Nicolás Minahk has Claude build an editable sticker-box die line in Illustrator through an open-source MCP connector
A creative-systems consultant connects Claude to Illustrator, gets a 100 × 80 × 25 mm box with die line from his illustration, and lists what went wrong.
Done withCClaudeAIAdobe IllustratorIDillustrator-mcp-server (Design Bridge by IE3)
Creator's own article and video; self-promotional, sells his consulting; not yet printed
WHAT THEY DID
Nicolás Minahk installs the open-source illustrator-mcp-server in Claude Desktop, then gives Claude one of his illustrations and asks for a packaging box for stickers he plans to sell, without letting it take over his screen.
STEP BY STEP
- Install illustrator-mcp-server (.mcpb) in Claude Desktop, or add it to Claude Code with one command.
- First test: a red 50 × 50 mm square, which exposed the units problem.
- Real test: give Claude his illustration and a brief for a sticker box, and tell it not to use the screen.
- Claude plans and builds a reverse tuck end box with die line, scores, bleed and artwork through the MCP connection.
- He reviews the result in Illustrator and notes what to check before printing.
HOW IT WENT
By his account Claude built a reverse tuck end box, 100 × 80 × 25 mm, with die line, scores, bleed and artwork, in about 12 minutes including one minute waiting for his approval. It is an editable Illustrator file, not an image.
Reported results: Every part dimensioned in millimetres, as asked, and his illustration used unchanged, by his account. Not yet sent to print.
WORTH KNOWING
A dated, first-hand test of an AI agent doing print-production work inside Illustrator, with the failures he hit: it took over the screen, named the product without being asked and left one face blank. It is his own self-promotional tutorial (the page sells his consulting and 'Claude for teams'), the box has not been printed, and he did not check which Illustrator or Claude plan is needed.
TRY IT
- Tell the agent not to use your screen so it works only through the MCP connection.
- Add a line asking it to check any decision with you before it acts.
- Check every face, the die line and the bleed before sending the file to a printer.
Rates the entry, not the tool.
Source: Nicolás Minahk · nicolasminahk.comOpen as a page
- Work done: Oct 2026
- Source published: Oct 30, 2026
- On 4TC: added Nov 1, 2026 · checked Nov 1, 2026
About this source
Type: First-person workflow · Demonstrated workflow · Firsthand report
- How to connect Claude to Illustrator in 3 steps (MCP, step by step)
Nicolás Minahk · nicolasminahk.com · Published Oct 30, 2026 (Visible 'Published October 30, 2026'; matches page metadata.) · Checked Nov 1, 2026
Creator's own article on his own site. No sponsorship disclosed; the page promotes his consulting, 'Claude for teams' service and a free kit (self-promotional).
Access: open - Conecto Claude a Illustrator en 3 pasos
Nicolás Minahk · YouTube · Published Oct 30, 2026 (YouTube publishDate Oct 30, 2026.) · Checked Nov 1, 2026
Creator's own YouTube video of the same test (linked from the article).
Access: Spanish-language video - ie3jp/illustrator-mcp-server
ie3jp · GitHub · Published Sep 26, 2026 (Release v1.10.3 (the version he used) dated 26 Sep 2026.) · Checked Nov 1, 2026
The open-source connector used (independent of the creator).
Access: open
Source check: Reviewed by a 4TC editor on Nov 1, 2026. Claims, quotes and dates re-checked against the sources by Ella on 1 Nov 2026. Nobody at 4TC has tested this.
Claims and where they come from
- He gave Claude one of his illustrations and asked: 'I need a packaging box for some stickers I'm going to sell, based on this illustration.' (reported) [1]
- Claude's plan was 'a reverse tuck end box measuring 100 × 80 × 25 mm, with die line, scores, bleed and the artwork following the illustration.' (reported) [1]
- 'It took about 12 minutes, including one minute it spent waiting for my approval.' (reported) [1]
- 'It's an editable file, built in Illustrator, not an image.' He adds that 'It used my illustration as is, without changing it.' (reported) [1]
- 'You'd have to send it to print to see what the printer says, but as a technical base it's very good.' (reported) [1]
- In his first test Claude took control of the screen to switch units, because 'the connector can't create the document directly in millimeters.' (reported) [1]
- 'It made decisions nobody asked for. It put the brand name “Mala Leche” on the box'. (reported) [1]
- 'One face of the box came out blank. It may be an inside face, but it's worth checking before printing.' (reported) [1]
- The connector is 'an open source project under the MIT license' and appears in Claude as Design Bridge by IE3. 4TC confirmed the MIT licence on GitHub on 1 Nov 2026. (checked by 4TC) [1][3]
4TC interpretation
Our reading, not something the source says.
Packaging and print requests need exact units, die lines and editable files, which image generators cannot give. This shows an agent producing that technical base in Illustrator, and why the designer still checks it.
Designer impact
Established [1]
A broad prompt lets the agent make unrequested design decisions (it named the product).
- Add: 'Before executing, ask me about any doubt or decision you want to make'.
- Keep the prompt specific about brand text and copy.
Established [1]
Agent-built print files can have gaps (one blank face) and are untested at the printer.
- Proof every face and the die line before print.
- Ask the printer to check the file.
Established [1]
Third-party MCP connectors get access to your computer, and Claude Desktop warns the developer information is not verified by Anthropic.
- Check the repository's developer, activity and licence before installing.
Established = documented by primary sources or the company’s own statements. Disputed = contested with evidence on both sides. Alleged = reported, not established.
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