Freedom251 › Packaging Design Software
Print CAD
What Print CAD is
Print CAD is web-based packaging CAD software for structural design of folded packaging, including corrugated boxes, folding cartons, flexible packaging, and labels. Designers can create parametric structures with constraints, dimensions, variables, and expressions. Existing dielines can be imported from sources including ArtiosCAD, Engview Systems, and Packdora. A resolver and sandbox allow testing of variables, dimensions, formulas, flute calculations, bleed, masks, and glue areas. The software generates a 3D model from a dieline with folding and unfolding animations, and exports spot-color PDF files for cutting samples and print-ready checks. Variables and parameters can be published through PrintNow Unified Admin so customers adjust them online. Dynamic calculators handle standard or custom sizes, materials, and options, with instant dieline downloads. Integrations include ArtiosCAD and Engview imports, plus enterprise APIs for Esko Automation Engine, Enfocus Switch, and HP Siteflow. Starter costs $495 a month; Growth costs $995 a month. Enterprise pricing is custom. A 14-day Growth trial is available after approval.
Who it suits
It suits print providers, including digital, wide-format, and packaging businesses, designing and pricing folded packaging. Teams needing dieline editing, parametric testing, and production-oriented PDF output may find it suitable.
What it does well
- Parametric tools support packaging constraints and variables
- Imports dielines from named CAD sources
- Provides 3D folding and unfolding previews
- Exports spot-color PDFs for production checks
- Supports online calculators and customer adjustments
What to know first
- No free plan
- Starter lists Print CAD Designer as not included
- Growth costs $995 a month
- Enterprise pricing is custom
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Quarterly or yearly billing options are available; the page shows “Save 10% · $552/yr savings.” · 1 B2C site domain · 10 B2B site domains · 5 staff admins · 250 GB storage · Print CAD Designer: not listed as included | $495 a month |
| Growth | Quarterly or yearly billing options are available; the page shows “Save 20% · $2,352/yr savings.” · 2 B2C site domains · 20 B2B site domains · 10 staff admins · 500 GB storage · Print CAD Designer: Contact Us | $995 a month |
| Enterprise | Custom · Custom domain counts · Custom staff admins · Custom storage · Print CAD Designer: Contact Us | On request |
As printnow.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Print CAD combines structural packaging design, dieline testing, 3D previews, and production output in a web platform. Its paid plans and plan-specific Print CAD Designer availability should be reviewed before requesting a trial.
Facts from Print CAD's own pages
- 3D preview
- Print CAD generates a 3D packaging model from an existing dieline and supports folding and unfolding animations. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Dieline import
- The product page says users can import dielines and identifies ArtiosCAD, Engview Systems, and Packdora as sources for designs or templates. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The pricing page states that data is encrypted at rest with AES-256 and in transit with TLS 1.2 and 1.3. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2003 · printnow.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States · printnow.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Hosting and security
- PrintNow says its hosted platform runs on Microsoft Azure and provides SSL/TLS, DDoS and bot protection, and vulnerability scanning; its security page states it maintains PCI DSS Level 2 compliance. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The pricing page lists imports from ArtiosCAD and Engview, and enterprise API integrations with systems including Esko Automation Engine, Enfocus Switch, and HP Siteflow. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Intended customers
- PrintNow describes its platform as serving print providers, including digital, wide-format, and packaging businesses. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Parametric design
- Designers can add constraints, dimensions, variables, and expressions to create parametric packaging structures. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Pricing workflow
- PrintNow’s dynamic calculators support standard and custom sizes, configurable materials and options, and instant dieline downloads. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Production output
- Print CAD can export spot-color PDF files for cutting samples and print-ready production checks. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Publishing
- Variables and parameters from Print CAD can be configured in PrintNow Unified Admin and published for customers to adjust online. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Print CAD is packaging CAD software for structural design of folded packaging, including corrugated boxes, folding cartons, flexible packaging, and labels. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The pricing page lists support response targets of 8 hours for Starter, 1–8 hours for Growth, and 15 minutes–4 hours for Enterprise. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Testing
- Its resolver and sandbox let users test variables, sizes, formulas, flute calculations, bleed, masks, and glue areas. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Trial
- PrintNow states that an approved request starts a 14-day Growth trial without a credit card; Enterprise trials require contacting Sales. · printnow.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where Print CAD stands on Freedom251
- Packaging Design Software#20 of 27