Bleed, Why You Need it in Print

When it comes to consistency in any print format bleed is key.

Bleed ensures that the final product has no unintended white borders and that the design extends seamlessly to the edge of the paper. Here are the key reasons why bleed is important:

Professional Finish

Including a bleed gives printed materials a professional look. It ensures that the artwork covers the entire surface of the paper, providing a clean, edge-to-edge appearance.

Design Flexibility

Bleed provides flexibility in the design process. Designers can create artwork that extends beyond the final trim size, allowing for creative and dynamic layouts that would be difficult to achieve without bleed

Compensation for Cutting Inaccuracies

Printing and cutting processes are not always perfectly precise. A bleed allows for slight deviations in cutting without affecting the appearance of the design. Without a bleed, even a minor misalignment during trimming could result in unwanted white edges on the final printed piece.

Implementing Bleed in Print Design:

Typically, the standard bleed size is 3mm beyond the trim line. However, this can vary depending on the specific requirements of the printer or the type of print job (A larger job would need more bleed).

Most design software, such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop, allows you to set up a bleed area when creating a new document. This area is an extension of the document size and is marked by guides to help you design accordingly.

When designing, ensure that background colours, images, and other elements that are intended to reach the edge of the final product extend into the bleed area.

By understanding and implementing bleed in print design, designers can avoid common pitfalls associated with the printing process and ensure a polished, professional final product.

At Mesh Print, we won’t let your hard work fall short due to overlooked details.

Our extensive industry experience allows us to provide our clients with information and resources to help bring their creative vision to life.