What is “bleed"? Why is it important?

When graphics continue right to the edge of a sheet of paper, bleed is necessary. Why? A commercial printing press can’t print right to the edge of a sheet of paper. Instead, multiple products are printed onto a larger sheet of paper and cut down to size.

As it’s impossible to cut exactly to each design a little over print on every side is required. This is the “bleed", and any professionally printed document will require it and a corresponding safe zone.

Bleed and Safe Zone explained; How much “bleed" is required?

The printing industry standard is 3mm on each edge of a document, with 3mm safe zone inside. This means your document should have an extra 6mm in total on each side.

For example, an A4 sheet lined up with the correct bleed will be 216mm x 303mm. It will then be cut down to a finished size of 210mm x 297mm.

What is the safe zone?

The safe zone is an additional 3mm inside the cutting edge where no text or information should be put. Anything placed in this area is at risk of being cut off.

What is bleed and why is it required?

When a design continues up to the edge of the paper, bleed is required. Since most commercial printing presses are unable to print to the edge of a sheet of paper, they place multiple products upon large sheets of paper. These are then trimmed down to size and, due to the impossibility of cutting to the exact size of your design, an over print on all sides is required.

This overprint is called “bleed” and any document being printed professionally will require this, as well as a safety zone. Especially if your design runs up to the edge of the document, with the correct 3mm all around bleed edge and crop marks.

The crop or trim, marks are to show where the guillotines cut to and by following these, you will be able to see your final product. Your bleed is the area that goes beyond these marks. Please note we able to put crop marks on your design if you are not able to do so.

What is the safe zone?

The safe zone is a 5mm area situated inside the cutting edge, and you should not place text or important information here. Information within this area risks being trimmed into should these slip slightly on the guillotines.