Bleed and safe area: the 3 mm rule
Extend backgrounds 3 mm past the edge and keep text 3 mm inside it, so nothing important is trimmed and no white edges show after cutting.
Updated
On this page
Printed sheets are cut to size after printing. Cutting machines are very accurate, but paper can shift by a tiny amount. Bleed and a safe area make sure that small movement never shows.
Bleed: 3 mm outside the edge
If your design has a background colour or image that runs to the edge, extend it 3 mm beyond the finished size on every side. That extra is trimmed off. Without it, a thin white line can appear along the edge.
| Product | Finished size | Size with 3 mm bleed |
|---|---|---|
| Visiting card | 89 × 51 mm (3.5 × 2 in) | 95 × 57 mm |
| A5 flyer | 148 × 210 mm | 154 × 216 mm |
| A4 flyer or letterhead | 210 × 297 mm | 216 × 303 mm |
Safe area: 3 mm inside the edge
Keep all text, logos, phone numbers and QR codes at least 3 mm inside the trim line. Anything closer to the edge risks being clipped. Borders very close to the edge can also look uneven after cutting, so give them extra room.
Don’t worry if you’re unsure
If your file is missing bleed or something sits too close to the edge, we’ll point it out on your proof and suggest a fix before anything is printed.
Was this article helpful?
Related articles
- Artwork file types, resolution and colourSend PDF, AI, CDR, EPS, PSD, PNG or JPG at 300 DPI (100–150 DPI for big banners), in CMYK where you can. Here’s how to get it print-ready.
- Your free proof before printingWe send a free digital proof on WhatsApp for every order. Nothing is printed until you approve it, so check it carefully.
- Visiting cards: a buyer’s guideStandard 3.5 × 2 inch cards on 350 GSM matte board, plain or with matte lamination, printed one or both sides. From 100 cards.
- Stickers and labelsDie-cut stickers in matte, gloss, clear or holographic vinyl, and product labels on rolls. Order a standard size or your own.
Still need help?
Talk to a real person at our Gurugram workshop.
Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM IST