Margins & Bleeds

Bleeds

When ink will be printed to the final cut edge of an item, part of the design needs to be set up to extend past the final cut edge so that when the item is trimmed, the resulting edge is clean and free of any white margins. This is called a bleed.

For most printed products, we require an 1/8" bleed. For example, art for a full bleed business card with a finished size of 3.5" x 2" will need to be created at 3.75" x 2.25".

Safe Area/Margins

For best results, keep important graphics and text at least 1/8" to 3/16" from the final trimmed edge of the item. This is called the "safe area" as important graphics and text that extend past the safe area may not print as expected or may even be cut off on the final finished product.

Process-Specific Margins

If your short-run project will be printed on either our full color or black & white digital multi-function devices, please submit your art with at least a 3/16" (0.1875") margin/safe area.

For black ink or spot color press projects, please submit your art with at least a 3/16" (0.1875") margin/safe area.

If your project will be printed on our full color offset presses, please submit your art with at least a 1/8" (0.125") margin/safe area.