📐 What is Bleed?

Bleed is like giving your design a safety border. It's extra space around the edges that makes sure your colours go right to the edge when we cut your printing.

Here's how it works:

Bleed Area (3mm extra)
Safe Area
Where we cut

Why Do I Need Bleed?

When we cut your printed materials, our cutting machine might be slightly off by a tiny amount. Without bleed, you could get thin white lines around the edges. With bleed, your colours extend past where we cut, so everything looks perfect!

💡 Bleed Made Simple:

  • We need 3mm extra on all sides that touch the edge
  • Make your backgrounds bigger - stretch them into the bleed area
  • Don't put text in the bleed - keep it in the safe area
  • We can add white bleed if your design doesn't need it

📥 Download Our Picture Guide

Get the Visual Guide (PDF)

Print this out and keep it next to your computer!

🛡️ What is the Safe Area?

The safe area is where you put all your important stuff. It's like a safety zone inside your design where nothing will get accidentally cut off.

What Goes in the Safe Area?

  • All your text - titles, descriptions, your contact details
  • Your logo - make sure it's fully visible
  • Phone numbers and addresses - super important information
  • QR codes - they won't work if they're cut in half!

💡 Safe Area Made Simple:

  • Keep text 3mm from edges - that's about the width of 2 coins
  • 5mm is even safer - especially for really important text
  • Check business cards carefully - it's easy to put text too close
  • Give logos space to breathe - don't squash them to the edge

🎯 Image Quality (DPI)

DPI means "Dots Per Inch" - it's how sharp your pictures will be when printed. Think of it like the quality setting on your camera - higher = sharper!

📄 Small Items (Business Cards, Leaflets)

Need: 300 DPI
These are held close to your face, so they need to be really sharp and clear.

📊 Big Items (Posters, Banners)

Need: 150 DPI
People look at these from far away, so they don't need to be as sharp.

🏢 Outdoor Banners

Need: 75-150 DPI
These are viewed from even further away, and files stay a manageable size.

💡 Image Quality Made Simple:

  • Higher DPI = bigger files - but much better quality
  • Pictures from websites are usually too low quality for printing
  • Logo files from programs like Illustrator can be any size
  • Our maximum file size is 200MB - let us know if yours is bigger

🌈 Colours: CMYK vs RGB

CMYK is for printing, RGB is for computer screens. This is super important to understand!

🖨️ CMYK (Printing Colours)

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
This is how printers make colours by mixing these 4 inks. All printed stuff uses CMYK.

💻 RGB (Screen Colours)

Red, Green, Blue
This is how TVs and computer screens make colours using light.

Why Do Colours Look Different?

RGB can make brighter, more vivid colours than CMYK - especially bright greens and blues. When we change RGB to CMYK, some colours might look a bit duller. We'll automatically convert RGB files, but the colours might change slightly.

💡 Colours Made Simple:

  • Use CMYK from the start to see exactly how colours will print
  • Really bright neon colours can't be printed normally
  • Black text should be pure black - not mixed with other colours
  • We check all colours as part of our quality check

📁 File Types We Accept

Different file types work better for different jobs. Here's what we can use:

✅ Our Favourites:

PDF JPEG

PDF is the best! It keeps fonts, colours, and layouts exactly right. JPEG is great for photos and simple designs.

✅ These Work Too:

TIFF AI (Illustrator) PSD (Photoshop)

❌ We Can't Use These:

PNG Pages (Mac) Publisher SVG GIF HTML

💡 File Types Made Simple:

  • Save as PDF from Word, PowerPoint, or any design program
  • Include fonts when saving so text doesn't change
  • Save JPEG at best quality to keep pictures sharp
  • Not sure how to convert? Just ask - we're happy to help!

💾 How to Save Perfect PDFs

PDF is the best file type for printing! Here's how to save PDFs from different programs so they print perfectly:

🎨 Adobe InDesign (Professional Design)

  1. Click File → Export
  2. Choose Adobe PDF (Print)
  3. Select Press Quality from the dropdown
  4. In Marks and Bleeds section:
    • Check "Use Document Bleed Settings"
    • Check "Crop Marks" if you want cutting guides
  5. In Output section: Choose "No Color Conversion"
  6. Click Export

🎨 Adobe Illustrator (Logos & Graphics)

  1. Click File → Save As
  2. Choose Adobe PDF
  3. Select Press Quality preset
  4. In Marks and Bleeds:
    • Set bleed to 3mm all around
    • Check "Use Document Bleed Settings"
  5. Click Save PDF

📷 Adobe Photoshop (Photos)

  1. Make sure your image is 300 DPI
  2. Add 3mm border if needed (Image → Canvas Size)
  3. Click File → Save As
  4. Choose Photoshop PDF
  5. Select Press Quality preset
  6. Make sure colour mode is CMYK
  7. Click Save PDF

🎨 Canva (Online Design)

  1. Click the Download button
  2. Choose PDF Print (needs premium account)
  3. Select Professional quality
  4. Click Download

Note: Canva can't add proper bleed. For professional printing, you might need to recreate your design in proper design software.

