Most printers you encounter will require that your projects include a bleed. A bleed of 3mm is usually requested.
The reason that a bleed is necessary is because it creates a margin of error when it comes to cropping the printed product. As an example, imagine you’re making a poster from a photograph. If the paper is trimmed at exactly the right place there will be no problem. However, if there is any variation as to where the paper gets trimmed you will end up with a poster that has edges that haven’t been printed on. Therefore if you include a bleed, a small variation won’t be noticed as the edge of the photograph will have been extended.
Bleed specifications can vary from printer to printer, however it is generally considered advisable to use a bleed of 1/2 inch or more. Publishing software such as Adobe InDesign has built-in bleed settings which makes it easy for you to work with, turn on / off bleeds as well as to be able to export with the proper settings and marks.
About the Author: keir
Related posts
15 printing terms every designer needs to know – Part 2
The second part of 'When Mick mentions saddle stitching what does he mean?'. Contains lots of terminology useful for everyone ...
4 Top Tips For Maintaining Your Printer
Just like any other piece of equipment, your printer needs love and attention to stay properly maintained. We have outlined ...
Using & Converting Spot Colours in Illustrator
Sometimes a client will request you use a Pantone spot colour in their artwork. This can cause problems when setting ...
What Print Products are Best for my Business?
It can be overwhelming to try and advertise your company when there are so many options to choose from! Do ...
The Importance of Print Fonts
Your font choice can often be overlooked, however they are fundamental in creating reader-friendly marketing materials, and are a major ...
Mousemats and mugs fly out the door for Fairness Healthcare!
Did you know we offer no minimum quantity on the most popular range of personalised promotional merchandise? That’s right, you ...
Print Basics – Part 2
The second part of our Print Basics article. It covers Resolutions, Bleed, Fonts and much more.
The Basics Of Print – Part 1
One of the most important assets you can have as a designer doing print work, whether you are new or ...
What Does Your Business Card Say About You?
In a meeting with a new client or potential business partner, what is the one thing you are most likely ...
15 printing terms every designer needs to know – Part 1
The first part in our 'When Mick mentions saddle stitching what does he mean?' article. You'll find some information on ...
Popular Print Terms
We’ve put together a short list of popular print terms used on a regular basis by digital and lithographic printers. ...
How It Works – Digital vs Traditional Printing Methods
If you’re interested about how print machinery works and the different methods and presses we use for various products, then ...
7 Tips for Effective Flyer Design
Effective flyer design will grab the eye, compel the recipient to read, and most importantly, give an effective call to ...
Why your Business Needs Quality Stationery
Stationery is one of the most underestimated products a business can have. Often overlooked by startups or businesses in a ...
General & Magazine Print Terms
General Print Terms Against the Grain: Folding at right angles to the grain direction of the paper being used, as ...
The Ultimate Guide to Designing with Black
Whether you're a graduate designer learning the tricks of the trade, a web designer delving into print or an accomplished ...
7 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid When Designing for Print
Designing for print can be a minefield for beginners. There’s so many easy mistakes to make that can have a ...
Pantone Color
Pantone is known as the worldwide standard of color. The company has been around since 1963 and has a universal ...
How It Works – The Four Colour Process
Like most media today, full colour printing is actually a trick played on the brain and the eye. A full ...
Print Trends For 2019
The print industry defies the naysayers every year and continues to thrive with new innovations and is undoubtedly still going ...
Outdoor Signs: Choosing the Right Material
Here at Print Mule, we offer such a wide selection of materials – it can seem overwhelming! As always, our ...
Why Is Print Media Important?
When it comes to promoting products and services, businesses can peruse a number of different avenues for a successful outcome. ...
Paper types
There are various types of printer paper available, but not all of them are created for the same purpose. With ...
The Difference Between Uncoated and Coated Paper Stocks
All paper starts out as uncoated and is made out of bleached wood fibres, fillers, clay and caulk fillings. At ...
About Image Resolution
The higher resolution, the sharper the image will be. A resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch) is recommended for ...
Large Format
Large format refers to anything that has to be printed using a specialty printer, commonly larger than 16 by 20 ...
Designing for Print – Setting Up Crops and Bleed
A design destined for print requires setting up to certain specifications to ensure that the work is printed correctly by ...
Why Choose Lamination Printing
Here at Print Mule, we know how valuable a humble products like leaflets, menus and business cards can be – ...
Top 5 Tips for Effective Signage
Using signage is a great way to advertise your morals and services as a business. It’s visual, therefore it’s memorable! ...
4 Design Tips That Will Capture Your Client’s Eye
Designing your first business card or brochure for your company can be daunting, because there’s so much to include, and ...
Converting colours in supplied artwork
How to avoid problems with spot colours cropping up in print documents.
The Print Mule Printing Jargon Buster!
We understand that the print industry is full of jargon and specific keywords you may not find anywhere else. Not ...
