What is a dieline?

A dieline is a diagram with premade markings, showing where the item’s fold and cut lines are located. Our premade dieline templates is the first step in ensuring the layout is correct before production begins. Check out our helpful dieline templates for a variety of pocket folders and more. Available to download as PDF files.

Instructions for using our premade dieline files

After downloading the premade dieline, ensure your document size is the total size of the pocket folder with tabs, pockets and panels open.

Place the EPS or PDF file as you would any graphic. Once you’ve placed the die, you can visually position the dieline by aligning the corner edges of the dieline to the corners of your document. Keep in mind that the pocket flap tabs are included in the total document size. If there is a tab on the left side, use the outer edge of the tab for the left side placement.

Design elements that print to the edge of the pocket folder should extend (bleed) beyond the dieline trim edges by 1/8-inch. There should be no printing onto the tabs beyond this 1/8-inch bleed. Elements should not bleed from the outside front and back panels onto the pockets flaps.

Text and images printing on pocket flaps will print on the outside of the pocketfolder and should appear “upside down”, so that when the flaps fold into the inside they will be right-reading. Keep in mind that the pockets fold up into the inside of the pocketfolder and will cover up the area underneath.

All available premade dielines CANNOT be altered in size or shape. Business card and CD slits in the files cannot be adjusted, but may be removed.

Business card slits are optional on the 9″ x 12″ Standard Pocket Folders and can be used on one or both pockets using any combination of available, standard positions. Business card slits can be either diagonal or halfmoons, single or double. Diagonal slits can be a set of four or a set of two – on opposite corners. Slits are centered in the 4″ pockets and cannot be moved off center (alterations would be considered a custom dieline).

Note: All dieline templates represent actual working dies that have been proven to work in production. However, we strongly recommend that you make a dummy of your project using the template to make cuts and folds. This process often reveals changes that need to be made either to the design or to the dieline. If changes to the dieline will be required, the project will need a “custom” die. Custom dies are an additional cost but be assured that the staff at Laurel Valley Graphics will review any changes or custom requirements to make the project work perfectly from start to finish.

Please feel free to contact a Laurel Valley Graphics prepress representative with any questions at 724-539-4545 or e-mail [email protected].