Prepress & Color Control Queries, ZQA

How Much Bleed is Needed for a Perfect Trim?

Why is Bleed mandatory, and how much margin is typically required beyond the trim line for a safe cut?

Bleed is mandatory because it compensates for unavoidable inaccuracies in cutting machines, such as slight vibrations or minor misalignment (register error) during the printing process. This ensures that after the final cut, no unwanted white border or strip remains on the edge of the printed product. Designers must extend all visual elements intended to reach the final edge of the product by a standard measurement, typically a minimum of 3 to 5 millimeters, past the trim line. This safety margin must be correctly calculated in graphic design software and accurately applied when outputting final print files (such as PDF/X format) to ensure a flawless visual result.

Aligned with: ISO 12647 / G7 / FOGRA