What is Bleed?
Bleed is where an object overlaps the trim of a page by a specified amount. A standard amount is typically 3mm. Since the bleed area will be trimmed off during finishing, you should keep text and other important information at least 6mm from the trim.
If your project has photos or graphics that extend to the edge of the page, it must be setup.
BLEED is an extra 6mm (3mm on each side) added to the final size (Trim size) to accomodate any text or images that run over the edge.
CROP/TRIM Line indicates the final, cut size of the finished printed piece.
SAFETY is at least 3mm from the final rtim size. Do not placy any critical images or text beyond the safety to avoid it getting cut off during finishing.
Please Note: Our business cards are 86 x 54mm. With Bleed they are 92 x 60mm.
With Bleed Without Bleed
Please note there can be a trimming variance of plus or minus 1-2 millimetre due to automated cutting systems, allow for this when setting up artwork. Allow between 2 – 3mm bleed all round and keep important information 2 – 3mm in from trim lines.
If you have artwork with borders that go to the finished edge of any printed job, it is imperative that they be at least 3mm thick from the edge of the finished product. Our trimming tolerance is +/- 1-2mm, so if your internal borders are set at 2mm, you may end up with a border which is 3mm at one side and 1mm at the other.
Ink Saturation
Be very mindful of not using to much ink coverage. As a rule never use more then 300 % ink coverage i.e. 100C 100M 100Y 0K =300% ink out of a maximum 400%. The more saturated the colours the more difficult it is to dry, trim, fold etc and could cause scuffing or set off.