What Is Bleed—and Why You Should Care When Designing for Print

If you’ve only ever sold digital products before, you’re not alone—most Corjl sellers are new to print design! With the launch of Corjl Prints, you can now offer professionally printed versions of your designs. But there are a few things to learn to make sure your designs print perfectly, and bleed is one of the most important.

🧾 What Is “Bleed”?

Bleed is a small margin—usually 1/8 inch (0.125”)—that goes around the outside of your design. It’s used to make sure your printed item has color or artwork that extends all the way to the edge without any unexpected white borders.

Let’s say you’re designing a 5” x 7” card. With bleed, your design should actually be 5.25” x 7.25” to allow for a bit of extra room. This helps account for tiny shifts when the printer cuts your design down to size.

🎨 Think of bleed as a safety buffer—it ensures your design looks clean and polished when trimmed.

🎯 Why Is Bleed Important?

Here’s what can happen if you don’t include bleed:

• White Edges May Appear

  Trimming machines aren’t exact to the pixel. Without bleed, slight shifts can leave thin white lines around your card.

• Your Design Might Look Incomplete

  Without background colors or artwork extending to the edges, the final product may look like something’s missing.

• It’s Required for Professional Printing

  Most print companies (including Corjl Prints) require bleed to ensure quality. If it’s not there, your file might be rejected or printed with issues.

👩‍🎨 New to Bleed? No Worries!

If you’re used to creating digital-only designs, bleed might be a brand-new concept—and that’s okay! It’s just a simple layout adjustment.

Here’s how to get started:

• Extend background colors or graphics slightly past the edges of your intended size.
• Keep any important text and design elements inside a safe zone (about 1/4" from the trim edge)