Why You Need This Glossary
Whether you’re a brand owner sourcing packaging from Taiwan for the first time, or a designer preparing files for a print supplier, packaging design comes with a specialized vocabulary that can be confusing. Misunderstanding a single term—like confusing “bleed” with “safe zone,” or not knowing that your supplier uses “die-cut” and “kiss-cut” for different operations—can result in delayed projects or costly reprints.
This glossary is compiled by Round Wide Creative (圓廣創意印刷), a packaging and printing specialist based in Taiwan, to help international clients and designers communicate clearly and confidently with their printing partners.
Structural & Pre-Press Terms
Die-Cut Line (刀模線)
The line along which the printed sheet is cut into the final box shape using a metal die (刀模, die mold). Everything outside the die-cut line is trimmed away. The die-cut line is always placed on a separate, non-printing layer in your artwork file.
Crease Line / Score Line (折線 / 壓線)
A line pressed into the paper to create a fold point without cutting through. Crease lines allow the flat printed sheet to be folded into a 3D box. They appear as dashed or dot-dash lines on the dieline template.
Dieline / Die Template (刀模圖 / 展開圖)
The flat, 2D template showing all cut lines, crease lines, and glue areas for a specific box structure. Designers place their artwork on the dieline to create the final print file. Always request the dieline from your supplier before starting design work.
Bleed (出血)
The area of your artwork that extends beyond the die-cut line—typically 3mm on all sides. Bleed accounts for minor cutting variations (±0.5–1mm tolerance) and prevents white paper edges from showing on the finished box. All background colors and images that touch the edge must extend into the bleed area.
Safe Zone / Safe Area (安全區)
The area 3–5mm inside the die-cut line where all critical content (text, logos, barcodes, certification marks) must be kept. Elements placed outside the safe zone risk being trimmed off during cutting.
Kiss-Cut (半切)
A cut that goes through the top layer of material but not all the way through, often used for easy-open perforations, labels on a backing sheet, or tear strips on packaging.
Paper & Material Terms
GSM — Grams per Square Meter (克重)
The weight of paper measured in grams per square meter. Higher GSM means thicker, heavier paper. Typical ranges for folding cartons:
- 250–300 gsm — Lightweight folding carton, suitable for small product boxes
- 350–400 gsm — Standard rigid carton, most common for retail packaging
- 450 gsm+ — Heavy-weight board, used for premium gift boxes
Coated Art Card / SBS Board (銅版卡)
Paper with a smooth clay coating on one or both sides. Provides excellent color reproduction and is the most common substrate for consumer product packaging. Available in glossy or matte surface finish.
Kraft Paper / Kraft Card (牛皮紙 / 牛皮卡)
Unbleached brown paper with a natural, earthy appearance. Widely used for eco-friendly, organic, or artisan brand positioning. Note: printing on kraft results in warmer, less saturated color tones due to the brown base.
Grey Board (灰板)
Thick, rigid grey paperboard (recycled content) often used as the inner layer of rigid boxes (set-up boxes), providing structure and weight. Not typically used as a printing substrate on its own.
Corrugated Board (瓦楞紙板)
Packaging board with a fluted inner layer sandwiched between flat liners. Used for shipping cartons and secondary packaging. Common flute sizes: E-flute (thin, suitable for retail display boxes), B-flute (medium), A-flute (thick, maximum cushioning).
Color & Printing Terms
CMYK (四色印刷)
The four-color process printing system used for commercial printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). All artwork files for printing must be in CMYK color mode—not RGB. Converting from RGB to CMYK at the last stage often results in unexpected color shifts, particularly in bright orange, green, or blue tones.
Pantone / PMS Color (潘通色 / 專色)
A standardized color matching system used to specify precise ink colors. When brand color accuracy is critical, specify the Pantone Matching System (PMS) number rather than a CMYK mix. Each additional Pantone color added to a print job incurs an additional plate cost.
Color Proof / Press Proof (打樣)
A printed sample produced before the full production run to verify color accuracy, layout, and finishing. Always approve a press proof before committing to mass production, especially for large orders or first-time print jobs.
Finishing & Post-Press Terms
Hot Stamping / Hot Foil Stamping (燙金 / 電化鋁)
A finishing technique that uses heat and pressure to apply metallic foil (gold, silver, or custom colors) to a specific area of the packaging. Creates a premium, reflective effect. Requires a separate metal die (stamping plate), which is a one-time tooling cost.
Spot UV / Spot Varnish (局部 UV 上光)
A high-gloss clear coating applied to a specific area of the printed surface. Creates a visual and tactile contrast between the glossy coated area and the surrounding matte surface. Often applied to logos, product names, or key graphic elements.
