PDF bleed is the area of an image or design that extends beyond the final trim size of a printed page. This extra area ensures that the image or design runs right to the edge of the printed piece after it's been cut.
Why is Bleed Necessary?
Without bleed, there's a risk of white, unprinted edges appearing on the final product due to slight variations in the trimming process. These variations, though small, are common in commercial printing. Bleed eliminates this risk by providing an overlap that is trimmed off, leaving a clean, edge-to-edge print.
How Does Bleed Work?
- Design Extends Beyond Trim: The design elements (images, colors, backgrounds) are created to extend past the intended final size of the page.
- Printing: The document is printed with this extended area included.
- Trimming: After printing, the document is cut down to its final size. The bleed area is trimmed away, leaving a design that reaches the very edge of the paper.
Common Bleed Area Dimensions:
While the exact bleed amount can vary based on printer requirements, a standard bleed area is typically:
- 0.125 inches (1/8 inch)
- 3mm
Therefore, if you're designing a business card that's intended to be 3.5" x 2", you should create your design canvas at 3.75" x 2.25" and extend any elements that should reach the edge to the full size of the canvas.
Importance of Bleed
- Professional Appearance: Bleed ensures a professional and polished look to printed materials.
- Avoid White Edges: Eliminates unsightly white borders.
- Consistent Results: Helps maintain consistent edge-to-edge printing across multiple copies.
Example Scenario:
Imagine printing a brochure with a full-page photograph. If the photo only extends to the intended trim lines, any slight inaccuracy in the cutting process could leave a thin white line at the edge of the brochure. By using bleed, the photo extends beyond the trim line, and the cutting process simply removes the excess, guaranteeing the photo reaches the edge of the finished brochure.
