If you are in the packaging industry, you must have often encountered the term dieline. The importance of this term can be highlighted by stating that the packaging industry is incomplete without dielines. It is important for both packaging and printing to provide a visual description of the final look.
What is a Dieline?
A dieline is a vector art that provides a 2D template of your box. It consists of straight lines that guide the die-cutting machines about where to cut, crease, or perforate the packaging material. The print design on the box is also made considering the dielines.
Types of Dielines
Various types of lines have different purposes. The following are the common types of dielines:
Fold Lines: These are the lines along which the boxes must be folded. Creases are created along these lines to help in the easy assembly of the boxes.
Cut Lines: The lines along which the boxes must be cut are called cut lines. They provide a definite shape to the packaging material.
Bleed Lines: If you want to extend the print design of your box towards the edges of the box as well, then bleed lines are used. These lines ensure that no area is left white on the box.
Safety Lines: They are marked inwards from the safety lines. They ensure that no important artwork is cut during the die-cutting process.
Glue Tabs: These are the areas where glue or adhesive material is applied. They help stick the two edges of the box together to convert it into a 3D structure.
Perforated Lines: These lines are mostly used in display boxes. These are the lines along which the box may be torn later to create a hole or compartment through which you may take out the products.
Importance of Dieline in Packaging and Printing
Dielines are very important in both packaging and printing. They help create the foundation of your box. You will get a rough idea about the box shape, size, and design with the help of dielines. The following points highlight the importance of dielines:
Dimensions
Dielines are made using exact measurements of your required box. Therefore, they provide you with an estimate of the box dimensions. You can see if the size of the box fits your requirement. If it is not the case, you may make changes in the dieline template.
Artwork
People are often confused about the artwork in their boxes. They are often faced with the question of whether the artwork will match the box design and dimensions, or will the design fit on the box properly. Hence, dielines provide you with an estimate of the artwork. You can check if you like the artwork and make suitable changes according to your requirements.
Die-cutting
Dies are made according to the dieline templates that later help in die-cutting. It is the process in which the packaging material is cut according to the box requirements. Die-Cutting is only possible with dielines that guide the whole process.
Box Layout
If you are confused about your box layout, dielines will clarify. They will give you an idea about the box design. You can see if the box’s color, size, and design match each other. You may take a printout of the complete dieline before sending it for die-making. Fold the paper along all those edges from which the box has to be folded or cut.
How to Create Dielines?
Designing dielines is a very creative and important process. It is the first step towards your box-making. Dielines are created in the form of vector art. The most commonly used tool for creating dielines is Adobe Illustrator. You may either make these dielines yourself or ask a designer. Moreover, many online templates available can be of great help to you.
If you think creating dielines through Adobe Illustrator is difficult, then you are wrong. The following simple steps will make it very easy for you to create dielines for your boxes all by yourself:
- Open Adobe Illustrator.
- If you have an artwork file, you are already working on, press Ctrl+O. Select your file from the window that appears on the screen.
- The next step is to select the layer on which you will work. Select a window on the top right corner of the screen. Pick the option of “layers” and select the one you have to work on, locking all the other ones.
- Select CMYK color mode from the drop-down menu.
- Check for the orientation of your final design and written text. Double-check it before finally sending it to the die-cutting machines to ensure no mistake happens.
What are the Requirements?
The following are some prime requirements that may help you create impressive dielines:
- These are created in the form of graphic art using Adobe Illustrator.
- Use the exact dimensions of your box before making dielines to reduce the chances of error.
- Take a printout of your final dieline design to check for accuracy.
