Document Size, Bleed & Safe Area

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All files must incorporate a 1/8” bleed area and a 1/8” safe area.

The bleed area is an area 1/8” larger than the final trim size of your document that is trimmed off during the finishing process. Since the bleed extends 1/8” on all four sides the bleed size of your document is ¼” larger than your final trimmed document.
Example: Final Document Size 8.5x11 – Document Size with Bleed 8.75x11.25.

The Safe Area is the area 1/8” smaller all the way around the final trim size of your document. All critical elements or text should be backed away at least 1/8” from the edge of the final trim size of your document to allow for production and trimming variances.

Most graphic programs, but not all, allow you to set your document size at the trim size and extend the artwork past the trim to allow for bleeds. Photoshop and some other programs require you to set the document size at the bleed size in order to allow for bleed. Refer to your program help files to determine which method is correct for you.

If you are converting your files to a PDF before submission make sure you set your PDF page size correctly to include bleeds.