📄 Microsoft Word

  1. Click File → Export → Create PDF/XPS
  2. Choose Standard (publishing online and printing)
  3. Click Options button
  4. Check "Document structure tags for accessibility"
  5. Click OK then Publish

📊 Microsoft PowerPoint

  1. Click File → Export → Create PDF/XPS
  2. Choose Standard quality
  3. Click Options
  4. Under "Publish what" choose your slides
  5. Click OK then Publish

🎨 CorelDRAW

  1. Click File → Publish to PDF
  2. Choose PDF for Print preset
  3. In Prepress tab: Set bleed to 3mm
  4. In Color tab: Choose "No color correction"
  5. Click OK

🎨 Figma (Online Design)

  1. Select your design (click on the frame)
  2. In the right panel, find Export
  3. Click the + button
  4. Choose PDF format
  5. Set scale to 1x or higher
  6. Click Export

Note: Figma is designed for websites and apps. For printing, make sure all images are high quality.

💡 PDF Saving Made Simple:

  • Always choose "Press Quality" or "Print Quality" when you see the option
  • Make sure fonts are embedded so text doesn't change
  • Include bleed if your design goes to the edge
  • Save at 300 DPI for small items like business cards
  • Check your PDF opens properly before sending it to us

📏 Common Paper Sizes

Getting the size right is super important! Here are the most popular sizes we print:

Business Cards

📄 Without Bleed

85mm x 55mm
Final size after cutting - standard UK business card

📄 With Bleed

91mm x 61mm
Size for artwork with 3mm bleed all around

Standard A Sizes

📃 A7 (Small Cards/Tags)

Without bleed: 74mm x 105mm
With bleed: 80mm x 111mm

📃 A6 (Postcards)

Without bleed: 105mm x 148mm
With bleed: 111mm x 154mm

📃 A5 (Leaflets)

Without bleed: 148mm x 210mm
With bleed: 154mm x 216mm

📊 A4 (Documents)

Without bleed: 210mm x 297mm
With bleed: 216mm x 303mm

📊 A3 (Small Posters)

Without bleed: 297mm x 420mm
With bleed: 303mm x 426mm

📊 A2 (Medium Posters)

Without bleed: 420mm x 594mm
With bleed: 426mm x 600mm

📊 A1 (Large Posters)

Without bleed: 594mm x 841mm
With bleed: 600mm x 847mm

📊 A0 (Extra Large Posters)

Without bleed: 841mm x 1189mm
With bleed: 847mm x 1195mm

Large Format & Banners

🏢 Roller Banner (Standard)

Without bleed: 800mm x 2000mm
With bleed: 850mm x 2000mm
Note: Only add bleed to the width, not height

Portrait vs Landscape

Portrait = Tall (like a portrait painting) - height is bigger than width
Landscape = Wide (like a landscape photo) - width is bigger than height

💡 Size & Orientation Quick Tips:

  • Check your orientation matches what you ordered
  • Custom sizes available - just ask for a quote
  • Folded items need specific layouts - we'll guide you
  • Unsure about sizing? Send us your file and we'll check

🔧 Common Technical Problems

Here are the most common problems we see and how to avoid them:

⚠️ 80% of Artwork Needs Adjustments

Most customers send artwork that isn't quite print-ready. Don't worry - this is completely normal! We check every file and will let you know if anything needs adjusting.

📝 Text Too Small

Text smaller than 8pt can be difficult to read when printed. If your text looks tiny on screen, it'll be even smaller on paper.

👻 Transparency Problems

Transparent elements can cause colour shifts or printing issues. We'll flatten transparencies before printing to ensure consistent results.

🔤 Missing Fonts

If you use unusual fonts, embed them in your PDF or they might be substituted with different fonts.

📷 Low Resolution Images

Images that look fine on screen might print blurry if they're under 300 DPI for small format printing.

📐 Incorrect Bleed or Safe Area

The most common issue we see! Many designs don't have proper bleed or have important text too close to the edges.

🌈 Wrong Colour Mode

Files in RGB colour mode can print differently than expected. CMYK is best for printing.

