---
title: "What is Bleed? Definition · Ingenious Hub"
description: "Bleed is the extra margin of artwork that runs past the trim edge of a printed piece, usually about 3 mm, so no white edge shows when the paper is cut."
canonical: https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary/bleed
publisher: Ingenious Hub (https://www.ingenioushub.com)
---

Creative and PR

# Bleed

Bleed is the extra margin of artwork that runs past the trim edge of a printed piece, usually about 3 mm, so no white edge shows when the paper is cut. Backgrounds and images that reach the edge need it.

## In practice

What it means when you are the one making the decision.

Keep important text and logos inside a safe area, a few millimetres in from the trim, so the cut cannot clip them. Bleed and safe area are the two margins every print file needs.

Printers state their own bleed and file requirements, so ask before you finish the artwork and request a proof before the full run.

### Example

A menu card with a coloured background is made with 3 mm of colour beyond the trim line, and its text sits 6 mm inside it.

## Keep going

Related terms

- [Art direction](https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary/art-direction)
- [Lockup](https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary/lockup)
- [Colour palette](https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary/colour-palette)
- [All terms](https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary)

Where we use it

- [Print size calculator](https://www.ingenioushub.com/tools/print-size-calculator)
- [Creative and content](https://www.ingenioushub.com/services/creative)
- [Seen in our work: MasterChef Rajasthan, A regional flagship made cinematic.](https://www.ingenioushub.com/work/masterchef-rajasthan)

## Want this applied to your brand? Let’s talk.

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[See starting prices](https://www.ingenioushub.com/pricing) [Free brand audit](https://www.ingenioushub.com/brand-audit)

Source: https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary/bleed