Artwork Guidelines for
Packaging Printing
Follow our artwork guidelines to ensure your packaging prints accurately. Learn about file formats, resolution, colour settings, and packaging templates to avoid delays and achieve the best print results.
Prepare Your Artwork
The Right Way
Your packaging design deserves to print perfectly on the first try. That’s why we’ve built this Artwork Guidelines page — to help you set up your files like a pro, avoid costly printing errors, and achieve stunning, production-ready results every time.
Whether you’re designing custom boxes, retail packaging, or luxury rigid cartons, following these guidelines ensures colour accuracy, crisp graphics, and precise cutting alignment.
UK-based business? All our guidelines are written for UK businesses. We use metric measurements (mm) and accept all major professional design file formats.
Accepted File Formats
We accept high-resolution, editable vector formats to ensure sharp, scalable results across all packaging sizes and print methods.
Using the correct file format means your artwork can be accurately interpreted by our pre-press team, minimising delays and avoiding reformatting fees.
Preferred Formats
- .AI — Adobe Illustrator (best option)
- .PDF — Press-ready PDF
- .EPS — Encapsulated PostScript
Also Accepted (with conditions)
- .PSD — must include linked images + fonts
- .TIFF — high-resolution only
- .INDD — InDesign with all linked assets
- .PNG / .JPG — previews only, not for final print
File Resolution and Colour Mode
Minimum: 300 DPI. Anything below may appear blurry or soft when printed at full packaging size. For fine details and small text, 400 DPI is recommended.
Always design in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). RGB is used for screens — colours will shift noticeably when converted to CMYK for printing.
Bleed, Safety, and Cut Lines
Precision matters in packaging. Incorrect bleed and safety margins are the most common cause of print errors. Follow these guidelines to protect your design during cutting and folding.
| Zone | Size | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Bleed Area | 3 mm beyond each edge | Ensures full ink coverage — prevents white edges after trimming |
| Safety Margin | 3 mm inside trim lines | Keep important text and logos inside this zone to avoid trimming |
| Cut Line | Actual trim size | The die-cut or shape outline where the box will be cut |
| Fold Lines | On dieline | Represent creases — avoid placing text or logos directly on folds |
Fonts and Text Handling
Text is one of the most common sources of print errors. Fonts that aren’t embedded or outlined correctly can be substituted during pre-press, completely changing your layout.
Always convert all text to outlines or paths before submitting your final file. This turns your text into vector shapes, ensuring it prints exactly as designed — regardless of what fonts our system has installed.
Font Guidelines
- Convert all text to outlines/paths before submitting
- Minimum font size: 6pt for legibility
- Avoid very thin fonts in reverse or metallic print areas
- Use vector text (not rasterised) for sharper printing
- Check overprinting settings for white text on dark backgrounds
Linked Images and Embedded Elements
Image Requirements
- Embed all placed images to prevent missing-link errors
- Use .TIFF or .PSD formats for highest image quality
- Avoid compressed .JPGs for final print output
- Provide a packaged folder (with links + fonts) if using linked files
- 300 DPI minimum at final print size
Missing image links are one of the most common reasons artwork gets returned or delayed. Before exporting, use your design software’s “Package” or “Collect for Output” feature to bundle all linked assets.
High-quality, fully embedded files help our team process your artwork quickly and accurately, reducing the risk of delays to your order.
Spot Colours, Foil, and Special Finishes
Special finishes like foil stamping, embossing, or Spot UV require unique colour channels. Each finish must be created as a separate, clearly labelled layer.
✨ Foil Stamping
Create a separate “Foil Layer” set to Overprint Fill. Label it clearly so our team can align it precisely.
100% Magenta — Overprint💎 Spot UV
Define UV areas in a “Spot UV Layer” separate from your main artwork. Keep edges clean and sharp.
100% Cyan — Overprint🏅 Embossing
Emboss areas should be simple, bold shapes. Thin lines may not emboss well. Use a dedicated layer.
100% Yellow — OverprintUsing Dielines & Templates
Every box structure has a custom dieline — a blueprint showing all folds, cuts, and glue areas. Designing on the correct dieline is essential for your artwork to align correctly when the box is assembled.
We provide free dielines and packaging templates with every order. If you need a template before ordering, simply request a custom template from our design team — it’s completely free.
How to Use Dielines Correctly
- Open the dieline in Adobe Illustrator
- Place your artwork on a new layer above the dieline
- Never flatten or merge dieline layers with artwork layers
- Label each panel clearly: Front, Back, Top, Bottom, Flap
- Keep the dieline layer set to non-printing
White Ink & Transparent Backgrounds
When printing on kraft, clear, or metallic substrates, standard CMYK inks may appear muted. White ink provides a base layer that makes your colours pop on non-white materials.
Avoid transparency blending modes in areas with white ink — they don’t translate to the final printed product and can cause unexpected results.
White Ink Setup
- Define white-ink areas in a separate “White Ink” layer
- Set layer to 100% Black, Overprint Fill
- Label the layer clearly as “White Ink” or “White Base”
- Avoid transparency blending modes in white ink zones
- Confirm white ink requirement when placing your order
Proofing & Pre-Press Checklist
Before sending your file, run through this checklist. We’ll send you a digital proof (PDF) before printing begins — your final approval triggers production.
Naming & Submitting Your Files
Use clear, consistent file naming for quick identification by our pre-press team. Properly named files speed up processing and reduce back-and-forth emails.
Example: CustomBoxPoint_CoffeeBox_TuckEnd_100x100x150mm_2026-05.pdf
Order Upload
Upload directly via the link on your order confirmation page
Email (Under 20 MB)
Send to our artwork team at sales@customboxpoint.co.uk
Cloud Drive Link
Share via Dropbox, WeTransfer, or Google Drive for large files
Not Sure If Your Artwork Is Print-Ready?
Send us your file and our UK-based pre-press team will check it for free before production begins.
Get Artwork Checked Free Need a Designer? Please Contact Us