Cutting to the final format may result in deviations of up to one millimetre. To ensure that the printed product can nevertheless be neatly cut to the corresponding data format, a bleed must be added to the artwork. This serves as tolerance for possible later trimming differences.

If artwork contains no bleed or only a completely white bleed, disturbing "flashes" can occur – white margins are then visible around the final format. It is also possible that part of the design is cut off.

In addition to the bleed, the safety margin ensures that texts and design elements are not cut off.

Left image: artwork including 2 mm bleed and 4 mm safety margin

Right image: printed business cards – cleanly cut and with an ideal safety margin

The bleed should not simply be colourless or filled with white colour. Drag background designs beyond the edge of the final format to the edge of the data format. But make sure that no critical content extends beyond the final format size because it might be cut off.

Artwork view: The background design fills the bleed up to the edge of the data format.