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What is Bleed, Trim, Margins and Crop Lines?
Have you ever sent your finished file to a Printer who's come back to tell you that your file doesn't have Bleed?
Did you wonder "What is bleed?" Or perhaps your document was missing Crop Marks?
Hover over the interactive image below to see what Bleed, Trim, Margins and Crop Marks are.
Click on each for more information, including how to set up your Print-Ready file using InDesign.
Feel free to share this helpful, interactive guide!
Note this interactive guide works best on a desktop.
What is Margin &
How do I set it up using InDesign?
Margin is not used by your Printer so doesn't need to be visible in your Print-Ready file. However, using document Margin is good practice to keep text and important content safely within the page edge and neatly aligned with other elements in your design.
Next: How to set up Margins in a NEW InDesign document
Margin
What are Trim and Crop Marks &
how do I set them up using InDesign?
The Trim Line is a design guide representing the very edge of your page (the finished size) where you want your printer to trim to.
Your image should bleed past this line to ensure no unprinted paper is visible on the edges of your design.
The trim line does not have to be visible in your Print-Ready Artwork but Crop Marks do.
Next: Crop Marks
TrimLine
What is Bleed &
how do I set it up using InDesign?
Bleed provides a buffer, typically 5mm beyond the page edge. This allows for a small margin of error when the printed sheet is trimmed down to the finished size.
Ensuring your document has bleed prevents
unprinted paper (usually white) showing around the edges of your design.
Dragging your background images to the bleed line will ensure an edgeless, flawless print for a professional finish.
Next: Bleed vs No Bleed
Bleed
What is Print-Ready artwork &
what does it look like?
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