The bleed area, or simply 'bleed,' is an extension of the color or image beyond the intended trim line. This extra portion ensures that there's no white edge showing after the material is cut. Bleeds are commonly used in flexographic and offset printing processes, and the exact amount can vary based on several factors.

Imagine the cutting die or die-cutter shifts by one millimeter during production. If the cut is made outside the color edge, this one-millimeter shift will expose the white paper. To avoid this, the production team would have to repeat the cutting process, this time positioning the die slightly inward to compensate for the error.

A better approach is to create a bleed area. Colors and images that extend to the edge of the cut are extended by two or three millimeters. The cut line remains slightly inward, trimming away a portion of the extended color, and eliminating the risk of white edges.

Object > Path > Offset path

• To create this area in complex outlines, select the cut lines in Illustrator and use the 'Offset Path' command. The exact offset value should be coordinated with the die-cutter operator, but a default value of three millimeters can be a good starting point.

"Bleed settings can both decrease and increase the amount of waste. Be careful in choosing the amount of bleed."