[EN] Set Bleedbox correctly

What is a BleedBox?

The BleedBox is a box in a PDF defined by two coordinate pairs that specify the bleed area. It includes everything that will be printed plus the bleed. This means the BleedBox is always at least as large as the TrimBox (final format frame). In layouts without bleed, it is the same size as the TrimBox; in layouts with bleed, it is larger.

Bleed is important for elements that extend to the edge of the page (full-bleed images or graphics) to prevent unwanted white edges after trimming. It acts as a safety margin (“trim safety”) and is ideally not visible in the final printed product.

The additional area around the final format should be filled with image content for all elements that extend to the edge (outer edge or binding).

For many print products, a bleed of 1 to 3 mm on all sides is required. Due to production requirements, magazines typically require a minimum bleed of 3 to 5 mm.

Beispiel: Die Vorgaben für  das Anzeigenformat (Endformat) einer 1/1-Seite sei 200 x 280mm. Die Vorgabe für den Anschnitt (Links, Rechts, Oben, Unten) ist 5 mm / 5mm / 5mm 5mm.

Example

Specification for a full-page ad:

• Final format (trim size): 200 × 280 mm

• Bleed: 5 mm on all sides

Document setup:

• Page size (final format / trim size): 200 × 280 mm

• TrimBox: 200 × 280 mm

Bleed settings:

• 5 mm on all sides

Resulting BleedBox size:

• 210 × 290 mm

BleedBox / Bleed Settings in InDesign

You can define the bleed directly when creating a new document.
Go to File > New > Document... and enter the values under “Bleed and Slug”.
In a facing-pages document, the values for “right” and “left” are labeled “inside” and “outside”.

Changing Bleed Afterwards

You can also change the bleed later.
Go to File > Document Setup to adjust the bleed area afterwards.

Adjusting Bleed Automatically

For an existing document with a finished layout, you can often adjust the bleed automatically afterwards without modifying the design or placement of elements.
To do this, go to File > Adjust Layout.
You can also access the same dialog via the Document Setup dialog using the “Adjust Layout...” button.

The advantage of this method is that you do not need to redraw or rescale graphic frames and their contents.

Pay Attention to PDF Export Settings

For PDF export, you only need to apply the selected settings by enabling the option:
“Use Document Bleed Settings” under “Marks and Bleeds”.
(Alternatively, you can define different values here than in the document settings. However, this only makes sense if the content has been adjusted accordingly.)

Print marks are not required in the DUON portal. You can safely omit them, as they provide no advantage. All necessary information is already included in the PDF file when using PDF/X.

If you still want to use marks, make sure that they do not extend into the effective bleed area.
To do this, set the “Offset” value to the same or a higher value than the largest bleed setting from the values “left”, “right”, “top”, or “bottom”.