A good bleed size is typically .125 inches, but this can vary depending on the size of your document.
Understanding Bleed
Bleed is an essential part of the printing process. It refers to the area of an image or color that extends beyond the final trim size of your document. This extra area is crucial to prevent white edges from appearing when the document is cut to its final size.
Standard Bleed Sizes
While .125 inches is the standard for most documents, it's important to be aware of other size requirements:
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Standard Bleed:
- Most documents use a bleed of .125 inches (or 1/8th of an inch). This is a common setting in design software like Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
-
Larger Documents:
- For documents larger than 18 x 24 inches, a larger bleed of .5 inches is generally recommended. This larger bleed is necessary to accommodate the increased tolerance for error during trimming of bigger prints.
Why is Bleed Important?
- Eliminate White Edges: Without bleed, minor cutting variations during the trimming process might result in unwanted white edges on the final printed product.
- Maintain Design Integrity: Bleed ensures that the design extends fully to the edge of the printed piece, maintaining a professional look.
Practical Tips
- Always Check with Your Printer: Before starting your design project, confirm the required bleed size with your printing service.
- Set Bleed in Design Software: Set the bleed area in your design software before you begin creating your project. This will make it easy to ensure your design elements extend into the bleed area.
- Extend Backgrounds and Images: Make sure that background colors, patterns, and images extend beyond the trim line and into the bleed area.
Examples
| Document Size | Recommended Bleed |
|---|---|
| Standard Business Card | .125 inches |
| Letter Size (8.5 x 11 inches) | .125 inches |
| Large Poster (24 x 36 inches) | .5 inches |
