Artwork Guidelines
Everything you need to know about preparing print-ready artwork for your custom packaging. Follow these guidelines to ensure your files are production-ready and avoid delays.
File Format
Submit your artwork as a vector-based PDF (preferred), AI (Adobe Illustrator), or EPS file. Vector formats ensure your lines, text, and graphics print crisp and clean at any size. Avoid submitting JPG, PNG, or other raster-only formats as your primary artwork file.
Colour Mode — CMYK, Not RGB
All artwork must be created in CMYK colour mode. RGB is designed for screens, not print. If you submit artwork in RGB, it will need to be converted to CMYK, which can cause significant and unexpected colour shifts — especially with bright colours like reds, oranges, and greens.
If you need exact brand colour matching, reference colours using the Pantone Solid Coated colour book. Specify Pantone (PMS) numbers wherever brand-critical colours are used.
Image Resolution
All raster images (photographs, textures, etc.) must be 300 DPI at 100% of the final printed size. Low-resolution images will appear blurry or pixelated when printed. Acceptable image formats include TIFF, PSD, EPS, or high-quality JPEG. Vector artwork (logos, icons, text) does not have a DPI requirement.
Dieline (Structural Template)
When you place your order, we will provide you with a dieline template — the structural blueprint of your packaging. The dieline shows exactly where the carton will be cut, folded, and glued. Your artwork must be placed directly onto this template.
Do not rotate, resize, or alter the dieline. The structural drawing layer contains spot colours for cut and crease lines that are engineered to work with our production workflow. Changing these spot colours to CMYK will cause them to print on your finished box.
Bleed
Extend all background colours, images, and graphics 0.125 inches (3mm) past the cut line. This is called the bleed area. During production, paper can shift by tiny amounts when being cut — if your artwork stops exactly at the trim line, you may end up with visible white edges on your finished box.
Safe Zone
Keep all important content — text, logos, barcodes, and critical graphics — at least 0.25 inches (6.35mm) inside the cut line. This safe zone protects your content from being trimmed off or obscured by folding during production.
Glue Flaps & Bottom Folds
Avoid placing artwork on glue flaps or bottom fold panels. These areas are hidden after assembly and any artwork placed here will not be visible on the finished carton. Your dieline template will clearly mark these areas.
Fonts
Convert all text to outlines before submitting your artwork. This converts your text into vector shapes, which means the printer does not need your font files installed to reproduce your artwork exactly as designed. Always keep a separate editable copy of your file with live text for future revisions.
The minimum recommended font size is 8pt for standard text. For reverse/knockout text (light text on a dark background), use a minimum of 10pt to ensure legibility. Thin or light font weights may need to be even larger.
Inside vs. Outside Printing
If your packaging requires printing on both the inside and outside, place the interior and exterior artwork on separate artboards clearly labelled "Inside Print" and "Outside Print." Each should be on its own layer, properly named to avoid confusion during production.
Special Finishes
If your packaging includes special finishes such as foil stamping, spot UV coating, embossing, or debossing, these must be indicated on separate layers in your artwork file. Create a duplicate artboard showing the finish areas in solid black (100% K value) with clear labels for each finish type.
Avoid These Issues
These are the most common artwork issues that cause production delays. Double-check your files before submitting.