Understanding the concept of dieline has a prime value in the packaging industry. You must have encountered this term often while searching for any box types, whether they are custom boxes, mailer boxes, or custom shipping boxes. It is the first step towards your packaging journey that provides you with a road map for making perfect boxes.
What is Dieline?
A dieline is a 2D representation of the packaging that shows all the folds and cut lines in a flattened form. It is vital in the die-cutting process to ensure that the design is laid out correctly before production begins.
Types of Lines in Dieline:
Dieline is made from vector art and has lines and tabs informing the machine where to cut, crease, or perforate the packaging material. The following are the types of lines used in dieline:
Fold lines – these are the lines along which the box has to be folded. The machines crease along these lines to help fold the box.
Cut lines – the packaging material is cut along these lines making the final shape of the box.
Bleed lines – these are the marginal lines that provide a cushion to save from imperfect printing on the sides of the box. Printing is extended to these lines to ensure no blank area is left on the edges of the paper in case it moves in the printing machine.
Safety lines – marked inwards from the cut lines, safety lines ensure no important artwork is trimmed during the cutting process.
Why Dieline is Important in Packaging?
Dieline formation is the first and most important step in the entire packaging formation process. It provides a digital blueprint for the box.
It is important for two primary reasons.
Artwork and Design:
The first is that it is a great assistance for setting artwork and design on the box. As the dieline provides a visual template, it gives an idea about the placement of the artwork. You can check if the color combinations and designs on the template match the packaging material.
Also, see the placement of the logo and the brand name. These two things are prominent enough on the box for the users to notice. You can adjust the placement of these two on the dieline.
Dielines also provide appropriate packaging dimensions to ensure the box size matches the product. Therefore, take correct measurements while making the dielines.
It is the first step in the packaging formation. Therefore, you need to be very careful while making them. Make as many changes in the dielines as you like until the final design reaches perfection according to your standards.
Die-cutting Process:
The second point that highlights the significance of dielines is the die-cutting process. The dieline acts as a guide for the die-cutting machine. It directs the machine to trim, perforate or crease the packaging material along the directed line.
The dies are made according to the dielines and then fixed on the machines. These dies are the molds or templates that have the shapes and dimensions matching with the dielines. The machines then apply pressure on the paper to modify it according to the dimension and shape of the die.
Dielines are vector lines that are understandable by die-cutting machines and printers. The cuts and folds made by the machines contribute to the final shape of the box.
If you are confused about the design and shape of your packaging, dielines will prove to be of great help. You can also change your box design if it is not suitable.
How to Create a Dieline?
Dieline is vector art that is created using Adobe Illustrator.
Open Adobe Illustrator on your PC and set the document color mode to ‘CMYK.’
If you have a sample box with dimensions and shape matching your desired box, you can take an idea from that box. Using a sample box for an idea is better if you are making dielines from scratch.
Select the desired box dimensions on the illustrator. After you have made the template, select another layer on the Illustrator to place designs on the box. Do not remove the previous layer. One layer will have the vector lines for box shape and dimension. The other layer will have the print design.
Extend the print design outside the margins into the’ bleed’ area to confirm that no area is left blank on the box.
Double-check the orientation of your design. Make sure that the design faces the right side of the box.
If you have some images or text to be placed on the box, also insert them in the file.
To avoid confusion, mark the box’s front and back sides.
After finalizing your dieline, remember to save your document in .pdf or .ai format.
In addition to using Adobe Illustrator, you can use other software programs like ArtiosCAD to make dielines.
Dieline Requirements:
- Dielines are created for machines that understand graphical vector art. Therefore, use Adobe Illustrator to create it.
- Take accurate measurements because the dieline will eventually become the box.
- You may create a hard copy of the dieline template to ensure all the dimensions and designs meet your requirements. The physical design will help you catch errors in your box design and size.
- If you are creating a dieline from scratch, you may use dieline packaging design tips from experts for your assistance.
How can we help create a Dieline Design for you?
Dielines assist in the conversion of a 2D paper to a 3D box. You can hire expert graphic designers who create dielines for your boxes. However, if you are not in contact with any designer, we are here to assist you with dieline design services. You can also check our pre-built dieline templates to get an idea about the process.
Corey Andrew works as a Content Marketer at MailerBoxes.us. He writes on dieline designs, packaging materials, and print technologies and how they benefit customers, company owners, package designers, and industry specialists in their Packaging.
