Bleed is the portion of the print that will be trimmed off when the printed piece is being cut to final size.
In print, we have variables involved. Printing can "wiggle" a little or trimming can slip ever so slightly. If we don't carry our elements out past the point that we want to trim, or keep our content safely away from the edge, things can start to look pretty sloppy and none of us want that!
Follow these simple steps to ensure your prints look the way you envisioned them.
Please note: Each gutter between the boxes in the images below represents 1/8"
Background and other elements that you wish to have flush with the edge of your finished piece should be extended to the edge of the black box.
The magenta line represents a cutting tolerance. This will allow for a little "wiggle" or shift in the print without endangering your content of being cut into.
All critical elements that you do not wish to be cut into must be kept inside the green line.