The primary difference between bleed and no bleed in printing is that bleed extends the printed artwork beyond the final trimmed edge, eliminating white borders, while no bleed leaves a margin or white border around the design.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Bleed Printing
- Definition: Bleed refers to the portion of your design that extends beyond the intended cut line of the printed piece.
- Purpose: To ensure that the final printed product has color or images running right to the edge, without any unsightly white gaps due to slight cutting inaccuracies.
- How it Works: The design is printed on a larger sheet of paper, and then trimmed down to the final size. The "bleed" area is what gets cut off.
- Example: A business card with a solid blue background that goes to the very edge would require bleed. The blue background would actually be printed slightly larger than the final business card size, and then trimmed down.
- Why it's Important: It's crucial for professional-looking prints, particularly when working with images, colors, or patterns intended to extend to the edge of the final product.
No Bleed Printing
- Definition: No bleed means the design is contained entirely within the final dimensions of the printed piece, leaving a margin or white space around the edges.
- Purpose: Often used when a border or frame is desired, or when the design naturally allows for a margin.
- How it Works: The artwork is created to fit precisely within the printable area, with consideration for the unprinted border.
- Example: A poster with a decorative border, or a document with text and images centered on the page without reaching the edges, uses no bleed.
- Why it's Important: It simplifies the printing process, as precise trimming is less critical. It is a suitable option when having a border doesn't negatively impact the design.
Table Summarizing the Differences
| Feature | Bleed | No Bleed |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Artwork extends beyond the trim edge | Artwork stays within the trim edge |
| Appearance | Color/image to the very edge of the final piece | Margin or white space around the design |
| Purpose | Eliminate white borders after trimming | Achieve a bordered look or simplify printing |
| Printing Size | Printed on a larger sheet, then trimmed | Printed directly to the final size area |
In summary, choose bleed when you want your artwork to run seamlessly to the edge of the printed piece and avoid any potential white borders. Choose no bleed when a border is desired or when the design aesthetic allows for a margin.
