Learn what bleed is, why it stops white edges on custom stickers, and exactly how much to add (3mm) with a worked example.
What is bleed and why do I need it?
Bleed is the part of your artwork that extends past the edge of the label. This is usually the background of your artwork, and it gets trimmed off during printing.
Why do we have bleed?
We have bleed to make sure your labels have no white edges. This ensures the print is right to the edge of the label if there's any slight natural movement when printing - cutting is a physical, mechanical process, and even a fraction of a millimetre of movement is completely normal.
How much should I add?
We require the background of your artwork to extend at least 3mm past the edge of the label to make up its bleed.
How do I set it up?
Most design tools have the option to input your bleed when starting a new project. Other programs, such as Photoshop, don't have this feature built in, so you'll need to make your artwork 3mm larger on each side manually.
Example: if your label size is 50mm x 50mm, set your artwork up to 56mm x 56mm (3mm on each side).
What happens if I don't include bleed?
White edges can appear around the trimmed sticker, and we may need to contact you before printing, which can delay your order. If you're ever unsure, don't worry - we always check your artwork before printing and let you know if anything needs adjusting.
Quick summary
- Bleed is the extra artwork beyond the trim edge - we require at least 3mm
- It prevents white edges caused by normal trimming tolerance
- Backgrounds and images should extend fully into the bleed area
