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What is a Bleed?
A bleed is a printing term that refers to the design "bleeding" off the edge. This is because print jobs are cut in big stacks, and this ensures that there is not a sliver of white on the edge of the printed piece.
Setting Up for Success
Why You Need a Bleed
What is Bleed?
A Bleed is the extra image or background color that extends beyond the trim edge of your document. It ensures there’s no white border after trimming.
Why It Matters:
We cut print jobs in big stacks with a machine. Its impossible to have hundreds of sheets lined up perfectly. Without a bleed, even a tiny shift during trimming can leave unwanted white edges. Bleed prevents this.
Standard Bleed Size:
An 1/8 inch (0.125") bleed on all sides. For example a 4" x 6" file should be 4.25" x 6.25"
This is an extension of the solid color or image in the design itself and will be cut off.
How to Add Bleed (General Steps):
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When creating your document, add .25" to the final size, this will be your working document.
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Design within the entire space of the document.
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Be sure to keep type and critical design elements .25" in from the edge. (this is called the "safety zone").
Before Exporting:
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Double-check your artwork reaches the edge of the bleed area.
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Export as a Press Quality PDF, ensuring your file is 300DPI and CMYK as well
No bleed = risk of white edges.
Adding bleed = professional, clean results.
Setting Up Files in Adobe
How to setup:
After setting up:
Click to Download:
When NOT to use a Bleed
IF your design has a white background, no bleed is needed!
This is because the files are right next to each other on the sheet so there can be a clean cut.
Crop Marks & File Prep
NEVER put crop marks on your files.
We put them on after we set up the files on the sheet.
Remember - we never print one at a time, we group them on a sheet, then put crop marks on them.