How to calculate bleed and safe area
Add the left and right bleed to the finished width, and add the top and bottom bleed to the finished height. Subtract the corresponding safe margins from each trim dimension. Extend backgrounds through the bleed and keep important text inside the safe area.
A4 example
An A4 page is 210 × 297 mm. With 3 mm bleed on every edge, the artwork is 216 × 303 mm. With 5 mm safe margins on every edge, the safe area is 200 × 287 mm. At 300 pixels per inch the minimum full artwork size is 2,552 × 3,579 pixels, rounded up.
Measurement units and precision
Changing between millimetres and inches keeps the original measurements for calculations. The converted input display is rounded to eight decimal places. Editing a field replaces that field’s original measurement with the displayed value. A ⅛ inch bleed is exactly 3.175 mm, so it is different from a 3 mm bleed.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 mm bleed right for every printer?
No. Print providers and products can have different specifications. Enter the values supplied for your job.
Do these pixel dimensions make my file print ready?
No. Resolution is one factor. Check image quality, color, fonts, file format and other requirements with your printer.
Are my values uploaded?
No. The calculation runs in your browser and this tool does not ask you to upload artwork.