What is a packaging dieline and how do I use one?

A dieline (also called a die template, cut guide, or structural template) is a flat 2D technical drawing showing exactly how your packaging will be cut, creased, and folded to create the final 3D box.

Think of it as a blueprint for your packaging — it shows every cut line, fold line, and bleed area.

What a dieline contains:

• Cut lines (solid lines) — where the die will cut through the board


• Score/fold lines (dashed or dotted) — where the board will be creased for folding


• Bleed area — the extra 3mm beyond the cut line where your artwork must extend


• Safe zone — the inner boundary where important content (text, logos) must stay


• Glue areas — zones that will be glued to assemble the box

How to use a dieline:
1. Download the dieline from your packaging supplier (usually in AI, PDF, or EPS format)
2. Open it in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or your design tool
3. Place your artwork on a separate layer, keeping the dieline layer visible
4. Ensure artwork bleeds to the bleed line on all edges
5. Keep important content (text, logos) within the safe zone
6. Turn off the dieline layer before exporting/saving your final artwork
7. Export as a PDF with crop marks and bleed included

Common mistakes:


• Not extending artwork to the bleed (results in white edges after cutting)


• Placing important content outside the safe zone


• Submitting artwork in RGB instead of CMYK


• Low resolution images (must be 300 DPI minimum)