Cardboard cases: bleeds, text orientation, files

1. Bleeds and quiet area on a case

A case is a piece of cardboard unfolded and then folded according to a complex pattern: front/rear faces, two sides, bottom, closure tab, sometimes upper and lower flaps. On the flat file, all these areas touch through fold lines.

The simple rule: put 3 mm of bleeds at least on the entire perimeter of the unfolded. And keep a quiet area of 3 mm inside on each side for texts, pictograms and logos.

Simplest solution: a single background over the entire surface

The most robust configuration is to have a identical bottom over the entire surface of the case (same color, same continuous pattern, same photo that covers the whole) With this choice, the bottom naturally extends into the bleeds of each flap, and there is no risk of visible overflow if the fold or cut moves by one millimetre.

This is our default recommendation for most projects, especially first orders or prototypes.

Advanced case: different bottom depending on the sides

If your design requires a different background depending on the sides (for example, red front, black rear, golden slices), you should share bleeds on folds The bottom changes exactly on the fold, and each color overflows by 3 mm in the lost area on the other side. Specifically, on the 3 mm that touch the fold, one has 1.5 mm of each color in crossover.

This precaution avoids two problems:

• If the fold moves slightly towards the red face, black is seen to pass on the red face.
• If the fold moves slightly towards the black face, red is seen to pass on the black face.

With the shared funds, in both cases, we stay on the color on the side concerned.

2. Text, logos and pictograms

A recurring question: in what sense the texts are directed to the sides of a case ? There is no absolute rule, choice depends on the use and context of the layout or presentation.

Most frequent configurations

• Linear standing case (classical beaming) The texts on the right side usually read from bottom to top, those on the left side from top to bottom. This is the convention of books in library.
• Case lying in display : the texts of both lengths read in the same direction, usually aligned with the front face.
• Case in a box or box : adapt the orientation to the grip, knowing that the customer first sees the upper face when opening the box.
• Case without beaming constraints (business gift, internal kit) : free aesthetic choice. We always indicate the most frequent configuration on the template, to be adapted according to your project.

Coherence on 6 sides

Beyond the text orientation, check the consistency of direction between the 6 sides The case (front, rear, two sides, top, bottom) is turned by a buyer who takes the case in his hand in all directions: if one side is facing backwards, it is immediately visible. The template we give precise for each side the conventional sense of the folding.

3. Most common case formats

The cardboard cases we manufacture cover a wide range of formats.

For each format, we provide an exact unfolding template with the folds indicated (dotted) and the cuts (full strokes). All angles, tabs and flaps are set to the selected material. See also the box form to compare with lid boxes (shrimp + lid).

4. Files to be provided

For a case, provide two versions of the final file :

1. A version with visible cutting and folding lines (magenta cutting lines, cyan dotted folds, by convention).
2. A version without the tracks, where only the final colors and visuals appear. This version will be used in production.

This dual version allows our studio to visually validate (on the version with tracks) that everything is correctly placed, then send in production the own file (without tracks). etui_projet_avec-traces.pdf And etui_projet_sans-traces.pdf.

5. Common finishings on B2B cases

The case being the first thing the user of the game touches, it is a privileged support for premium finishes. The most requested options in B2B:

• Matte lamination : Standard B2B, makes the case resistant to friction and fat of the hands.
• Soft-touch lamination : skin fishing sensation, immediate luxury perception at hand.
• Selective varnish on logo or title : spot-gloss effect on matt background, tactile signature.
• Hot dormur (gold, silver, copper) : for the logo, title or decorative detail on the front.
• Embossing / debossing : relief in hollow/relief on the logo or a central pattern.

All these options are detailed in our glossary of printing finishes. For a premium B2B project combining several finishes (soft-touch + varnish + gilding), request a quote 48h With your briefing.

6. Checklist before sending the case file

• Work on the template provided with folds and cut-downs
• 3 mm bleeds on all around the unfolded
• If different bottom by side: Bleeds shared on folds
• Quiet area 3 mm respected on each side (sides and folds)
• Texts checked on 6 sides
• Two versions of the file: with and without cutting tracks
• CMYK Coated Fogra 39, 300 dpi mode, vectorized fonts
• Finishes specified in the brief if selective varnish, gilding, embossing

For an overview of the technical rules before diving into detail, see our general information sheet. For larger boxes (lid box, box box), consult the dedicated box form.

French manufacturing process B2B

Understanding the downstream process illuminates file preparation choices. Here are the main manufacturing steps in order:

1. Receiving and checking the file (24 to 48 hours). Our studio checks: CMYK mode, resolution, bleeds, vectored fonts, quiet area, text meaning per face. If not compliant, return with detailed report for correction.
2. BAT validation (Good to shoot, 24h). We send a PDF or physical BAT according to your choice. Explicit validation mandatory before launch.
3. Pressing and printing (3-7 days)Offset for medium and large series, digital for small quantities and prototypes. Plant inks on all our B2B supports.
4. Finishes (1 to 5 days depending on options). Film coating, selective varnish, hot gilding, embossing, polishing of the songs: check our glossary of finishes.
5. Cut, fold, back-up, assembly (2-5 days). On our industrial lines or in ESAT workshop for manual operations with high added value.
6. Quality control and packaging (1 to 2 days). EN71 compliance test on games intended for a family or child audience, visual inspection of the whole lot.
7. Shipping (24 to 72 hours)Delivery France metropolitan via partner carrier. Possibility of logistics storage at our home for orders spread over time.

Average total time: 3 to 5 weeks depending on complexity, finishes and quantity. For urgent orders (seminars, trade shows), we offer an express mode on certain formats: request a quote.

Regulatory compliance and certification

Board games intended for the general public or children must meet several standards:

• EN71-1, EN71-2, EN71-3 European standard on the safety of toys (mechanical resistance, flammability, chemical migration). Our cards, cases, boxes and trays for children or families are systematically tested. See our page on safety standards toy.
• CE : compulsory marking for sale in the European Union. Cover EN71 and other directives.
• REACH European Chemicals Regulation. Our inks and film-coated products are REACH compliant.
• PEFC / FSC : certifications for sustainable forest management. We work with certified papers on request.
• ESAT (Establishment and Labour Support Service) : our partner workshop in Brittany is a ESAT, which allows the client companies to count their orders under the obligation to employ disabled workers (Law of 11 February 2005).

In your brief, specify the expected certifications: we adapt the materials and processes accordingly.