Packaging and print glossary
Short definitions of the terms you meet when designing boxes and labels. Each entry opens with a one-paragraph definition, then goes into detail and links to the matching guide.
Cutting and structure
Bleed
Bleed is the extra band of color or image that extends beyond the cut line. Because cutting can shift slightly, a missing bleed can leave a thin white edge on the finished piece. The printer specifies the size of the bleed; there is no single universal value.
Crease (score)
A crease, also called a score, is a shallow groove pressed into board along a fold line. The board is not cut, only compressed, so it bends cleanly and predictably, with less cracking and waviness at the fold. On a dieline it is drawn as a fold line, separate from the cut line.
Dieline
A dieline is the flat, production-ready drawing of a package. Its cut, fold and glue lines show how a box or label will be cut and folded. The designer places artwork on top of these lines, and the printer builds the cutting die from the same outline.
Glue flap
A glue flap is the narrow strip left on the edge of a dieline so a folding carton can be closed. Glue is applied to the strip and the flap is bonded to the opposite panel. No graphics or text go on it; the strip is what turns flat board into a three-dimensional box.
Color and print
CMYK
CMYK stands for the four process inks used in printing: cyan, magenta, yellow and black (key). The inks are printed as tiny overlapping dots that mix into a wide range of colors. The result never matches screen color exactly. It is the standard color system for most printed packaging.
Pantone® / spot color
A spot color is printed with a single premixed ink instead of being built from the four process inks. Pantone® is the most widely used numbered catalog of such colors. Spot colors are chosen when a brand color must stay identical on every print run, or when a tone such as metallic cannot be reached with CMYK.
Surface and finishing
Emboss
Emboss raises a defined area of board with a die to form a raised shape on the surface. The opposite, pressing a shape inward, is called deboss. It gives a logo tactile depth and stays visible even without printing. It needs its own die, which adds cost.
Hot foil stamping
Hot foil stamping transfers a thin metallic or colored film onto board with heat and pressure. Gold, silver or pigmented film is applied to selected areas and creates a bright, light-catching accent. It is typically used on small areas such as a logo or brand name.
Lamination
Lamination bonds a thin plastic film onto the surface of printed board. It protects the print against scratches, moisture and abrasion, and gives the surface a gloss, matte or soft look. It is a finishing step applied after printing. The printer applies it, and film options vary by printer.
Soft touch
Soft touch is a special type of lamination with a soft, velvet or peach-skin feel. The surface looks matte and leaves a distinctly smooth texture in the hand. It is chosen for perfume, cosmetic and gift boxes to give a premium impression.
Spot UV
Spot UV is a glossy varnish applied only to selected areas of board and cured with ultraviolet light. On a matte background it makes areas such as a logo or pattern shine, creating contrast and a faint raised feel. The shape of the area needs separate preparation.
Material
Board weight (GSM)
Board weight is the mass of one square meter of board in grams, shown as GSM (grams per square meter). It hints at thickness and stiffness but does not decide either on its own; different boards with the same weight can differ in thickness and rigidity.
File preparation
Print-ready file
A print-ready file is one a printer can put straight onto press without further fixes. Cut, fold and glue lines are separate from the artwork, text is converted to outlines or embedded, images have enough resolution, and the color mode is what the printer asks for.
Vector vs raster
A vector file describes lines, curves and shapes with mathematical paths, while a raster file is made of a grid of pixels. Vector scales to any size without losing quality, whereas raster turns blurry as it is enlarged. Sharp elements such as dielines and logos are therefore prepared as vector.
Label
Wrap-around label
A wrap-around label is a single label that wraps all the way around the body of a bottle, jar or tube. Its two ends are overlapped and bonded, so the whole circumference is designed as one surface. This is what sets it apart from a front-and-back two-label layout.
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