What is a bleed?

Bleed is a standard print term for artwork that runs all the way to the edge of the paper. It exists because sheets are cut in stacks and shift slightly during trimming.

• A bleed means printing going right to the edge of the paper.
• You create it by extending your background past the trim line, typically 0.125" on each side (some products call for up to 0.25", so check your product's template).
• That extra margin prevents thin white slivers if the cut moves slightly.
• Keep text and logos at least 0.125" inside the trim line, in the safety area away from the bleed.

Any design that touches the edge needs bleed built into the file. A design with a white border all around does not need it.