Bleed Guidelines
Bleed is a printing term that is used to describe a document which has images or elements that touch the edge of the page, extending beyond the trim edge 1/8" and leaving no white margin. When a document has bleed, it must be printed on a larger sheet of paper and then trimmed down.
The example below shows how a document should be set up with bleed. This is the way you must set up your document if you intend to have graphics that extend all the way to the edges of the cut item.
The example uses a business card, however, the same principle and measurements apply to a document of
any size.
This does not only pertain to small printed items such as postcards, but larger documents as well. No printers can print right to the edge of a sheet, therefore any standard size prints with bleed must actually be printed on a larger sheet and cut down. For example, an 8.5”x11” page with bleed must be printed on an 11”x17” sheet and then cut to size.
COMMON DOCUMENT & THEIR MEASUREMENTS WITH BLEED
3.5” x 2“ business card ---> 3.75” x 2.25”
4” x 6” postcard ---> 4.25” x 6.25”
5” x 7” invitation ---> 5.25” x 7.25”
8.5” x 11” sheet ---> 8.75” x 11.25”
11” x 17” sheet ---> 11.25” x 17.25”
12” x 18” sheet ---> 12.25” x 18.25”
