Artwork Guidelines

Packlane’s 3D Design Tool is an interactive way to create and order custom packaging online, and it's ideal for most projects. If your artwork is too complex for the 3D Design Tool, or you prefer working in Adobe Illustrator or another professional design application, you can download a custom-sized dieline template and create your artwork in 2D instead.

How do I download a dieline?

You can download a free custom dieline template for creating your artwork in Adobe Illustrator or another design application.

1. Visit your preferred product page and configure your custom product.
2. Click Upload Now to proceed to the upload page.
3. Click Download Dieline Template to download the PDF dieline.

Once you have created the artwork in your application of choice, return to the Upload Now page to submit it with your order. If your file(s) exceed 600MB, please reach out to our team for next steps. If you’re creating artwork for both the inside and outside of a box, save each print side as a separate file and label them clearly (for example, Box_Exterior and Box_Interior).

Note: Dielines are for artwork setup and production only. They will not print on your finished box.

What are Packlane’s artwork guidelines or recommendations for designing?

For complete guidelines for designing artwork for print, you can read our comprehensive Artwork Guidelines.

Before sending your artwork to us, make sure that:

• The file(s) are created using CMYK color mode.
• All fonts are converted to outlines/paths.
• All images are embedded (not linked).
  To do this in Adobe Illustrator, right-click the element(s) in the Links palette and select Embed File(s).
• All transparencies have been flattened (this includes less-than-100% opacity screens and overlays).
• Raster images are high resolution (300ppi at print size).
• Text and line art follow our guidelines.
• At least 0.125” of bleed is included where artwork extends beyond the cut edge (0.25” on corrugated boxes).
• All artwork is inside the safe zone area and backgrounds are extended into the bleed area.
• Artwork is saved in one of the acceptable vector or raster image formats.
• There are no cut or crop marks except those from the Packlane dieline.
• If you're creating artwork for both the inside and outside of a box, submit each design as a separate file and label them clearly (for example, Box_Exterior and Box_Interior).

How can I check if the artwork is oriented correctly on my box?

To help ensure your artwork prints correctly, use one of our printable Box Models to verify the orientation of each panel before submitting your design. When designing in professional design software, we recommend printing, cutting out, and assembling a Box Model for reference–this is the easiest way to confirm that your artwork will appear right-side up on the finished box.

How do I send my completed artwork file to Packlane?

Once you have created the artwork in your application of choice, return to the Upload Now page to submit it with your order.

1. Visit your preferred product page and configure your custom product.
2. Click Upload Now to proceed to the upload page.
3. Name the project, if you wish.
4. Add your files in the Upload your artwork section of the page.
5. Click Continue to add the item to your cart.

If your file(s) exceed 600MB, please reach out to our team for next steps.

If you created artwork for both the inside and outside of a box product, save each print side as a separate file and label them clearly (for example, Box_Exterior and Box_Interior).

Note: Dielines are for artwork setup and production only. They will not print on your finished box.

Still have questions?

Get in touch with our team–we’re here to help!

Bonus! We created a fun personality quiz for you that can help you develop a brand identity for your packaging.