Packaging Design Essentials

How to Prepare Your Box Artwork for Optimal Print Results

Download and follow these guidelines to ensure your logo and other elements are prepared for print.

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Box Genie Design Guidelines

FREE GUIDE

Prepare Your Custom Box Design for Print

Download our free guide to make sure your artwork is print-ready. This comprehensive resource covers essential packaging best practices, including:

  • Dieline format
  • Font recommendations
  • Line widths & bleeds
  • Colors & density
  • UPC & QR code placement
  • Graphic resolution

Ensure your designs meet every expectation before submitting your files for print.

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eCommerce Mailer Boxes with Custom Print

Your Box Genie Design Checklist

Use this checklist to confirm each best practice before submitting your dieline (template) for print, ensuring your packaging is set up for a smooth and accurate production run.

Acceptable File Format (AI, EPS, or PDF)

6 pt. Minimum Positive Text Size

0.5 pt. Minimum Positive Line Thickness

Full Bleed Coverage

Art Placement Clear of Cuts & Scores

CMYK Color Mode

UPC & QR Code Placement

300 DPI Graphic Minimum

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Accepted File Formats for Box Genie
Accepted File Formats

Box Genie supports multiple file formats, including Adobe Illustrator, Encapsulated PostScript, and Portable Document Format (PDF).

Design and Print Your Box Artwork in CMYK
Color Guidelines

For optimal results, convert all artwork to CMYK. Box Genie's digital printers utilize CMYK ink to accurately reproduce your colors.

High-Quality and Resolution Branded Boxes
Resolution Requirements

Ensure all artwork and images are placed at 100% size. For the best quality, image resolution should be at least 300 DPI (Dots Per Inch).

Rolled Epson Sample Prints

How to Design & Prepare Your File Offline

If you're not using Box Genie’s Design Studio, you can download your box dielines and create your artwork in another program such as Adobe Illustrator or Canva.

  • 1

    Download Your Dieline

    Choose your box style, input your project specs, and download the corresponding dieline template to begin your design.
  • 2

    Set Up Your File

    Open the dieline in Illustrator or your preferred design tool. Switch your document to CMYK color mode. Extend all background colors to full bleed. Place artwork and logos at 300 DPI or higher.
  • 3

    Review & Submit

    When your design is complete, save your final file as PDF/X‑4. Before submitting, double‑check spelling and grammar, image resolution, text legibility, safety areas and cut lines, and background fills and bleeds.
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Your Custom Box Design FAQ Hub

Explore the most common questions about artwork setup so your packaging prints as intended.

RGB colors will shift when converted to CMYK, so we recommend converting them before submitting your file. This gives you full control over how the final printed color will look.

All artwork should be converted to CMYK before submitting. Our digital printers use CMYK ink, so converting ahead of time helps ensure your printed colors match your design expectations.

Absolutely. While we don't offer design services, if you’re unsure about any part of the process, our team is here to help guide you through preparing your artwork for a smooth print run.

Any artwork that extends to the edge of the box should include a full bleed, meaning it must extend past the trim line. This prevents unwanted white edges after cutting.

You can download our free design guidelines for a full walkthrough of best practices. It covers dielines, fonts, bleeds, color setup, resolution, and more — everything you need to prepare your artwork confidently.

A dieline is the template that shows where your box will be cut, folded, and glued. Designing directly on the dieline ensures your artwork aligns correctly with the final structure of your packaging.