What is bleed?
Bleed is extra image or colour extending beyond the final trim size. For most commercial print, 3mm on every edge is the practical standard.
Without bleed, even a tiny movement during cutting can leave an unwanted white edge.
What is the trim line?
The trim line is the finished size of the job. It is where the guillotine is intended to cut after printing.
What is the safe area?
Text, logos and page numbers should sit comfortably inside the trim edge. We recommend at least 4mm to 5mm for most work.
The safe area protects important content from looking cramped or being cut too close.
A simple working rule
Add 3mm bleed outside the finished size and keep important content at least 4mm to 5mm inside it.
This is one of the simplest artwork checks and one of the most common reasons files have to be returned.