1. No Bleed
The background stops at the trim line, so a white edge may become visible after cutting.
Bleed, Trim Line & Safe Area Guide
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Image Magic Artwork Preparation Guide
Understand Bleed Before Sending Your File for Printing
Bleed extends colours and images beyond the final trim line so that small cutting movements do not leave unwanted white edges on the finished print.
Quick Artwork Requirement
Bleed3 mm outside every trim edge.
Trim lineThe final finished size after cutting.
Safe marginKeep important content at least 5 mm inside the trim line.
Product templates and product-specific instructions take priority over these general measurements.
What Is Bleed?
Bleed is the additional artwork extending outside the finished size of a printed product. It is normally removed during trimming and does not make the final product larger.
Bleed is required when a background colour, photograph, pattern or graphic is intended to continue all the way to the edge of the finished print. Without bleed, small cutting movement may reveal a thin white edge.
1
Bleed Area
Extend backgrounds and edge-to-edge images 3 mm beyond the trim line on every side.
2
Trim Line
This represents the final product size. Artwork outside this line is intended to be trimmed away.
3
Safe Area
Keep text, logos, QR codes, page numbers and other important content at least 5 mm inside the trim line.
How to Calculate a File With 3 mm Bleed
Add 3 mm to the left, right, top and bottom. This adds a total of 6 mm to both the width and height of the finished size.
General calculation
Supplied artwork size = finished width + 6 mm × finished height + 6 mm
For example, an A4 finished size is 210 × 297 mm. With 3 mm bleed on every edge, the supplied artwork size becomes 216 × 303 mm.
| Product or size | Finished size | Artwork size with 3 mm bleed |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | 90 × 54 mm | 96 × 60 mm |
| DL | 99 × 210 mm | 105 × 216 mm |
| A6 | 105 × 148 mm | 111 × 154 mm |
| A5 | 148 × 210 mm | 154 × 216 mm |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | 216 × 303 mm |
| A3 | 297 × 420 mm | 303 × 426 mm |
Always follow the exact size shown on the selected product page or downloadable template. Some products use different finished dimensions.
When Is Bleed Required?
Bleed is required when:
- A background colour reaches the edge.
- A photograph continues to the edge.
- A pattern, shape or graphic touches the trim line.
- The product template specifically requests bleed.
Bleed may not be visually necessary when:
- The entire outer edge is intentionally white or blank.
- No image, colour or graphic reaches the edge.
- The product uses another production method or dedicated template.
Important: Even when the outer edge is white, the file must still match the correct product size. Follow the product template whenever one is supplied.
Borders Near the Edge
Thin borders close to the trim line can appear uneven after cutting, especially on double-sided products. A small amount of trimming movement can make one side of the border look thicker than another.
For the most professional result, avoid narrow borders near the edge. When a border is necessary, place it well inside the safe area and make it thick enough that minor trimming movement is less noticeable.
Common Bleed Artwork Mistakes
2. Text Too Close to the Edge
Text, logos or QR codes placed outside the safe area may be trimmed or appear uncomfortably close to the edge.
3. Different Colour in the Bleed
The bleed should continue the same background, image or pattern. A different colour may become visible along the trimmed edge.
Before Uploading Your Artwork
✓Confirm the correct finished product size.
✓Add 3 mm bleed to every edge when required.
✓Extend backgrounds and photographs through the full bleed area.
✓Keep important content at least 5 mm inside the trim line.
✓Check that borders are not too close to the edge.
✓Export and inspect the final print-ready PDF before uploading.
Crop marks are generally not required unless the product instructions or our production team specifically requests them.
Product-Specific Exceptions
The 3 mm bleed and 5 mm safe margin are general recommendations for many standard flat printed products. Different requirements may apply to:
- Booklets and bound documents.
- Die-cut or contour-cut stickers.
- Packaging and products using dielines.
- Folded brochures with unequal panel widths.
- Large-format banners and display products.
- Spot UV, foil stamping and other special finishes.
Check the product template or read our Supplying Artwork Guide before preparing these products.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much bleed should I add?
Use 3 mm on every edge for most standard products unless the product template specifies another measurement.
Is bleed the same as cutting tolerance?
No. Bleed is extra artwork outside the finished size. It protects the design when small cutting movement occurs during trimming.
How far should text be from the trim line?
Keep important text, logos and QR codes at least 5 mm inside the trim line unless the product template requires a larger safe area.
Do I need bleed when the background is white?
Visible bleed may not be necessary when the outer edge is completely white, but the file must still use the correct artwork dimensions and follow the relevant product template.
Does every product use 3 mm bleed?
No. Large-format, packaging, binding, die-cut and special-finishing products may use different requirements.
Unable to Correct the Bleed in Your Artwork?
Send us the product type, finished size, quantity and artwork file. Our team can review the basic setup. Artwork adjustment charges and additional preparation time may apply.