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What is Bleed, Trim, Margins and Crop Marks?
The interactive image below shows 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: Interactive guide works best on a desktop computer.
What is Margin?
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?
The Trim Line is a design guide representing the very edge of your page (the finished trim size).
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?
Bleed provides a buffer, typically 5mm beyond the page edge.
This allows for the printed sheet to be trimmed to the finished size.
Ensuring your document has bleed prevents unprinted paper (usually white) showing around the edges of your design.
Expanding or aligning your background images to the bleed line will ensure an edgeless, flawless print for a professional finish.
Next: Bleed vs No Bleed
Bleed
Example of Print-Ready Artwork
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