Design Tips #7

What are bleeds, and do I need them?

Bleed is when the ink color goes off the edge of the paper. No bleed, means that the ink stops before the edge and the paper is visible. Look at a template. Keep the ink within the blue line.

How much bleed should I have?
1/8 inch is the correct amount.

Make your document .125" too big in both dimensions. For instance, if the final size is 4.75" x 4.75", make your document 5" x 5".

Draw guides on the layout at .125" from the edge all the way around. Now create your design with the idea that the layout will be cut off where those guides are....because that is precisely what is going to happen. Make sure that any photographs or backgrounds that you want to bleed go clear out to the perimeter of the document, past the guidelines. Then after we have printed your piece we will trim off that extra .125" all the way around and voila! You have color all the way to the edges of your piece. It looks professional....