Free tool · by Dharaksha
Sleeve box template: free box sleeve dieline generator
Make a packaging sleeve that slides over a tray, a box or a product. Enter the opening size and sleeve length, add finger notches if you like, and download a true-scale PDF, SVG or DXF.
Sleeve box template
What is a sleeve box?
A sleeve is a four-sided band of board with a glue flap, open at both ends. It slides over a tray to make a drawer box, wraps around a plain box to carry the branding, or holds a set of products together. A short sleeve is often called a belly band.
Sleeves are a simple way to change the look of packaging without changing the box inside. You can print a seasonal or limited-edition sleeve and keep the same tray. This page opens with a sleeve sized to fit the tray box template example.
How the sleeve dieline is sized
For a sleeve you enter three numbers: the opening width, the sleeve length and the opening height. Each panel is the opening size plus one board thickness, and the length is used as entered. The glue flap is about 35% of the smaller panel, between 8 and 20 mm. Optional half-moon finger notches on the front edges make it easy to push a tray out.
To fit a sleeve over a tray, use the tray’s outside length as the opening width and its outside height as the opening height, then add 1 to 2 mm for clearance. The example here, an opening of 204 × 52 mm, fits the 200 × 150 × 50 mm E-flute tray.
Good uses for a sleeve
Drawer boxes for chocolates, sweets, tea and stationery, belly bands for apparel and soap, branded wraps for plain mailer boxes and multipacks, and seasonal editions of existing packs. Pair a sleeve with a moulded mycelium tray for a fully plastic-free gift pack.
Artwork tips
The front and back panels carry the main design, and the narrow sides are a good place for the brand name or the variant. The finger notches are cut into the front and back edges, so keep text clear of them. The glue flap is hidden inside the sleeve.
Example sizes to start from
Pick a size to load it into the generator above, then change it to fit your product. These are starting points, not standards.
| Example | Opening width × length × opening height | Board | Generator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeve for the example tray | 204 × 150 × 52 mm | 0.5 mm | Open this size |
| Chocolate drawer sleeve | 182 × 120 × 32 mm | 0.5 mm | Open this size |
| Soap belly band | 97 × 60 × 37 mm | 0.5 mm | Open this size |
| Mailer box wrap | 258 × 120 × 85 mm | 0.5 mm | Open this size |
Need a different style? Go back to the box dieline generator to switch between all six, or open another template below.
FAQ
Sleeve box template: questions, answered
How do I size a sleeve for a tray?
Use the tray’s outside length as the opening width and its outside height as the opening height, add 1 to 2 mm of clearance, and set the sleeve length to the tray width or less.
What are the notches on a sleeve for?
The half-moon finger notches let you push the tray out of the sleeve easily. You can switch them off.
Can I make a belly band with this template?
Yes. A belly band is a short sleeve. Enter the opening size of the product or box and a short length, such as 40 to 80 mm.
Does the sleeve need glue?
Yes. The glue flap on the last panel is glued to the inside of the first panel to close the band. It is tinted yellow on the dieline.
Which board is best for a sleeve?
Folding carton board of 300 to 400 gsm is the usual choice. It prints well and is stiff enough to hold its shape over a tray.
Ready to move your packaging off plastic?
Send us your dieline spec and we will quote a mycelium insert or moulded pack to match, with samples to test on your own line.