Creating professional packaging starts with properly prepared artwork. At Custom Boxes Peak, we want your final printed packaging to look exactly as intended. Following the guidelines below will help ensure your artwork is print-ready and reduce the chances of delays or unexpected printing results.

1. Use the Correct File Format

For the best printing results, please provide your artwork in a professional, editable format whenever possible.

Recommended formats:

• Adobe Illustrator (.AI)
• Adobe InDesign (.INDD)
• PDF (.PDF)
• EPS (.EPS)
• Adobe Photoshop (.PSD) for suitable artwork

Vector artwork is preferred for logos, text, illustrations, and other elements that need to remain sharp at different sizes.

2. Set Up the Correct Dimensions

Your artwork should be created according to the final box dimensions and approved dieline.

Before preparing your design, make sure you have the correct:

• Box dimensions
• Panel sizes
• Folding areas
• Glue areas
• Flap positions
• Die-cut lines

Always use the dieline supplied or approved by our team rather than creating your own structural template.

3. Add Bleed

Bleed allows artwork to extend beyond the final cutting area and helps prevent unwanted white edges after trimming.

We generally recommend 3mm bleed around the artwork unless a different bleed requirement has been provided for your specific packaging project.

Keep important text, logos, and other essential elements safely inside the trim area.

4. Keep Important Elements Inside the Safe Area

Important design elements should not be placed too close to cutting, folding, or creasing lines.

Keep:

• Logos
• Product names
• Text
• Barcodes
• Important graphics

inside the recommended safe area to prevent them from being trimmed or distorted during production.

5. Use CMYK for Printing

Packaging artwork is normally prepared using CMYK colour mode for standard process printing.

RGB colours displayed on monitors can look different when converted to print. Preparing your artwork in CMYK helps provide a more predictable printed result.

For specific brand colours, Pantone colours may also be used where applicable.

6. Check Your Pantone Colours

If your brand requires a specific colour, please provide the correct Pantone reference where possible.

Pantone colours can be especially useful for maintaining consistency across branded packaging. Please note that the final appearance can vary depending on the printing process, substrate, coating, and finishing.

7. Use High-Resolution Images

Images used in your packaging artwork should be high resolution to help maintain sharpness in the final print.

For raster images, 300 DPI at the final placed size is generally recommended.

Avoid using:

• Low-resolution screenshots
• Compressed web images
• Small images enlarged significantly
• Blurry logos or graphics

8. Convert Fonts to Outlines

Before sending your final artwork, convert fonts to outlines where appropriate. This helps prevent font substitution or missing-font problems when the artwork is opened on another system. Alternatively, provide the required font files if your production workflow requires editable text.

9. Check Black Text and Graphics

For small text and fine details, using an appropriate black colour setup can help maintain sharp printing. Large solid black areas may require a different ink configuration depending on the printing process and material. Our team can review the artwork and advise if any adjustments are needed.

10. Check White Artwork

If your packaging design contains white text or graphics, make sure they are correctly set up in the artwork. This is particularly important when printing on coloured, kraft, transparent, or specialty materials, where white ink may be required.

11. Review the Dieline Carefully

The dieline shows the structural areas of your packaging and may include:

• Cut lines
• Crease lines
• Fold lines
• Glue areas
• Bleed areas
• Safe zones

Do not accidentally move or alter structural lines when placing your artwork.

12. Keep Glue Areas Clear

Avoid placing important artwork, text, or logos in designated glue areas. Glue flaps need sufficient clear space for proper assembly. Your approved dieline will indicate where these areas are located.

13. Check Barcodes and QR Codes

If your packaging includes a barcode or QR code, make sure it is:

• High resolution
• Correctly sized
• Not distorted
• Printed with sufficient contrast
• Away from folds and cuts

Always test your final barcode or QR code before approving production.

14. Proofread Your Artwork

Before submitting artwork, carefully check all text and information.

Review:

• Product names
• Spelling
• Ingredients
• Contact information
• Website addresses
• Social media handles
• Legal information
• Barcode numbers
• Product specifications

Once artwork is approved for production, changes may require a revised proof or additional production time.

15. Submit a Print-Ready PDF

A high-quality PDF is commonly used for final artwork submission.

Before exporting your PDF, check that:

• Correct dimensions are used
• Bleed is included
• Images are high resolution
• Colours are correctly prepared
• Fonts are outlined or embedded
• Dieline information is correctly handled
• Unnecessary marks and hidden objects are removed

Artwork Approval Process

Our artwork process is designed to help ensure your packaging is ready before production begins.

Step 1 — Share Your Artwork

Send your existing artwork, logo, brand guidelines, or design requirements to our team.

Step 2 — Artwork Review

Our team reviews the artwork for dimensions, bleed, resolution, colours, dieline placement, and other print-related requirements.

Step 3 — Digital Proof

A digital proof or mockup can be provided so you can review how your packaging is expected to look.

Step 4 — Customer Approval

Review the proof carefully and confirm that the artwork, colours, text, dimensions, and overall design are correct.

Step 5 — Production

Once the artwork is approved, your packaging can move forward to production according to the agreed specifications.

Need Help Preparing Your Artwork?

Don’t have print-ready artwork? Custom Boxes Peak can provide design support to help prepare your packaging artwork for production. Simply share your logo, product details, preferred colours, box dimensions, and design ideas, and our team can help turn your concept into professional packaging artwork.