Bleed

WHAT IS "BLEED" IN PRINTING?

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER BLEED

“Bleed” is a printing term used to indicate the area with a background image that will be trimmed off after the job is printed and cut down to the finished size.

Since the bleed area will be trimmed off during the cutting process, there should be no text or other important information in the bleed area. Add a quarter of an inch (.25″) to each dimension to allow for cutting. For example, a 4″ X 6″ postcard or flyer with a full bleed, the image size should be submitted at 4.25″ by 6.25″.

Please review these examples to ensure that you submit your files the correct way and you get the best quality possible.

BLEED VS. NO BLEED

The illustration on the left shows a page printed with bleed, before trimming. When trimmed, the finished piece will have color or graphic content extending to the finished, cut edge on all four sides.The illustration on the right shows a page designed without any bleed. When trimmed, the finished piece will have an unprinted border on all four sides.

WHAT IS THE TRIM EDGE?

A sheet with bleed is larger than its finished size. The “trim edge” refers to each edge of the sheet after it has been cut to its finished size. Any printed elements that extend beyond the trim edge will be cut off in the process of reducing the paper to its finished size.

WHAT IS THE SAFETY ZONE?

To avoid being trimmed off, text and other important matter must stay within a “safety zone” that is is a minimum of .125″ (3mm) away from the trim edge. Any design elements that extend beyond the safety zone risk being cut off in the process of trimming the paper to its finished size. For example, the safety zone for an 8.5″ x 11″ letterhead would be .125″ smaller on each side, or 8.25″ x 10.75″.

BLEED BEFORE AND AFTER TRIMMING

The illustration on the left shows a document designed with bleed (finished size plus an extra .125″ (3mm) on each side). Because minor variations can occur when cutting the paper to its finished size, to avoid being trimmed off, text and other important matter must stay .125″ (3mm) away from the trim edge (the “safety zone”).

The illustration on the right shows the printed piece after trimming. Note the last “e” in “Example” has been cut in half because it extended past the safety zone and into the trimming area. Some of the artwork has been cut off for the same reason. Any elements that extend past the safety zone risk being lost in the process of trimming the paper to its finished size.

HOW DO I CREATE BLEED IN MY DESIGN?

To create bleed in your design, simply make sure the background color, graphic, or image you want it to bleed extends off the the final trim edge of the page by .125″ (3mm).

If you are creating your file in an application such as Photoshop, you must make your document height and width dimensions .25″ (6mm) larger than your final trim size. For example, if the finished size is 8.5″ x 11″ then make your document 8.75″ x11.25″. Position guides that are .125″ from each edge. For design purposes, these guides will represent where the paper (and any of your design elements) will be cut.

Position any background color, graphic, or image that you want to bleed so they extended past your guides, all the way to the outside edge of the document. Remember, the extra .125″ will be cut off after your piece is printed.