Custom Packaging

What is a CAD dieline and what do the standard line colors (red, green, blue) mean?

🛡️ Fact-Checked: Packaging Technical Team 📅 Published: 19 Aug 2026 ⏱️ Read Time: ~2 mins 👁 Views: 3
⚡ Direct Answer & Key Takeaways

Learn how to read a CAD packaging dieline — cut lines (red), crease score lines (green/blue), perforations, bleed margins, and safe zones.

Comprehensive Guide & Technical Breakdown

A CAD dieline is the 2D technical vector drawing that acts as the blueprint for cutting and folding a box. Standard industry line colors prevent costly manufacturing errors:

### Standard Dieline Color Coding:

  • Solid Red Lines (Cut Lines): Tells the laser die-cutter where to cut completely through the paperboard.

  • Solid Green or Blue Lines (Crease / Score Lines): Indicates where the die will press a blunt crease into the board for clean folding without cutting through.

  • Dashed / Dotted Lines (Perforation Lines): Indicates partial cuts and ties for easy-open tear strips.

  • Cyan / Gray Boundary (Bleed Line): Positioned 3mm outside the cut line; background artwork must extend fully to this boundary.

  • Inner Safe Margin (Safe Zone): Located 3mm–5mm inside the cut/fold lines; all text, logos, and critical graphics must stay inside this zone.

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