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How to define a bleed margin

Learn how to define a bleed margin on a template and require end-users to cover it with an image layer before adding the design to the cart.

Updated over a month ago

This article covers following topics:

  • How to define a bleed margin on a template and require end-users to cover it with an image.

  • How to define a safety zone and assign text layers to it, ensuring they are never accidentally trimmed from the design.

How to define a bleed margin on a template and require end-users to cover it with an image

1. The dimensions of the template should contain the bleed margin. e.g. if your template is an a5 card of 210 x 148 mm and the required bleed margin is 3 mm. The dimensions of the template should be: 216 x 154 mm (3 mm extra on each side).

2. Add a picture layer and configure the size requirement to show an error if it does not completely fill the entire view. By configuring this you make sure that the end-user is required to completely fill the bleed margin before adding the design to the cart.

Steps:

  • Add a picture or artwork layer.

  • Edit the layer.

  • Go to the Size section.

  • Set Size requirement to: Show an error if it does not fill Entire view.

How to define a safety zone and assign text layers to it, ensuring they are never accidentally trimmed from the design

Unlike the previous step where an image should cover the bleed margin completely. For text this is the opposite. We don't want text to be accidentally cut from the design.

In order to achieve this we should create an area which we call the safety zone. The x and y position of this area is equal to the bleed margin. Safely away from the edges that may be trimmed.

Steps:

  • Edit a template in Printlane Studio.

  • Go to the section areas.

  • Click add area.

    • Name: Safety zone.

    • X / Y: Your bleed margin.

    • Width / height: Dimensions of the template minus the bleed margin.

When adding a text layer you should limit the visibility of this layer to the safety zone area. This way the end-user will see visually that the text will not be visible on the design.

Steps:

  • Edit a template in Printlane Studio.

  • Go to step preview.

  • Edit a text layer.

  • Go to the section position.

  • Set Limit visibility to Safety zone.

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