What is bleed and how much is acceptable?

Bleed refers to the extra area around the edges of a printed document that extends beyond the final trim size. It's important to include bleed in print jobs to ensure that the final product does not have any unprinted areas or white borders due to slight misalignment during the trimming process.

The recommended amount of bleed can vary depending on the specific print job and printer requirements, but the standard amount is typically 1/8 inch (0.125 inches) or 3mm. Some printers may require more or less, so it's always best to check with your printer or refer to their guidelines before finalizing your design.

In terms of file setup, you should include the bleed in your design files and extend any images or background colors that extend to the edge of the document beyond the final trim size by the recommended bleed amount. This will ensure that the printer has enough bleed to work with during the trimming process.

When is it an issue?

Bleed can become an issue in printing when it's not included in the design files, or when it's not enough for the specific printing requirements. If there is no bleed, the printer may have to leave a white border around the final product, which can be visually unappealing or not in line with the design intent.

Additionally, if the bleed is not enough, there may be unprinted areas or white borders due to slight misalignment during the trimming process, which can also result in an unfinished or unprofessional appearance.

It's important to ensure that the bleed is set up correctly in the design files before submitting them for printing, and to follow the printer's guidelines to avoid any issues with the final product.