A die-cut line serves as a packaging template that ensures a proper layout for a printed item. This is a diagram that shows all the cut lines and folds of a package in flattened form. They are also used for envelopes, pocket folders and more. There are a few steps to creating proper and exact die lines for products like boxes.
Sometimes a customer can send a sample of the packaging to the print shop. The company then dismantled the sent package to locate the designs and folds and take measurements. When there is a product, but no packaging, measurements are instead taken for the actual item with wrapped paper added to estimate the size.
From there, the cutting lines are then created in Adobe Illustrator with certain design guidelines. You can then use a hard copy of the die line you create to test with the product you are packaging. Once you’re right, paper prototypes are made with heavy paper or different materials. After careful checking of the prototypes for strength and other items, the finished packaging product will be ready to hit the racks.