Pillow Box Dieline Guide
This generator draws a pillow box blank: a glued tube with a curved score at each end. Enter the length and the body height, and download the dieline free as PDF or SVG.
What is a pillow box?
A pillow box is a tube of board whose two ends are not cut square but scored on a curve. When you push the ends in, the board bows along those curved scores and the end flaps fold over each other, pinching the tube closed in the soft pointed shape that gives the box its name. The curve is what makes it work: a straight score would crumple, while the curved score guides the board into a smooth pillow.
Because the only glue is the side seam, pillow boxes are cheap to print and fast to assemble by hand, which is why they are the standard small gift box for favours, jewellery, cosmetics samples and sweets. They store flat and take seconds to fold when an order comes in.
Popular sizes
A is the length of the box and B is the height of the flat body, which wraps around the contents. Filled and closed, the box is about A long and a little under B wide at the middle.
| Size (A × B) | Typical use |
|---|
| 3.9 × 2.8 in (100 × 70 mm) | Rings, earrings and small jewellery |
| 5.9 × 3.9 in (150 × 100 mm) | Wedding favours, sweets and soaps |
| 7.1 × 4.7 in (180 × 120 mm) | Cosmetics, candles and small gifts |
| 8.7 × 5.9 in (220 × 150 mm) | Scarves, ties and soft accessories |
How to create your dieline
- Enter A, the length of the finished box from end to end, and B, the height of the flat body. A larger B makes a rounder, deeper pillow for the same length.
- Set the Inside size toggle on if you measured the space your product needs, so the generator adds the material thickness.
- Choose the material thickness. Pillow boxes fold best in flexible paperboard that scores without cracking.
- Adjust the glue flap if your printer prefers a wider seam, then click Refresh to redraw the dieline.
- Check the curved scores in the preview and the sheet size in Cutter Info, then Save as PDF or Save as SVG. Fold one sample and push the ends in to test the size before printing a batch.
Printing and material tips
The curved scores do the closing, so they must be creased properly: a shallow or skipped score makes the ends fold off centre and gap open. Score both curves before gluing the seam, and let the glued tube dry flat under a weight so the seam stays straight.
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. If the contents are heavy for the size, choose a thicker board, because a pillow box carries its load in the curved ends.
Frequently asked questions
How does a pillow box close without tape?
Each end is scored on a curve. Pushing the end in makes the board bow along the curve and the end flaps fold over each other, pinching the tube shut. The shape of the score holds it closed.
What do A and B mean on a pillow box?
A is the length of the finished box. B is the height of the flat body, which wraps around the product; the filled box ends up a little under B wide at its middle.
Is this pillow 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.
What is the glue flap for?
The pillow box is a tube. The glue flap is the strip along the top edge that glues to the opposite edge to form the tube. The ends then close with the curved scores, with no more glue needed.
What material works best?
Flexible paperboard around 250 to 350 g/sqm scores cleanly on the curves and still feels sturdy. Very thick or brittle board can crack on the curved scores, so test your stock on one sample first.
Related dielines
Gable Box · Sleeve Box · Tuck End Box · Cake Box Auto Bottom
