How much bleed should I add to my business card dimensions?

Bleed is extra artwork that extends past the final cut line so background colors and images reach the very edge of the trimmed card. For metric files, add 0.3 cm (3 mm) on all four sides; in inches, the standard is 0.125" on every side.

• Standard trim size: 8.9 x 5.1 cm (3.5" x 2", the North American card).
• Document size with bleed: 9.5 x 5.7 cm (3.75" x 2.25" for an inch-based file).
• Extend every background color, photo, and pattern into the full bleed area.
• Keep text and logos inside the safe zone, at least 0.3 cm in from the trim, which leaves roughly a 3.25" x 1.75" safe area on a standard card.

Without bleed, a slight shift during cutting can leave thin white slivers along the edges.