Dieline is a term used in print graphic designing as an example of a pre-formatted, pre-designed background used in screen printing. A dieline is typically used in architectural design as a filler for helping in the correct design of a blueprint which will then be recast as part of the final printing process. More commonly, it is placed directly into the graphics file of the software as a separate layer, primarily for orientation and sizing purposes. As the name would imply, the purpose of a box dieline in printing is to act as the side border of a graphic.
The purpose of using a dieline in your print graphic design process is not only to provide the necessary background information for a properly sized illustration, but also to serve as the “cut” of the finished product. Using a dieline as a reference point can help you achieve a proper layout of your product, while using similar colored and formatted elements, such as lettering or logos. Furthermore, the use of dieline in a packaging industry can provide customers with a visual aid of how much a particular product, like a box, will cost.
Dieline is defined as a flat, wavy-edged strip of paper that is printed in black and white. Because it is printed in black and white, it has no color but instead presents a crisp, clear image that can be folded or flattened. For example, one might expect to find a large, detailed photo of a bouquet of flowers in a fancy red ribbon presentation. In actuality, the photo, as delivered on a large, glossy banner, would most likely be printed in standard black and white. The purpose of printing on a dieline, however, is to provide packaging or display manufacturers with a pre-designed presentation that can be duplicated on card stock or other material without loss of clarity or detail.
In many instances, a wrapping company will utilize a standard-sized sheet of dieline. However, other times, a printing company may print on a larger, more expensive sheet of dieline so that the required size for their items can be created. When doing so, the printing company must choose the right color and font style, which often cause different colors and styles to blend together. The final result can be quite stunning, especially when designed by an artist or graphic designer.
Flat Dieline. A flat dieline can be compared to a preview of what the final product will look like, printed on a standard sheet of paper. This preview is placed upon the fabric and is pulled apart and laid flat to reveal the product, which could be several different colours or a solid colour. Flat dieline is used most often when the printing needs are small and precise.
Folded Dieline. Folded define (sometimes called “twelve-sided” dieline) is a six-sided die cut out of heavy card stock that is folded in half to reveal twelve individual sheets of large paper. These are each placed onto a fabric that is sewn together to make a large panel. Most printers that produce this type of printing use standard bond paper as the base to which the fabric is then rolled up. This type of swatch is very popular with scrapbookers because it allows the scrapbooker to have a free hand when creating the design or layout for the finished product.
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