FAQ – Bleed

Bleed

A term used to describe ink coverage that extends all the way to the edge of a page, paper, piece of fabric or other printed surface. This is accomplished by printing on paper or fabric larger than the finished size of a publication, bag, shirt or other embellished item, then trimming either the item to the desired size or sewing so the seams appear to be at the edge.

Bleeds are often used on business cards so that the white border of the paper doesn’t show on the card. Some custom bag and t-shirt manufacturers use the process to print on fabric before it is sewn. Bleeds enable use of the entire surface of the paper, fabric or other product. Production time for fabric bleeds may be longer than normal.