Launching your first product feels exciting until it’s time to order your boxes and you need a dieline (template) for your custom packaging. Even if you’d never heard of a dieline before, it's not as complicated to create as it sounds. And yes, you absolutely do need one for your product packaging. This guide will show you exactly how to nail your first one.
What Is a Dieline? (The Simple Answer)
A dieline is a blueprint or template for your custom packaging, almost like a cookie cutter template, but for boxes. When you unfold any corrugated cardboard box completely flat, you see how all the panels connect and how the box was designed to fold. A dieline shows this exact layout with lines marking where to cut, fold, and glue your custom packaging together.
Why Your Product Needs a Dieline
You can't order custom packaging without a dieline. Manufacturers won't be able to make your boxes without this design template, so this is a step you can't skip or quickly gloss over. This is why dielines are so important:
- You can't go into production without one: Your box manufacturer needs your dieline to program their cutting machines. Once you send it to them, they'll know what you want your finished product to look like and can go into production.
- You get to control the customer experience: Dielines show you exactly where your logo and design elements will appear when someone picks up your box. If you want your logo to be perfectly centered, then the dieline will help you get there.
- You dodge expensive headaches down the road: Getting your dieline right from the start keeps your project rolling smoothly. If there are any issues with your boxes, you might have to stop shipments until that's taken care of.
How Box Genie Creates Your Dieline
You don’t need design or engineering skills to get professional dielines from Box Genie. We handle the technical stuff. All you have to do is:
- Start by picking your box style on our website and entering your dimensions.
- Click “Design Box Online Now” to open our design tool.
- Select "Preview” from the top menu, then select the downward-pointing "Download PDF” arrow in the top center of your screen. You’ll have a ready-to-use dieline with all the technical marks your designer needs.
- Upload your completed design back to our tool for a 3D preview. You’ll see your box before ordering, which means you’ll find no surprises when your shipment arrives.
What Happens After Your Dieline Is Ready?
Your dieline is the blueprint for production. Once your dieline is ready, our team will use it to cut and fold your boxes with precision.
You get exactly what you designed and delivered as soon as possible by putting a little work into your dieline. Once your artwork is submitted and approved, we’ll handle the rest, and you can go back to getting your product into customers’ hands.
Ready to Get Started?
Great packaging starts with knowing how the basics work, and dielines are the very first step. Box Genie makes the process simple so you can create boxes that make your products shine. Create your custom packaging today and see how easy professional design can be.