How to prepare print-ready box artwork

Print-ready artwork sits on the dieline, extends 3 mm past the cut edge, keeps important content inside the safe area and uses CMYK color at 300 dpi. Get those right and most orders go straight to production.

Start from the dieline

The dieline is the flat outline of the box with cut lines and fold lines. Always design on the dieline for the exact size you are ordering. We send it as a PDF or Illustrator file. Never resize it.

Bleed

Bleed is extra artwork that runs past the cut line, usually 3 mm. It prevents white edges if the cut shifts a little. Extend backgrounds and patterns to the bleed line.

Safe area

Keep logos and text at least 3 to 5 mm inside the cut line and away from folds. Anything closer risks being clipped or hidden in a crease.

Images and resolution

Use images at 300 dpi at the size they will print. A web image at 72 dpi looks soft on a box. If you only have a small logo file, ask us. Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF with vectors) print sharply at any size.

Color mode

Design in CMYK for print. Colors from screens (RGB) can look duller when converted, especially bright greens and blues. Pantone spot colors are available on offset runs. On digital runs they are converted to the closest CMYK match.

Fonts

Convert text to outlines, or embed fonts in the PDF, so nothing swaps when we open the file. Keep small text at 6 pt or larger and avoid thin strokes on dark backgrounds.

Exporting a PDF

• Use PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 if your software offers it.
• Include the bleed but not crop marks unless asked.
• Keep the dieline on its own layer and mark it as a non-printing guide.

What we check for free

Every order gets a print check that covers bleed, resolution, color mode and fonts. We send a digital proof before production starts. You approve it, and only then does the order go to print.