What is bleed in book printing?

In the printing industry, "bleed" refers to the area in a design or image that extends beyond the edge or "trim line" of the final printed page. When your book incorporates design elements reaching the page's edge, it is crucial to include bleed.

During the printing and binding processes, pages are trimmed to the specified trim size. Despite using precise equipment, there's a slight possibility of paper shifting. Including bleed into your file eliminates the risk of "flashing" (an uneven white border on the trimmed page) and ensures a polished and professional appearance for your finished books.

When setting up your document with bleed, extend elements beyond the trim line. OnPress mandates 1/8th of an inch (.125 in.) of bleed for interiors, softcovers, and dust jackets, and 5/8th of an inch (.625 in.) for hardcovers. For optimal results, it's recommended to address the lack of bleed in your layout file. However, if you encounter difficulties in rectifying this, we may be able to help.

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