Cake Box Dieline Guide
This generator makes the classic handled cake box: a wide, low carton with carry handles, a slit-lock top and an auto bottom that pops open. Enter your cake size, and it draws the full dieline ready to export free as PDF and SVG.
What is a cake box with an auto bottom?
A cake box is a wide, shallow carton sized around the cake board. This design carries the cake in a practical way: two opposite panels extend into handle flaps with hand holes, so the finished box lifts like a carrier, and the other two panels end in flaps that lock over the top with a slit lock. No tape, ribbon or string is needed to keep it closed, and the handles keep the box level while it is carried, which protects the icing.
The base is a crash-lock, or auto, bottom. The bottom flaps are glued in advance, so the flat box pops into a locked, load-bearing base when pressed open, then folds flat again for storage. Bakeries like it because it assembles in seconds, carries safely, and presents the cake well when the top flaps open.
Popular sizes
Cake boxes are sold by the cake board they hold. Choose a box one size up from your cake, so the board slides in with room to spare.
| Size (W × D × H) | Typical use |
|---|
| 8 × 8 × 4 in (203 × 203 × 102 mm) | Cakes up to 7 in on an 8 in board |
| 9 × 9 × 4 in (229 × 229 × 102 mm) | 8 in cakes and pastry assortments |
| 10 × 10 × 5 in (254 × 254 × 127 mm) | 9 in cakes, the most popular bakery size |
| 12 × 12 × 6 in (305 × 305 × 152 mm) | 10 to 11 in celebration cakes |
| 14 × 14 × 6 in (356 × 356 × 152 mm) | 12 in cakes and tall decorated cakes |
How to create your dieline
- Enter the box size: A is the width, B is the depth and H is the height. Start from your cake board size, then add clearance around it, and enough height for icing, toppers and decorations.
- Set the Inside size toggle to match how you measured. On is usually right for cake boxes, because the inside space must fit the board, and the generator then adds the material thickness.
- Choose the material thickness for your board. A sturdy paperboard keeps the wide base flat under a heavy cake.
- Adjust the glue flap if your printer prefers a wider seam, then click Refresh to redraw the dieline.
- Zoom into the preview to check the handle flaps, hand holes and slit-lock flaps, confirm the sheet size in Cutter Info, then Save as PDF or Save as SVG.
Printing and material tips
Always size the box to the cake board, not the cake itself, and leave roughly 10 to 20 mm of total clearance so the board goes in without scraping the icing. If the cake carries tall toppers, add the extra height to H instead of forcing it into a standard box. A greaseproof sheet under the cake keeps the board clean.
In the exported file, red is the cut line, green dashed is a fold and blue dotted is a perforation. Print at 100 percent scale and fold a test box before a batch, then carry it with a board inside to check the handles and the base. The crash-lock bottom must be glued correctly by the printer, so confirm the glued flaps on your sample match the dieline.
Frequently asked questions
What size cake box do I need?
Match the box to the cake board: an 8 inch cake on a 10 inch board needs a box about 10 inches square. Add height for icing and decorations, and when in doubt go one size up.
Is this cake box dieline generator free?
Yes. It is free, with no signup and no download limit. Generate any size and export it as PDF or SVG.
How does the crash-lock auto bottom work?
The bottom flaps are glued to each other in advance, while the box is flat. When you press the box open, the flaps unfold into a locked base that carries the weight. After use, the box folds flat again for storage.
Are the carry handles strong enough for a cake?
The handles are cut into the two handle flaps and spread the load across the full panel width. Strength still depends on your board, so use a sturdy paperboard and test the finished box with a board and a similar weight inside before trusting it with a real cake.
Can the box be used for food?
The dieline is only the shape. For direct food contact, print on food grade board from your supplier, and use a greaseproof liner or cake board between the cake and the box, as bakeries normally do.
Can I use the dieline in my bakery business?
Yes. You can use dielines from this page for commercial production in your own bakery or for client work. Fold and carry a test box first to confirm the size and the base.
Related dielines
Auto Bottom Box · Paper Bag · Tuck End Box · Simple Tray
