What is a dieline, and why does your packaging need one?

A dieline is the flat template of a package. It shows where the material is cut, where it is folded and how much extra artwork needs to run past the edge so nothing shows white after trimming.

Artwork is placed on the dieline so the print lines up once the box is folded and glued. A logo that looks centred on a flat file can end up across a fold if it is not placed on the real template.

Always ask for a dieline built to the inside size of your product, not a stock size that is close. A few millimetres of difference decides whether the product rattles or fits snugly.

Before anything is printed, check a proof of the artwork on the dieline. It is much cheaper to move a logo on a screen than on ten thousand boxes.