How to Read Packaging Dieline Drawings

A Guide for Beginners

- Mailer Box · Folding Box · Paper Bag -

How to read the dieline diagram?

As a graphic designer, you don't  need to know how to draw a mould. But you have to understand what the lines on the drawing mean, otherwise you will set up the wrong or the opposite.

Although three-dimensional packaging design is good. However, if you are still unsure of the structure after moulding, it is recommended to print the mould drawing in miniature and actually fold it for a better understanding. Especially the complex structure, this step should not be ignored.

01. Mailer Box, Flip Folding Box

The box can be designed on 7 sides including the front, sides, back, bottom, inner opening and front opening. If you need to design the inside of the box, please copy the dieline and rotate it 180 degrees to make sure the design direction is correct.
Please pay attention to the positions where the box is folded in: these positions are not visible after folding, so please avoid placing important design elements here.

Please refer to the following diagram for the design.

02. Shipping Box

There are 8 sides of the box can be designed, including the box top, sides and bottom openings. Please note the folded-in positions: these positions are not visible after folding, so please avoid placing important design elements here.
You can refer to the following diagram for the design.

03. Sleeve

There are 4 sides of the box can be designed including the front, back, top and bottom. Please note that the box side is not visible after folding the sticky side, so please avoid placing important design elements here.

Please refer to the following drawing for the design.

04. Auto-close Bottom Folding Box, Tuck End Box

The box can be designed in 7 sides including the front, back, side, top and bottom.  Please pay attention to the gluing position and the folding in position: these positions are not visible after folding, so please avoid placing important design elements here.

You can refer to the following diagram for the design.

05. Lid Base Folding Box

There are 10 sides of the box can be design, including the top, bottom and sides. Its structure is divided into the lid and the bottom of the box. Please pay attention to the position where the box is folded in: the box surface cannot be seen after folding, so please avoid placing important design elements here.

You can refer to the following diagram for the design.

06. Drawer Style Folding Box, Sleeved Folding Box

There are 9 sides of the box can be designed, including the front, bottom, sides and inner box, and the structure is divided into a inner pull-out box with a cover. Please pay attention to the gluing position and the position of folding in: these positions are not visible after folding, so please avoid placing important design elements here.

Please refer to the following drawing for the design.

07. Brown Kraft Bag, Paper Bag

The bag can be designed on 5 sides including the front, back, sides, and bottom. Please pay attention to the sticking position and the folded-in position: these positions are not visible after folding the box, so please avoid placing important design elements here.

Please refer to the following diagram for the design.

After reading the above tutorial, I believe you already have a basic understanding of the dieline!