- Begin by creating a new document with the correct size and settings.
- Design your document, considering the bleed area.
- Next, go to File > Download and choose PDF Print as the format.
- In the “Bleed and Crop Marks” section, toggle on “Crop marks” and “Bleed.”
- Enter 3mm for the bleed value.
- Download the PDF file.
What is a Print Ready File?
A print ready PDF is a file format specifically designed to ensure that your design looks precisely as intended when printed. This means all necessary elements, such as images, text, and graphics, are embedded within the file, and it is correctly formatted for printing.
Essential components of a print ready PDF include bleed and trim marks. Bleed refers to extending the design beyond the edges of the page to ensure that there are no white borders or unprinted areas after trimming. On the other hand, trim marks indicate where the paper should be cut to achieve the final size of the printed piece.
Typically, the standard bleed size is 3mm, but it may vary depending on the size of the document artboard. Trim marks are usually placed on the corners of the design, showing where the final cut should be made.
Instructions for adding bleed and trim marks using different software
For Canva:
For Photoshop:
For Adobe Illustrator:
For Adobe InDesign:
For Microsoft Publisher:
For CorelDRAW:
For Canva:
For Photoshop:
- Open your Photoshop document and go to Image > Canvas Size.
- In the Canvas Size dialog box, increase the width and height of the canvas by 6mm (or the desired bleed size) to include the bleed area. Make sure the anchor is set to the center to add bleed equally on all sides.
- In the same dialog box, ensure the “Relative” box is checked, and input the final size of your document (excluding the bleed) in the “Width” and “Height” fields. This will set the final size of your document after the bleed area is trimmed.
- Click OK to apply the changes.
- Add trim marks manually by creating lines at the corners of your document using the Line tool. Alternatively, you can create a custom brush to quickly add the trim marks.
- Save your file as a PDF by going to File > Save As and choosing “Photoshop PDF” from the Format dropdown.
- In the “Save Adobe PDF” dialog box, select the “Marks and Bleed” option from the left sidebar. Check the “Trim Marks” checkbox and enter the desired offset value.
- Under “Bleed and Slug,” check the “Use Document Bleed Settings” checkbox and enter the desired bleed value (3mm, for example).
- Click “Save PDF” to create a print-ready PDF file with bleed and trim marks.
For Adobe Illustrator:
- Create a new document with the correct size and settings.
- Draw your design, keeping the bleed area in mind.
- Go to File > Save As and choose Adobe PDF as the format.
- In the Marks and Bleeds section, select “Trim Marks” and “Use Document Bleed Settings.”
- Enter 3mm for the bleed value.
- Save the PDF file.
For Adobe InDesign:
- Create a new document with the correct size and settings.
- Go to File > Document Setup, and enter 3mm for the bleed value.
- Design your document, keeping the bleed area in mind.
- Then, go to File > Export and choose Adobe PDF (Print) as the format.
- In the Marks and Bleeds section, select “Crop marks” and “Use Document Bleed Settings.”
- Finally, export the PDF file.
For Microsoft Publisher:
- Open your Publisher document and go to the “Page Design” tab.
- Click on the “Size” dropdown menu and select “More Page Sizes” at the bottom of the list.
- In the “Page Setup” dialog box, input the desired width and height of your final printed piece (excluding the bleed area) in the “Width” and “Height” fields.
- Under “Page Options,” enter the desired bleed size (3mm, for example) in the “Bleed” fields.
- Click “OK” to apply the changes.
- Add trim marks by going to the “Insert” tab and selecting “Shapes” from the “Illustrations” section. Choose the “Line” shape and draw a line at each corner of the document to indicate where the final cut should be made.
- Save your file as a PDF by going to “File” > “Export” > “Create PDF/XPS Document.”
- In the “Publish as PDF or XPS” dialog box, click on the “Options” button.
- Under the “PDF Options” section, check the “ISO 19593-1 compliant (PDF/X)” checkbox.
- Under the “PDF/X Options” section, select “PDF/X-1a:2001” from the “Standard” dropdown menu.
- Under the “Color” section, choose “CMYK” as the color model.
- Under the “Bleed and Crop Marks” section, check the “Use Document Bleed Settings” and “Crop Marks” checkboxes.
- Click “OK” to close the options window and click “Publish” to create a print-ready PDF file with bleed and trim marks.
For CorelDRAW:
- Open your CorelDRAW document and go to “Layout” > “Page Setup.”
- In the “Page Setup” dialog box, input the desired width and height of your final printed piece (excluding the bleed area) in the “Width” and “Height” fields.
- Under “Margins,” enter the desired bleed size (3mm, for example) in the “Top,” “Bottom,” “Left,” and “Right” fields.
- Click “OK” to apply the changes.
- Add trim marks by going to the “View” menu and selecting “Guidelines” > “Add Guideline.”
- Draw a guideline at each corner of the document to indicate where the final cut should be made.
- Save your file as a PDF by going to “File” > “Publish To PDF.”
- In the “Publish to PDF” dialog box, select the desired PDF preset from the “Preset” dropdown menu.
- Under “Marks and Bleeds,” check the “Crop Marks” checkbox and enter the desired offset value.
- Under “Marks and Bleeds,” check the “Include Bleed” checkbox and enter the desired bleed value (3mm, for example).
- Click “Publish” to create a print-ready PDF file with bleed and trim marks.