Proofs and dielines

Every order gets one complimentary digital proof and a dieline. The quote and dieline usually come back within one business day of a complete brief, and the digital proof within one business day of your artwork. Nothing is printed until you approve the proof in writing.

How it works, step by step

1. Send a brief. Size, quantity, style and the print you want, in plain words. A photo of the product beside a ruler is fine if you have not measured it.
2. Get the quote and dieline. Usually within one business day of a complete brief. The dieline is the flat, full-size drawing of your box with cut, crease, bleed and safe area marked.
3. Place your artwork. Put your design on the dieline yourself, or send us the files and we place them. Design help is free.
4. Get your digital proof. Usually within one business day of your artwork. It shows your artwork on the dieline, panel by panel.
5. Approve in writing. Production starts the next business day, and the lead time on the product page runs from there.

What we check on the proof

We check that text and logos sit inside the safe area, that edge color runs to the bleed, that the glue flap is left clear, and that fine type does not cross a crease. On digital print we tell you if a brand color sits outside the CMYK range and will print slightly duller. If a claim on the box reads like a drug or health claim, we flag it. The wording on the box stays yours to decide.

Physical prototypes

A physical prototype is available on request, and its timing is confirmed in the quote. It is the way to check the fit of a fitted insert or a new size before the run. It adds to the schedule, so ask for it when the fit is genuinely uncertain.

Questions people ask

To check a dieline yourself before you approve, read what a dieline is and how to check yours.