In graphic design and printing, a "bleed" refers to the area beyond the final trim size of a printed document or artwork. It is an essential part of the design preparation process, especially for projects that require printing to the edge of the paper, such as brochures, business cards, flyers, and posters.

When a design has bleeds, it means that the background or any design elements that extend to the edge of the page continue beyond the actual trim size. This extra area ensures that when the printed piece is trimmed to its final size, there are no white borders or unprinted edges, even if there is slight variation during the trimming process.

The standard bleed measurement is typically 1/8 inch (0.125 inches) or 3mm, although it can vary depending on the print shop's requirements or the specific project. For example, if you are designing an 8.5" x 11" flyer with a 1/8 inch bleed, your document size would be 8.75" x 11.25", with the extra 1/8 inch on each side that extends beyond the final trim size.

Printers use bleeds to accommodate slight variations that may occur during the printing and trimming process, ensuring that the printed design appears seamless and professional. It's essential to include bleeds in your design files if you want elements to extend to the edge of the printed piece without any white space or borders. When submitting files for printing, it is crucial to communicate with your print service provider to understand their specific bleed requirements and ensure your design is set up correctly for the best results.

How to add a Bleed

Adding bleeds to art files is a crucial step in preparing designs for professional printing, especially for projects like brochures, business cards, or posters. Bleeds ensure that the printed design extends all the way to the edge of the paper after trimming, avoiding any unwanted white borders. Here's how you can add bleeds to art files using popular graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign:

Adobe Illustrator:

Open your Illustrator document with the artwork you want to add bleeds to.
If your artwork is not already set up with bleeds, go to "File" > "Document Setup."
In the Document Setup dialog box, enter the desired bleed value in the "Bleed" field. Typically, 0.125 inches (or 3mm) is a common bleed value.
Check the "Use Document Bleed Settings" option and click "OK" to apply the bleeds to your artwork.
Make sure your design elements extend beyond the actual trim size, covering the bleed area you specified.

Adobe InDesign:

Open your InDesign document containing the artwork you want to add bleeds to.
If you did not set up your document with bleeds initially, go to "File" > "Document Setup."
In the Document Setup dialog box, enter the desired bleed value in the "Bleed and Slug" section. Again, 0.125 inches (or 3mm) is a common bleed value.
Click "OK" to apply the bleeds to your InDesign document.
Make sure your design elements extend beyond the actual trim size, covering the bleed area you specified.
When exporting or saving the file for print, ensure that you select the correct options for exporting with bleeds. In the Export or Save As dialog box, you will find options to include bleeds based on your previous document setup.

Always communicate with your print service provider about their specific bleed requirements, as different printers may have different specifications. Additionally, before finalizing your artwork with bleeds, make sure to check and review the entire design to ensure no critical elements (such as text or logos) are too close to the trim edge, as they may get cut off during the trimming process.