Quick Answer:
Bleed = Extra background content that bleeds past the cut edge.
Requirements:
Bleed Edge – 0.125in outside all four side
Safe Zone – 0.125in inside all four edges
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“Full Bleed” and “Print to the Edge” are NOT the same thing.
Full Bleed Printing Method:
Full bleed is a method of printing that commercial printers use to achieve the “print-to-the-edge” look. It requires us to be able to “cut into” the artwork. This is because with commercial printing and the high speed of it we aren’t able to actually print to the edge of the sheet because everything gets printed on large sheets and cut out.
Margin of Error!!!
This process is not 100% precise so we have to have wiggle room and we use the full bleed method to create that wiggle room. That means your background graphics have to be able to be cut into but your text has to be away from the cut edge so that we don’t accidentally cut the text when we are cutting into the background graphics.
What can go wrong?
No Bleed Edge Provided
Since the cutting process is not 100% precise. If a bleed edge is not provided AND either the printing/cutting process is no 100% perfect then you’ll end up with white margins at the edges of your file.
Text/Important Graphics (logos) too close to the edges.
Since the cutting process is not 100% precise. If a bleed edge is not provided AND either the printing/cutting process is no 100% perfect then you’ll end up text and/or important graphics that get trimmed off during cutting.
How to Fix it?
Always include a bleed edge.
Bleed edge = Extra Content that will be cut off.
How much? = An extra .125in on all four edges.
Example:
A 5in x 7in print should be 5.25in x 7.25in
.125in + 5in + .125in = 5.25in
Always keep important text away from the edge:
Safe Zone = All Text needs to be at least .125in away from the cut edge.
Example:
A 5in x 7in print should have no text outside
4.75in x 6.75in.