Embossing / Debossing (擊凸 / 壓凹)
Embossing raises a design element above the paper surface; debossing presses it below. Both techniques add a three-dimensional tactile quality to packaging, often used on logos or decorative patterns. Requires a tooling die.
Lamination / Film Laminate (覆膜)
A thin plastic film bonded to the printed surface for protection and aesthetics. Two main types:
- Gloss lamination — Bright, reflective finish that intensifies colors
- Matte lamination (Soft-Touch) — Smooth, non-reflective finish; gives a premium, understated look
Aqueous Coating / Flood Varnish (全面上光)
A water-based protective coating applied over the entire printed surface. Less glossy than lamination but adds protection against scuffing and moisture. More environmentally friendly than plastic lamination.
Box Structure Terms
Tuck-End Box (插底盒)
The most common folding carton style, with top and bottom panels that tuck into the box body. Variations include straight tuck (both ends tuck in the same direction) and reverse tuck (ends tuck in opposite directions).
Auto-Lock Bottom Box (自動鎖底盒)
A folding carton where the bottom automatically locks into place when the box is opened from its flat form. Provides stronger base support than a standard tuck-end bottom—ideal for heavier products.
Rigid Box / Set-Up Box (天地蓋 / 精裝盒)
A two-piece box with a separate lid and base, typically made with grey board wrapped in printed paper or fabric. Associated with premium and luxury products. Unlike folding cartons, rigid boxes are pre-assembled and cannot be shipped flat.
Drawer Box / Sliding Box (抽屜盒)
A box with an inner tray that slides in and out of an outer sleeve. Commonly used for jewelry, chocolates, and electronics accessories. Creates an engaging unboxing experience.
File Preparation Terms
Outline / Convert to Outlines (建立外框)
Converting text in a design file to vector shapes so that the specific font file is no longer required to render the text correctly. Always outline all text before submitting print files to avoid font substitution errors.
Embed (嵌入)
Placing a linked image directly inside the design file rather than referencing an external file. Always embed all linked images before submitting files to the printer.
PDF/X-1a
A PDF standard optimized for print production that ensures all fonts, images, and color profiles are correctly embedded. The preferred file format for most commercial printers alongside print-ready AI files.
Overprint (疊印)
When two layers of ink are printed on top of each other instead of the top layer “knocking out” the layer below. Unintended overprint settings can cause dark areas or color mixing in the final print. Always check overprint settings before submitting files.
Have a project in mind or need clarification on any of these terms? The team at Round Wide Creative is happy to help you navigate the technical details. Contact us via LINE @rtadv for a quick consultation or quotation request—we work with international clients and respond in both English and Chinese.
Structure Selection Comparison
The table below summarizes common structure types, ideal use cases, and MOQ reminders:
| Structure Type | Ideal For | MOQ Reminder |
|---|---|---|
| Folding Carton / Flat Bag | Mass retail, mainstream volume | 500 units+ |
| Rigid Box / Top-Bottom / Handle Bag | Premium brands, gift boxes | 100-300 units+ |
| Drawer Box / Custom Structure | Multi-SKU sets, subscription boxes | 300 units+, higher tooling cost |
| Cylinder / Paper Can / 3D Bag | Cream, fragrance, gift items | 200 units+, requires specialist |
Material & Surface Finishing Comparison
Material determines the structural strength, texture, and cost. The comparison below covers common options:
| Material Type | Ideal For | Cost Note |
|---|---|---|
| C2S Art Paper 280-350 gsm | Mid-to-premium mainstream | Stable supply, most cost-friendly |
| Fine Art / Imported Paper 200-280 gsm | Premium brands, limited editions | Color matching requires sample, longer lead time |
| FSC Certified / Recycled Paper | ESG sustainable brand positioning | Certification fee, 500 units+ |
| Special Finishing (Foil / Spot UV / Embossing) | Premium gift boxes, brand flagship | Sample required, stacking processes add cost |
When This Guide Doesn’t Fit Your Project
This guide covers most starter brands and flexible inventory scenarios, but the following are not the right fit — consider alternative suppliers or materials to avoid procurement delays or budget overruns:
- Single SKU annual volume stable above 50,000 units (direct mass production unit cost is lower; small-batch sourcing is not cost-effective)
- Long-term reorders with unchanged specs (no need to resample for evergreen products; the proposal flow is overkill)
- Pure glass / plastic bottles / metal canister sourcing (paper packaging factory MOQ doesn’t fit; find material-specific specialists)
- Pure accessory sourcing (cards, stickers, manuals, corrugated cartons) — use accessory-specific channels
- 45+ day cross-border ocean freight (paper is moisture-sensitive; consider metal / plastic containers or special treatment)
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