Label Dieline Template Generator
Pick a common size or set your own width and height, then generate a vector PDF dieline template with bleed line, trim line and safe area. Open it straight in Illustrator, CorelDRAW or Photoshop and lay out your design with zero guesswork about where the die actually cuts.
Common sizes (click to select)
All inputs are in mm — e.g. 50×30mm ≈ 2″×1.2″.
The downloaded PDF is a vector file in mm units, editable directly in Illustrator or CorelDRAW. Guide labels inside the PDF are in English — the industry-standard convention for cross-software compatibility.
Live Preview
Preview is proportional only — actual dimensions follow the downloaded PDF.
What is bleed, and why do labels use 3mm?
Bleed is the part of the printed artwork that extends beyond the finished trim line. Label die-cutting is a mechanical process, and there's roughly ±0.5–1mm of registration error between the die and the printed image. If artwork only reaches the trim line, a slight shift during cutting will expose a white edge. A 3mm bleed fully covers that tolerance and is the most common industry-standard safety margin; small labels or tight-tolerance jobs can sometimes get away with 2mm.
What are the trim line and safe area?
The trim line (solid black) marks the finished size of the label — it's also where the die actually cuts. The safe area (dashed green) sits about 2mm inside the trim line as a buffer for text, QR codes and other important graphics. As long as your content stays inside the safe area, a minor cutting shift won't clip it or leave it looking cramped against the edge.
After downloading: three steps to lay out your design
Illustrator
Open the downloaded PDF template in AI, create a new "design" layer above the template layer, extend artwork out to the red bleed line, and keep text and other critical content inside the green safe area. Convert all text to outlines and export the PDF including bleed before submitting to your printer.
CorelDRAW
After importing the template PDF, check the document properties to confirm the page size and bleed match the template, then lock the template layer and design on a new layer above it. Convert text to curves, and on export choose "include bleed" and keep trim marks so the size lines up when your printer opens the file.
Photoshop
Create a new canvas using the template PDF's page size directly (bleed already included), set resolution to 300dpi and color mode to CMYK. Use guides to mark out the safe area while you design, then save as PDF or a high-resolution TIFF for your printer — avoid submitting in RGB or at low resolution.
Common mistakes
- Text or QR codes crowding the trim line: cutting always has some tolerance, and content that hugs the edge risks being clipped or looking cramped — keep it inside the green safe area.
- Using rich black (C+M+Y+K overprint) for black: four-color overprint needs tight registration, and even a slight misalignment shows up as fringing at the edges. Use single-color K100% for solid black text and lines on a label.
- Submitting artwork in RGB: print production runs on CMYK ink, and RGB files convert to duller, darker colors on press. Always convert to CMYK — or specify spot colors — before submitting.
- Ignoring bleed and designing to the exact finished size: artwork with no bleed exposes a white edge or the substrate color if the cut shifts even slightly. It's the single most common cause of reprints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bleed, and why do label templates use 3mm bleed?
Bleed is the part of the printed artwork that extends beyond the trim line, used to prevent white edges from showing up when die-cutting shifts slightly. Label die-cutting is a mechanical process with roughly ±0.5–1mm of tolerance, so a 3mm bleed fully covers that range and is the industry-standard safety margin.
How do I use the downloaded template in Illustrator?
Open the downloaded PDF template in AI, create a new layer above the template layer dedicated to your design, extend artwork out to the red bleed line, and keep text and other critical elements inside the green safe area. Finally, convert text to outlines and export the PDF including bleed before submitting to your printer.
How do I make a dieline for a label with rounded corners?
Set the corner radius directly in this tool (1–3mm is typical), and the black trim line will automatically draw a dieline path with those rounded corners. The downloaded PDF already has the rounded corners drawn in — you just need to make sure your artwork extends into the bleed area outside the rounded corner; there's no need to draw the corners yourself.