Packaging Design Guide

Artwork and dieline practices that reduce proof cycles and keep brand colors predictable on production presses.

Work from approved dielines

Always design on the production dieline supplied for your exact size and style. Do not scale templates from unrelated projects.

Keep structural layers locked and place artwork on labeled panels matching outside vs inside orientation.

Extend backgrounds 1/8 inch beyond trim for bleed. Keep logos, barcodes, and regulatory text inside safe margins away from scores and folds.

Remember that glue flaps and tuck panels may not be visible on the finished box—avoid placing critical copy there.

Define brand colors as CMYK builds or spot Pantone colors per substrate. Kraft and colored boards may need revised builds.

Request printed proofs when launching a new brand palette or metallic ink.

Increase x-height and line spacing for ingredient statements. Avoid ultra-light weights that disappear after print gain on absorbent stocks.

Use barcodes generated from your GS1 data with quiet zones preserved.

Export print-ready PDFs with fonts outlined or embedded, links flattened, and spot colors named consistently.

Include a signed-off mockup showing fold progression so prepress can catch inverted panels early.

Reference the structures and materials here when you submit dimensions, quantities, and artwork for quoting.