How do I set up a bleed on my printed materials?

Setting up a bleed means letting your design run past the cut line so no white edge is left behind. For most products, add 1/8" (0.125") of extra artwork on every side of the file. Your proof shows exactly where the cut happens.

• The red line on your proof marks the cut line.
• For full bleed, push your backgrounds and edge graphics past that red line, all the way into the bleed area.
• Export with the bleed included, ideally with crop marks turned on in your PDF settings.
• After trimming, the design reaches the edge with no white margin.

Keep important text and logos a safe distance inside the cut line so nothing is clipped during trimming.

The cut can move slightly during trimming, which is why bleed exists. A printer template marks the bleed, trim and safe area, so the setup is done for you; hold text and logos at least 1/8 inch inside the trim.