Print bleed calculator
Enter the trim size and bleed to see the full canvas and the safe area. Use it before you set up a print file, or to check a spec a customer sent you.
Print size
A common print bleed is 3 mm or 0.125 in per side, but the printer's spec always wins. The safe margin is where text and key content should stay inside the trim.
Canvas with bleed: 216 × 303 mm
Safe area: 200 × 287 mm
Trim, bleed and safe area
The trim size is the finished piece. The bleed is extra artwork outside the trim. The safe area is the zone inside the trim where text and key content should stay. A file that respects all three is much less likely to come back with white edges or clipped copy.
For background reading, see the article on bleed in printing and the entry on crop marks.
Use the printer's numbers
Common bleed is 3 mm or 0.125 in per side, but this is a convention, not a law. Packaging, booklets and large-format jobs can use different values. Always check the print shop's spec before setting up the file.
Calculator is not a file check
This tool tells you the size. It does not tell you whether the artwork is print-ready. For fonts, resolution, colour and paths, use the print-ready artwork service or the vector conversion service.
Common questions
What is print bleed?+
Bleed is the extra artwork beyond the finished trim size. It gives the printer room to cut without leaving a white edge. A common value is 3 mm or 0.125 in per side, but the printer's spec decides.
What is the safe area?+
The safe area is the zone inside the trim where text and important content should stay. Anything outside it risks being too close to the edge or getting cut.
Is bleed the same as crop marks?+
No. Bleed is extra artwork; crop marks are guide lines outside the trim that show where to cut. A production file usually needs both, plus the printer's page size and colour settings.
Can I use this calculator for large-format work?+
The math is the same, but large-format shops may use different bleed and overlap requirements. Check their specification before sending the file.
Want someone to check the actual file?
Upload the artwork and the printer's requirements. We check the file and return it with a delivery note.