A practical guide to help you understand packaging dielines, dimensions and the files needed before productions.

Understand the technical file

A packaging design is not usually placed onto a blank page.

It is built on a dieline, which is the technical flat layout provided for the packaging structure.

The dieline shows how the final packaging is built and where the design needs to sit.

What a dieline can include

Depending on the packaging type, it may show:

• Cut lines
• Fold lines
• Glue areas
• Panels
• Flaps
• Bleed
• Safe areas
• Structural dimensions
• Print areas
• Non-printable areas

The dieline should come from the manufacturer or packaging supplier whenever possible.

They are the ones who know the exact structure, tolerances and production requirements for the packaging they will manufacture.

Why dimensions matter