What is a Dieline in Printing and Packaging

Posted April 6, 2023 What is Dieline in Packaging

Are you in the packaging business and looking to grow it? Well, you need to be sure your boxes carry the design you need to add. Making them stand out can help your sales grow with an impressive outlook and performance. The better your die-line looks will always equal a better impression for your customers and clients.

So, are you ready to make your dielines special? Well, this article can help you learn what they are, why they matter, how to design them, and the whole process. Furthermore, this article can help you learn the importance of this crucial step in your box preparation. So, let’s get some knowledge to nail it with perfect designs.

What Is A Dieline?

This design is one of the most important processes when it comes to packaging. It helps your process with the basic structure of your boxes and packaging. This file is a layout your workers need to give you the package you need. In addition, you can use this file to indicate what the design will look like, what creases it will carry, and where it will cut a certain way.

A graphic designer makes this template to help start the procedure. Dotter cut lines and fold line, bleed lines, safety lines, and glue tabs are common types in packaging templates.

You can see what a box will look like after production with the dielines. Also, you can be sure your graphics will look how you want them. So now you know what is a dieline in printing.

Why It Matters?

Well, the thing here we need to know is what parts this template impacts during production. So, every part of a packaging box depends on it. So, here are some things it impacts when used right:

  • It gives information about your package’s design size, and visual elements.
  • Also, it would work for images, text, and other elements like graphics, patterns, and styles of your boxes.
  • At the same time, it tells if there will be a crease at a certain part of the box and much more.
  • It is a way to give information to designers about what the box you want will look like.
  • Customization of your products improves when you use the right template.
  • Using it can help you have better quality, including the protection it can carry.
  • At the same time, it improves design effectiveness.

What Features Should It Carry?

Knowing the best features of what dieline should carry is super important. So, before you go on and start working on it, you need to understand some elements you need to remember, like:

  • It should carry the elements your customers will be interested in seeing.
  • It would be best to use the graphics that matter for your brand voice and the image you want to create.
  • Also, you should know what laws apply to your product packaging. You must remember this to ensure it goes within the laws. Food packaging or CBD packaging would have different parameters for the design.
  • Be sure the packages carry all the branding and promotional elements you must add when designing them.

Things to keep in mind:

  • It should carry the perfect size you need for your box.
  • Your die line should be according to your product weight. The heavier the product, the thicker this template will be.
  • Also, you should be clear if your industry knows what your design will look like.
  • At the same time, you should be sure about the artwork you want to add to your packages.

These features can make your designs better and improve your results. First, there is variable information that a repackager should have. Then, there is non-variable information like the bleeds, which helps avoid design problems when printing.

Another part of these templates is the crossing points that help print perfectly well. Also, you can find a safety zone, a part you can leave blank in an area you do not have to print.

Some Other Parts You Should Know About

Different parts of the die-line impact what kind of output you get, like:

  • Fold lines are the part that marks the box folding point.
  • The portion of your product where no print should be is what you call safety lines.
  • Bleed lines are an important part that you can use to avoid any problems in the graphics you print.
  • Cut lines can help when their alignment is right with the bleed lines and you can cut it right with a jig machine.

Creating Dielines: The Process

Now you know what you need in these templates, you can learn how to get the one you want.

Here is what you need to follow for the purpose:

  • You must have a sample close to the template you want before you start.
  • Measure the existing one by flattening the box by unfolding it.
  • Then, it would help if you used a design tool that will also provide you with a 3D view of your box.
  • You can measure your box and its design on this software. Make sure this box is close to the one you want to create in accordance with.
  • Also, when preparing the design, try sending it to your client to get the best idea.
  • Make sure you create the template in vector files for your machines.
  • Be sure you know the dimensions and other stuff as well as you can to ensure a great design.
  • Another step that takes place is the uploading of the design.
  • Also, you should ensure only the best ink gets to your print.

Top Software To Use For The Process

Now we know why they matter and what features they carry, you should also know what software they should use. So, you can try the following ones for the purpose:

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Also, you can try Corel Draw to make this template.
  • Adobe InDesign can also be a great option.

Some Tips To Remember

You should know what your package will fit inside the box when designing. Also, you should know how it will be displayed in a store or an online site. Finally, ensure you find out if the package needs certain parts for protection.

Your inserts should be made apart from the box when you need them. Giving maximum protection should be a clear goal you need to have. At the same time, you should not spend anything extra to make it cheap yet impressive.

If your boxes are different and unique, be sure your machines and printers can produce them.

Common Problems When Creating Dielines

Everything we do can have some common problems you may face. The same goes with the designs we create for our boxes, so here are some common issues and how we can avoid them in this process:

  • Make sure the whole file comes from a vector.
  • The graphic part of your image that is not digital should carry Pantone coloring.
  • Your graphical elements should not be at the edge of your bag.
  • At the same time, you should check your spaces and the size of the die line before you finalize the template.
  • You should do a detailed audit of images before you publish. So, ink the image properly to get the best results.
  • Also, ensure you read your text well when ready to print it. This way, you can improve your text
  • accuracy when your final product is ready.
  • Using the right resolution of any non-vector image is also a must. You may use vectors whenever you add an image, but using digital images can also be a possibility.

Packaging Hub Solutions Can Perfect Your Results

This article was about what is a dieline packaging and why it matters. The better you know about this template, the better graphics, logos, and other packaging elements you can have. Packaging Hub helps you get perfect solutions for your packaging to ensure better results. Our solutions can improve your box beauty and help you get the desired results.

Author Image
Steve Harsh
Steve Harsh, a packaging and printing expert who has been working in the field for over a decade. It has been my privilege to write on this topic, which I have been doing for years to help people learn about this essential field that helps millions achieve their business goals.

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