Printable

Packaging cheat sheet

Every rule in the course and the numbers worth memorising. Print it or save it as a PDF.

Cheat sheet

Packaging Design on one page

Bad Design Academy by Bad Design
baddesign.io/academy/

~3 mmStandard bleed (confirm with printer)

3 to 5 mmSafe zone inside the trim

300 ppiImage resolution for print

31.35 x 22.85 mmEAN-13 at 100% incl. quiet zones

80 to 200%EAN-13 magnification range

12 Aug 2026EU PPWR applies

50%Max empty space (EU, from 2030)

2035Recyclable at scale (EU)

CMYK + spotPrint color setup

1 to 2Hero claims on the front

Shelf blink test: Your pack gets a glance, not a study, so brand and product must read instantly.
Pack hierarchy: Order front-of-pack information so shoppers find brand, product and variant in that order.
Brand block: Consistent design across a range creates a recognisable block on shelf.
Front-of-pack clarity: Lead with the few messages that drive the purchase.

Dieline anatomy: A dieline maps cuts, folds and glue areas; artwork must follow it exactly.
Box styles: Pick the structure (tuck end, mailer, sleeve, rigid) based on product, cost and experience.
Unboxing experience: Design the opening sequence as a moment, not an afterthought.
Right-sizing: Fit the pack to the product to cut material, void fill and freight, and meet upcoming EU limits.

Bleed and safe zone: Extend backgrounds about 3 mm past the cut, and keep text and logos inside a safe margin.
Spot colors: Use pre-mixed spot inks when brand color must be exact or is outside CMYK.
Finishes: Foil, embossing and spot UV add premium touch when used to highlight key elements.
Proofing: Check files and proofs before the run, because reprints are expensive.

Barcodes: Barcodes need correct size, quiet zones, contrast and a flat placement to scan.
Recycling labels: Sorting labels help people recycle correctly; EU rules for them are being harmonised.
Mandatory information: Legal information has required content and placement that varies by country and category.
Legibility on pack: Small text needs high contrast, a generous x-height and a plain background.

Mono-material design: Use one material family so packs fit existing recycling streams.
Variant system: Keep the layout fixed and change one strong cue (like color) per variant.
Honest claims: Make sustainability claims specific, verifiable and proportionate.
E-commerce packaging: Packs shipped direct must survive transit and still create a good first impression.