Bleed
Definition
A bleed in publishing refers to the part of a design that extends beyond the edge of a page, leaving no white space. When a book, magazine, or other printed piece is cut down to its final size, the bleed makes sure that the images, colors, background, or design reach all the way to the edge without leaving a white border, margins, or blank space. [1]
Most printers require a bleed to be at least 0.125 inches on each side of the page.[2] Designers plan for this by making the images or backgrounds of the page extend past the actual intended edge of the page. In doing this, designers also make sure to keep any important information or text within the margins and not extend past the edge to make sure they are not cut off in the bleed.
Role in Publishing
A bleed is important in the process of publishing because of how printed materials are made. Pages are usually printed on large sheets and then further cut down to the intended size. However, this cutting process isn't always perfectly exact. A small shift in the cutting process could leave an unintentional white space at the edge if a bleed is not included in the design.[2] A bleed acts like a safety cushion, and by including a bleed, designers can give a bit of extra space in case the cut is not perfect while still keeping the intended design.
Bleeds are most often used in books, posters, or other designs that use a lot of images or visuals, like picture books, art books, or magazines with full-page pictures.[2] Even in books that are mostly text, a bleed is still used on the cover so the design can spread all the way to the edge.
Importance of Bleeds
A bleed is a small but very important detail of the finished product and how the final printed piece looks. Without using a bleed, a piece can end up with uneven edges or accidental white space or borders. Including a bleed makes sure the final product looks clean, polished, and intentional. [1]
