What is bleed?

Avatar
Damian J
Follow

Bleed is the area past the trim edge or finished size.

If any element of your artwork is designed to be printed to the edge, it must be extended past the trim line and into the bleed area by a minimum of 0.125".

The addition of bleed compensates for uncontrollable shifts that occur during the printing and trimming process; and ensures that any content touching the edges does not leave unwanted gaps or borders.

The bleed area will be visible on your online PDF proof but will be trimmed off, so only the artwork within the trim line will be on your finished product.

See: How to apply bleed.

 

Example

Incorrect

  • Artwork does not extend past the crop marks (trim size)
  • Bleed is not a seamless extension of the design

Correct

  • Artwork extends past the crop marks and covers the bleed area on all sides
  • Bleed is a seamless extension of the artwork

Standard Card Specifications

Finished size 3.5 x 2    
Bleed area 3.75 x 2.25 +0.25 from the finished size 
Safety zone 3.25 x 1.75 -0.25 from the finished size

NB. Certain products may have larger safety margins (such as Wood and Pulp stocks).

Have more questions? Submit a request

Comments