💡 How We Help Fix These Problems:

  • Free 30-point quality check catches these issues before printing
  • We'll contact you if anything needs fixing
  • Professional setup service available for complex fixes
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee - we'll reprint if anything's wrong

✅ Final Checklist Before Sending Files

Use this checklist to make sure your artwork is perfect before sending it to us:

✅ Print-Ready Checklist

  • File includes 3mm bleed on all sides that go to the edge
  • All text and important elements are 4-5mm from trim edge (safe area)
  • Resolution is 300 DPI for business cards, leaflets, and small items
  • Colour mode is CMYK for offset printing (not RGB)
  • All fonts are embedded in PDF or text is outlined
  • File is saved as PDF with Press Quality settings
  • File size is reasonable (under 200MB preferred)
  • No PNG images - converted to JPEG or included in PDF
  • Transparency is flattened to avoid printing issues
  • PDF opens correctly and displays as expected
  • Dimensions match your order (with bleed if applicable)
  • Orientation is correct (portrait vs landscape)

❌ Common Problems That Cause Delays

  • No bleed area - Results in white edges after trimming
  • Text too close to edge - Important content gets cut off
  • Low resolution images - Photos appear pixelated and blurry
  • RGB color mode - Colors shift when converted to CMYK
  • Missing or substituted fonts - Text changes appearance
  • Wrong file format - PNG, Word docs, PowerPoint files
  • Incorrect dimensions - Doesn't match ordered size
  • Transparency issues - Unexpected color shifts or white boxes

🎉 All Checked? You're Ready!

If you can tick all the boxes above, your artwork should print perfectly!

Send Your Artwork Now

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? Here are the answers to what most customers ask us:

📤 How do I send you my artwork?

We have several easy ways for you to get your files to us! Visit our Upload Artwork page for detailed instructions on using WeTransfer, Transfer Now, or emailing directly to hello@nowprint.co.uk

📄 What paper types and finishes do you offer?

We offer loads of options! Check out our comprehensive Paper Types & Finishes page with images and details about silk paper, lamination, foiling, spot UV, and much more.

🚚 How much is delivery and how long does it take?

We offer free delivery to many local areas! Check our Delivery Information page for full details on delivery areas, times, and costs.

💳 How can I pay for my order?

We accept all major payment methods including cards, PayPal, bank transfer, and more. See all options on our Payment Methods page.

❓ I have other questions not covered here

No problem! Check our full FAQ page for more answers, or contact us directly - we're always happy to help!

🔧 My artwork isn't print-ready - can you fix it?

Absolutely! 80% of artwork needs some adjustments - it's totally normal. We offer a professional setup service (often free for minor fixes, £10-£15 for more complex work). Just send us what you have and we'll let you know what's needed.

📱 Can I use my phone photos for printing?

Phone photos can work, but they need to be high resolution (300 DPI) for small items like business cards. For larger items like posters, lower resolution is okay. Send us your photo and we'll check if it's suitable!

⏰ How long will my printing take?

Most jobs are completed within 24-48 hours once we have print-ready artwork. Rush jobs can often be done same-day. Check our full FAQ for specific turnaround times.

💰 Do you offer discounts for large orders?

Yes! We offer quantity discounts on most products. The more you order, the better the price per item. Contact us for a quote on large orders - we're always competitive!

🎨 I designed in Canva - will it print okay?

Canva designs can print, but they often need adjustments because Canva doesn't support proper bleed settings. We can usually fix these issues for you, or guide you on how to improve your Canva design for printing.

🤔 Still Have Questions?

We're here to help! Don't worry about asking - no question is too simple or too complex.

🛠️ Artwork Setup Service

Don't have time to fix your artwork? We can do it for you!

We understand that not everyone is a design expert, and different software programs can be confusing. If your artwork needs adjustments to make it print-ready, we offer a professional setup service.

🆓 Sometimes Free

Minor adjustments
Simple fixes like adding bleed or adjusting margins - we often do these at no charge.

💷 £10-£15 Service Fee

Professional setup
More complex adjustments like resizing, colour correction, or layout fixes.

What's Included in Our Setup Service:

  • Adding proper bleed and safe area margins
  • Colour profile conversion from RGB to CMYK
  • Resolution enhancement where possible
  • Font embedding to prevent substitution
  • Size and orientation corrections
  • File format conversion to print-ready PDF

💡 How It Works:

  1. Send us your artwork - any format you have
  2. We'll review it as part of our free quality check
  3. If adjustments are needed, we'll let you know the cost (if any)
  4. You approve the work and we fix everything
  5. We send you a proof to confirm it's perfect
  6. We print your job to perfection!

💡 Artwork Setup Quick Tips:

  • Always ask first - we'll give you a quote before doing any paid work
  • Minor fixes often free - we're happy to help when we can
  • Send your best file - higher quality input = better results
  • Tell us your software - we can give specific advice for your program