Artwork · 6 min read
How to read a dieline without a design degree
A dieline is a flat map of a three-dimensional object, drawn in three kinds of line. Once you know which line means what, you can check your own artwork before it reaches us.
Three lines, three meanings
Color conventions vary between suppliers, so read the key rather than assuming. What does not vary is that solid means gone and dashed means folded.
| Solid | A cut. The blade goes through here. |
|---|---|
| Dashed | A crease. The board folds here but stays joined. |
| Dotted or shaded | A glue tab, or a panel that ends up hidden. |
Bleed, trim and safe area
Bleed is artwork that runs past the cut line, usually by 3 mm. It exists because no press registers perfectly, and without it a one-millimeter drift leaves a white sliver at the edge. Extend every background to the bleed line, always.
Safe area is the opposite: keep text and logos at least 3 mm inside the cut. Anything closer risks being trimmed, and anything across a crease will crack when the board folds.
Never put a barcode across a crease. It will fold, and it will stop scanning.
Which panel faces out
On a flat dieline it is not obvious which side of the sheet is the outside. Most dielines are drawn from the outside face, so what you see is what a customer sees — but the glue tabs give it away, because they always fold inward.
If you are printing inside as well, ask for a second dieline mirrored for the inside face. It is free and it prevents the single most expensive artwork mistake there is.
The four checks before you send it
We check every file free and send back a marked-up version if something will not print. If you are still deciding on the structure rather than the artwork, build the shape in the box tool first and we will send the dieline to draw onto.
- Background extends past every cut line by the full bleed.
- No text or logo within 3 mm of a cut, and none crossing a crease.
- Dieline layer is present, on its own layer, and set to overprint rather than knockout.
- Fonts outlined or embedded, images at 300 dpi at final size, colors in CMYK plus any spots.
Common artwork questions
What do the different line types mean?
Solid lines are cuts, dashed lines are folds, and a dotted or colored line usually marks a bleed or safe area. Every dieline we send carries a key.
Which panel is the front?
The dieline marks it. If it is not clear, ask before placing artwork — a design on the wrong panel is a reprint.
Where should I keep artwork away from?
The fold lines and the cut edge. Anything within 3–4 mm of either risks being creased or trimmed.
Why is my dieline bigger than the box?
It is the flat blank before folding, including glue tabs and bleed. The finished box is smaller in every dimension.
Can I change the dieline?
Only by talking to us — changing a dimension changes the tool. Artwork changes on the same dieline are free.
Do you supply the dieline free?
Yes, with every quote, before you commit to anything. It is yours whether or not you order.
What software opens a dieline?
Any vector editor — Illustrator, Affinity, Inkscape. It is a PDF or AI file with the cut and fold lines on their own layer.
What file format do you want?
Print-ready PDF with the dieline on its own layer. AI and INDD work too. We can work from PNG or JPG for simple one-color jobs, but not for anything with fine detail.
Do you charge to fix artwork?
No. We check it free and tell you what needs changing. If you want us to make the changes, we quote that separately before doing anything.
My designer wants the dieline before quoting. Can I have one?
Yes. Send the dimensions and style and we will send a dieline, whether or not you order.