Software for Packaging
Nets: Flattened Structure • CONSIDER SIZE OF BOX – SIZE OF NET – SIZE OF PAPER TO PRINT ONTO – WHERE CAN YOU GET IT PRINTED? • On Illustrator you can shrink down the artboard later…
Making Guides • Make a new layer ’Guides’, make a box (M) the size of the document. • Object > Path > Split into Grid
Building the Net • New Layer: ‘Net’ • Hold Alt + M and click in the middle, makes a box right in the centre. Enter measurements. • Alt+drag the shape and it will copy the exact shape.
Flaps • Create shape same width of the box walls but height up to you (e.g. 70mmx25mm) • Direct selection tool (white arrow), select top corner, shift + select opposite corner. Taper edges in. • Alt + drag the flap shape to other sides. Don’t have more flaps than you need!
• Shift + select both flaps you want to flip. • Click-hold rotate tool and select reflect tool. • Alt + click on symmetry line. Flip Horizontal and copy.
Folds • Select all. Edit > Copy. • New Layer: ‘Folds’. Paste in Place. • Hide layer. Select Net layer. Window > Pathfinder. • Select all. • Unite shapes – should all become one outline.
• Select all, change opacity to make fold marks less obvious. • Stroke > Dashed lines (could make a key for folding/cutting instructions)
Double-sided Printing • Folds layer > select all > Object > Group (Cmd+G) • FLIPPING: Portrait for long edge, landscape for short edge. • UNLOCK ALL LAYERS • Artboard tool: Alt + drag to create a duplicate page.
• New layer: ‘Artwork’ • Place image (SAVE IN THE SAME PLACE AS DOCUMENT or EMBED) • Remove fill from net shapes, resize artwork.
CROP AND SCORE (alternative to folds) • New layer: ‘Crop and Score Marks’ • Use Pen tool to draw marks outside of artwork. • Requires folding BEFORE cutting.
OTHER TIPS • If you’re using a lid/matchbox you need it to be a bit bigger than the box. • Consider stock.