Print bleeds - How to set up a print file correctly!

The following outlines the steps for setting up print bleed in common design programs:

1. Adobe Illustrator:

As a vector-based application, Illustrator offers a straightforward bleed setup process during document creation or modification.

• Creating a New Document:

1. Navigate to File > New.
2. In the “New Document” dialog, specify the desired Width and Height for the final trim size.
3. Locate the Bleed section and input 0.25 (or the preferred bleed value) into the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right fields. The fields can be linked to apply the same value uniformly.
4. Select Create. The artboard will now display a red outline beyond the black trim line, indicating the bleed area.

• Modifying Bleed in an Existing Document:

1. Go to File > Document Setup (or use the shortcut Alt + Ctrl + P / Option + Command + P).
2. Within the “Document Setup” dialog, find the Bleed section.
3. Enter 0.25 (or the desired bleed value) in the respective Top, Bottom, Left, and Right fields.
4. Click OK. Bleed guides will now be visible around the artboard.

It is essential to ensure that any design elements intended to extend to the edge of the printed piece are extended to the outer boundary of these bleed guides.

2. Adobe Photoshop:

In Photoshop, a raster-based program, accommodating bleed involves adjusting the canvas size.

• Creating a New Document:

1. Determine the final trim dimensions (width and height).
2. Add the bleed amount to each dimension. For a 0.25″ bleed on all sides, add 0.5″ to both the width and height. For an 8.5″ x 11″ final size, the new document size should be 9″ x 11.5″.
3. Go to File > New.
4. Input the adjusted Width and Height.
5. Set the desired Resolution (typically 300 DPI for print).
6. Click Create.

• Adding Bleed to an Existing Document:

1. Navigate to Image > Canvas Size (or use the shortcut Alt + Ctrl + C / Option + Command + C).
2. Ensure the “Relative” checkbox is selected.
3. Enter 0.5 inches for both Width and Height to add 0.25″ of bleed on each side.
4. Select the center Anchor point to expand the canvas uniformly.
5. Click OK. The canvas will now be larger, providing space for the bleed.

It is then necessary to extend any background layers or elements that require bleeding into this newly added area. Guides (View > New Guide) can be utilized to mark the trim lines for better visualization of the final size.

3. Canva:

Canva’s bleed management capabilities are somewhat more limited compared to dedicated design software. Setting it up correctly at the beginning of the design process is advisable.

• Creating a New Design (if available for the format):

1. When specifying custom dimensions, some print-oriented templates may include a bleed option. If present, input 0.25 inches (or the pixel equivalent).

• For Existing Designs or Formats Without a Direct Bleed Option:

1. Manual Canvas Expansion: As a workaround, determine the final trim size and add 0.5″ to both dimensions for a 0.25″ bleed. Go to File > Resize and enter the new, larger dimensions.
2. Manual Element Extension: Carefully extend any background colors or elements intended to bleed to the new outer edges of the expanded canvas.
3. Guide Utilization: Canva allows the addition of guides. Calculate the positions of the trim lines on the enlarged canvas and add guides to represent them. This helps ensure critical information remains within the safe printing area.

When exporting from Canva for print, look for an option to “Include bleed marks and bleed” if available. If this option is absent, clear communication with the printing service regarding the added bleed to the document size is crucial. Supplying a PDF with crop marks can also be beneficial.