So I've been asked to create artwork for a cardboard display that will be on the counter tops of gas stations, like when you pay the cashier there are those little cardboard displays with cellphone accessories, cigs, tobacco, etc...

Well I need to create the box itself in a flat layer so it can be cut out at the cardboard place. So my goal is to create the entire cardboard display including all sides, folds, and the cardboard pieces that you push into a hole and it stays in.

How do I go about making the outline/path in Illustrator??? :-(

Here is what I want to do:
<http://www.barrowgeek.com/file001.jpg>

and within the template/lines the artwork will be in there. but it all needs to be one huge piece. A pain in the butt for sure.

Thanks all.

I have worked with packaging artwork like this before and have found that the printers we work with have artwork already created for many die shapes like you are asking about. That would be a great place to start. I have found that it is often more complex than the visible sides.

Hey Joshua, yes, well, I think that's where our problem is. I've requested ANY templates that may be out there, and the person who operates the business in the USA does not have any (for whatever reason). The artwork is then sent to China, and printed/cut over there. It's VERY difficult to work with folks over there.

Never done anything like this... but here's a suggestion...

1. Physically fabricate the display first... you could use paper or cardboard. That'll give you an idea of where you need extra materiel for the folds/flaps/etc.

2. Rationalise the trims of the flaps, etc. Meaning, round the corners, angle the tabs, etc...

3. Either manually draw it in Illustrator using the absolute measurements you've got

OR

Scan it in and use the scan as a template to draw the box

3. (Check, but i think) you need to have the 'die' shape in dotted lines

Hopefully, someone here will come out with an easier solution...

JJ

We do this all the time and Jay is correct; if you cannot get a template, you ABSOLUTELY need to make a mock-up before you start designing. And make it out of material as close to the final product as possible.

The mock-up should include something of approximately the same weight as what will ultimately be displayed fastened to it to make certain your tabs/hold-ups are strong enough to take the strain. Not so important if the displayed items are small and light, much more important if they are heavy. You don't want them constantly falling down once they are distributed.

If you have a friendly gas station or party store nearby, ask them for any old, discontinued displays they might have. Carefully pull them apart to see how they were put together.

Check out this site. It may not have exactly what you want, but it should give you some idea on how such things are laid-out and assembled:

<http://yourpackagingsource.com/pages/point_of_purchase_displays/7618_point_of_purchase_displays.html>