Sizing Your Print File
Need a file size that is not listed, Contact Us and let us know the details.
How to Properly Size Your Print File
Print files need to be properly sized to ensure a proper fit for all elements of your design. Here are some important terms to know. You will see these terms on 🌿Print Product Template Files available for your information and download.
WHAT IS TRIM SIZE?
The Trim Size is the same as the finished size of your printed document.
➡️Trim Size for a 5 x 7 inch card = 5 x 7 inches
WHAT IS BLEED?
When your design prints to the very edge of the finished product, it will require "bleed". Bleed is the area of your design that extends .125 inches on all four sides of the trimmed size, which adds .25 inches to the width and height of your print file size.
WITH BLEED:
File dimensions are .25 inches greater than the trim size.
➡️5 x 7 inch document with bleed = 5.25 x 7.25 inches
An important note that adding bleed does not mean stretching your file to fit the extra space needed, as this will merely stretch your design and may still result in design elements being cut off. Bleed is a deliberate addition or extension of elements in your design that allows the print to extend up to the very edge of your document.
SAFE ZONE:
Safe zone resides within the cut line or trim size, and is .125 inches smaller than the trim size on all four sides of your document, or .25 inches smaller in width and length of the trim size. Text and images inside the safe zone will be printed on the final document. Items outside the safe zone may be trimmed off.
➡️Safe Zone for a 5 x 7 inch document = 4.75 x 6.75 inches
DESIGN BORDERS:
- Solid borders - borders that extend to the end of the trimmed edge - must be placed from inside the safe zone to the outside of bleed area to assure evenness.
➡️Solid Borders on the edge of a design must be designed with full bleed
- Borders placed inside the safe zone that are not meant to extend to the trimmed edge should print as designed.
TOLERANCE:
We utilize state-of-the-art digital printing presses and precision electronic cutters / creasers for most print jobs.
- Industry standard tolerances for printing range from ±0.010 to ±0.020 inches, but allow up to ±0.03125 inches (±0.8 mm).
- Registration and trimming tolerances may be slightly looser due to the nature of digital presses and mechanical equipment.