Printbox artwork guide

What is bleed?

Bleed is the part of a background or image that extends beyond the final trim line. It is cut away after printing and prevents unwanted white edges.

Printbox rule of thumb

For standard print, add 3 mm bleed on every side. Keep text, logos, QR codes and other important elements at least 4 mm inside the trim line.

How a print-ready file is structured

Background colours and photos must extend to the outer file edge. The trim line is the finished product size, while important content stays inside the safe area.

PRINT BOX BUSINESS CARD 3 mm ≥ 4 mm FILE EDGE TRIM LINE SAFE AREA
Bleed — 3 mm Trim line — final size Safe area — at least 4 mm inside

Example: 90 × 50 mm business card

90 + 3 + 3 = 96 mm · 50 + 3 + 3 = 56 mm

Finished size 90 × 50 mm
PDF size including bleed 96 × 56 mm
90 + 3 + 3 = 96 mm · 50 + 3 + 3 = 56 mm
Correct ✓
PRINT BOXBUSINESS CARD

The background extends into the bleed and text stays inside the safe area.

Incorrect ×
PRINT BOXBUSINESS CARD

The background ends at the trim line or text is placed too close to the edge. white edge may appear.

Why is bleed needed?

1

Cutting has a small tolerance

A stack of paper can shift slightly during trimming. Bleed gives production a safe margin for that movement.

2

No white edge appears

When the background extends past the trim line, a tiny cutting shift does not reveal the white paper edge.

3

Important content stays intact

The safe area reduces the risk of trimming into text, logos, borders or QR codes.

Quick check before sending your PDF

  • The finished document size matches the ordered format.
  • There is 3 mm bleed on every side.
  • Backgrounds and photos extend to the outside edge of the bleed.
  • Important text and logos are at least 4 mm inside the trim line.
  • No crop marks or printer marks are added.
  • The print artwork is supplied as a PDF.
Exception: contour-cut stickers

Contour-cut jobs use separate artwork rules and usually a smaller bleed. Do not automatically apply the same 3 mm rule — follow the contour-cut artwork guide for those products.

Is your artwork ready?

Review the full artwork requirements or send your file with a quote request and we can check it before production.

All artwork requirements → Request a quote