other production operations

Artwork approval and structural approval answer different questions.

• Use a plain sample or prototype to confirm fit, volume, opening, assembly, and pack-out
• Use a folded or formed mockup to review panel order and copy orientation
• Use a proof to review content, separations, and stated color limitations
• Use material, finish, sleeve, label, seal, or line trials where the project risk requires them
• Record the approved dieline revision, artwork revision, proof, sample, exceptions, and approver before release