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Bleed, Trim & Safe Margins
Keep backgrounds running to the edge and important details safely inside it.
Here’s how to prepare your artwork for trimming.
Three terms worth knowing
Bleed
Artwork that extends beyond the finished edge, allowing for small variations when cutting.
Trim
The edge where your printed piece is cut to its final size.
Safe margins
Space inside the trim edge that keeps text and logos away from the cut.
How much space should I allow?
These are your starting points, not universal rules. Your printer’s specifications takes priority.
Bleed: often 3 mm
Many printers ask for 3 mm on every side.
Check their requirements before you start.
Safe margins: allow breathing room
For a simple flyer, 5 mm inside the trim is a useful starting point. Binding, folds and larger formats may need more.
An A5 example
Finished size
148 x 210 mm
Bleed
3 mm each side
Finished size
154 x 216 mm
Set it up in your software
InDesign keeps bleed seperate from the page size. In Photoshop, include it in the canvas size.
InDesign
- Create an A5 page at 148 x 210 mm
- Set Bleed to 3 mm on all sides
- Set suitable margins inside the page
- Extend backgrounds to the bleed guides
- Export with Use Document Bleed Settings
Photoshop
- Create a canvas at 148 x 210 mm
- Add trim guides 3 mm from each edge
- Add safe-area guides further inside
- Extend backgrounds across the canvas
- Confirm the export format with your printer
Before you send the file
Bleed matches the printer’s requirements
Backgrounds extend through the bleed
Text and logos sit inside safe margins
Exported file has been checked
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