Make it bleed! Don’t worry, we’re not talking about a certain red bodily fluid. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just embarking on your creative journey, understanding how to incorporate bleed into your designs can be the key to achieving impeccable and professional-looking printed materials. In this article, we’ll unravel the mystery behind bleed and delve into why it’s a crucial consideration for any design destined for print. So, grab your creative hats as we explore the fascinating realm of print design and the art of adding bleed for that extra touch of excellence.

What Is Bleed?

Bleed is an area in which artwork extends off the edges of a printed piece. What exactly do we mean by this? Print artwork is designed to specific dimensions intended for the final product, which we refer to as the finished size. When prepping files for print, the designer must extend the artwork (background color, photos, vector images) beyond the intended finished size, making it appear to “bleed” off the edge of the document.

Why is Bleed Necessary?

Bleed is essential for print projects. For various reasons, projects are printed on an oversized sheet of paper and then cut down to the finished size. While modern technology can be quite precise, it's difficult for a cutting machine to cut exactly on the intended trim line every single time. Being even a millimeter off can cause quality issues. Without bleed, there’s no room for cutting error and products often end up with unintended slivers of white on the edges. The only instance where bleed would not be necessary is if artwork is designed with margins of non-printed area on all sides.

Standard Bleed for Print

Now that we’ve established why bleed is necessary, you’re probably wondering how much bleed should be added to documents. While bleed amount may vary depending on the type of project or a printing company’s specific preferences, the industry standard is 0.125” (1/8”).

Going beyond the initial curiosity evoked by its name, bleed is an indispensable technique that bridges the gap between print design and execution. Whether you're embarking on your maiden voyage or have sailed these design waters for years, the mastery of bleed brings you a step closer to achieving impeccable, flawlessly executed printed materials. So, as you infuse your designs with bleed, you're not just adding space, you're adding a touch of mastery that sets your work apart. Happy designing!