A simple guide for Pronto Reprographics customers.
What is a Safety Border or Bleed?
A “safety border” in the printing industry, also known as a “bleed”, is extra image or background color that extends beyond the final trim size of your printed piece. When your design includes elements that go right to the edge of the page, adding a safety border ensures there are no unwanted white lines or borders after trimming.
Why do Safety Borders Matter?
During the printing and trimming process, even the most precise cutting equipment can shift by a tiny fraction of an inch. Without a safety border, these micro-shifts can result in:
- White slivers along the edges of your print
- Uneven borders that look unprofessional
- Misaligned designs that don’t reach the edge as intended
By extending your design beyond the cut line, safety borders provide a safety margin that guarantees your design looks perfect every time.
What are Standard Safety Border Specifications?
The industry standard safety border is 0.125 inches (1/8 inch or 3mm) on all sides that extend to the edge. Many designers also use 0.25 inches.
For example, if you’re printing a standard 8.5″ × 11″ flyer:
- Final trim size: 8.5″ × 11″
- Document size with safety border: 8.75″ × 11.25″
- Add 0.125″ to each side where your design extends off the edge or 0.25″ for an extra safe zone
How to Set Up a File with Safety Borders?
Step 1: Extend Your Background
Make sure any background colors, images, or design elements that touch the edge extend at least 0.125″ beyond the final trim line.
Step 2: Keep Important Content Safe
Keep all critical text, logos, and design elements at least 0.25″ inside the trim line. This area is called the “safe zone” and ensures nothing important gets cut off.
Step 3: Should I Include Crop Marks?
Crop marks show exactly where to trim, so they can help you see what your print will look like after it’s been cut. However, if you prefer not to include them or you don’t know how to include them, don’t worry, we will take care of this step for you.
Common Safety Border Mistakes to Avoid:
❌ Not extending the bleed far enough – Make sure it’s a full 0.125″ beyond the trim line
❌ Placing text too close to the edge – Keep at least 0.25″ margin from the trim
❌ Using white backgrounds without bleeds – If your design has a white background and doesn’t extend to the edges, you don’t need a bleed
❌ Forgetting to check all edges – Only add bleeds to sides where your design extends to the edge
Quick Checklist for Print-Ready Files:
✅ Background elements extend 0.125″ beyond trim on all bleeding edges
✅ Important content stays 0.25″ inside the trim line (safe zone)
✅ File is set to CMYK color mode (not RGB)
✅ Images are at least 300 DPI resolution
✅ All fonts are outlined or embedded
✅ File is saved in the requested format (usually PDF)
Software-Specific Tips:
Adobe InDesign
- Set up bleeds in File → Document Setup → Bleed and Slug
- Enter 0.125″ for all bleed values
Adobe Illustrator
- Go to File → Document Setup → Edit Artboards
- Click “Bleed” and enter 0.125″ for all sides
Adobe Photoshop
- Add 0.25″ to both width and height of your canvas (0.125″ per side)
- Extend your design to fill the entire canvas
Canva, Zazzle or Other Online Software Tools
- Many online tools have “Add Bleed” options in their export settings
- If not available, manually resize and extend your design by placing your text or image closer to the center of the flyer or print. Think of it like placing a photograph in a frame, the thickness of the frame can hide key aspects of the photograph, so it’s good to zoom out and leave space around the intended image, so it remains central and visible .
Still Have Questions?
If you’re unsure whether your file is set up correctly, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re happy to review your files before printing to ensure the best possible results.
Remember: It’s better to have a bleed and not need it, than to need a bleed and not have it!
Visit our contact page or give us a call — we’d love to help bring your project to life.
Website: prontoreprographics.com
Location: 4302 Tiger Lane, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411
Phone: 361-777-0808
Thank you for reading!
– Pronto Reprographics is a 3rd generation, family-owned commercial print shop located in Corpus Christi , Texas; specializing in: blueprint printing, architectural plans, yard signs, signs, banners, posters, wide-format printing, wide-format scanning, wide-format laminating, stickers, embroidery, and more! We ship nationwide, let’s explore the possibilities!
