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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nI\u2019ve recently begun printing all of the scrapbook pages I\u2019ve already created for my grandchildren. I do have a printer of my own that will print 12\u201d x 12\u201d but it\u2019s not efficient or economical for bulk printing. To give you an idea of bulk\u2026I\u2019ve recently printed close to 200 pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trust me, I\u2019d probably still be printing if I was doing it myself. And I don\u2019t even want to think about how many ink cartridges I\u2019d have gone through. I don\u2019t mind printing layouts in a piece-meal fashion. But I do try not to print pages that are either \u201cgraphically\u201d intense or have lots of extremely dark sections\/colors. Those will drain ink cartridges in a flash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I print my pages here at home, I can manage the \u201cprint area\u201d myself so I don\u2019t lose any important text. When using a printing service, things are very different. They control the print area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a lot of printing options for us digital scrapbookers. I use Persnickety Prints<\/a><\/strong>. You can find information on some other printing services on my \u201cResources<\/a><\/strong>\u201d page. And you need to know what their recommendations are for managing \u201cbleed\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> The above layout is one I created a few years ago when I wasn\u2019t truly aware of just how careful I needed to be. For more details about this layout, you can find it in my 2020 Personal Gallery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the top of this post, I gave a short answer\u2026bleed is printing to the edge of the paper with no margins (no white edges).<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s really more to it than just the \u201cbleed\u201d. When designing for full bleed, the design must have \u201cbleed\u201d \u201ctrim\u201d and \u201csafe zone\u201d margins.<\/p>\n\n\n Bleed, trim and safe zone are terms within the printing industry that relate to the tolerance levels that must be allowed for. Even the most sophisticated equipment has a variance when printed media is cut to size and shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that\u2019s where things get a bit fuzzy (no pun intended \ud83d\ude09). In general bleed & trim have to do with cutting. I\u2019d like to think that most printing services for digital images (scrapbook layouts included) are using paper already cut to size. Just as I do at home. But we all know what happens when we assume, right?!?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regardless, if you\u2019re planning to print a photo book vs. individual pages it will be extremely important for you to understand these terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The \u201cbleed\u201d is the area of the design that will be trimmed off when your artwork is cut to its final size. All elements of your design that extend past the \u2018trim\u2019 are said to \u201cbleed\u201d off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bleed\u2019s purpose is to make sure your design reaches past the finished \u201ctrim\u201d by 3mm on all edges so that you don\u2019t see any unsightly white edges on your final product. This would also come into play when binding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The \u201ctrim\u201d is where the guillotine is set to cut the paper, vinyl or other material, the bleed and safe zones are to allow for any variation. The bleed is the outer limit and whatever background color you have should go past this to avoid any white or other unprinted color to show. Again, a consideration when binding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The \u201csafe zone\u201d is the area inside the trim that will be kept clear from guillotine blades, so text or sensitive information should be kept within this area. Anything falling outside the \u201csafe zone\u201d may result in design elements being cut off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Confused? You\u2019re not alone. This all makes it sound like we need to be creating layouts bigger than our standard 12\u201d x 12\u201d (or whichever size you use) right? Yikes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t panic yet. But I can tell you this, if you look at that cute layout of my grandkids \u201cbaking\u201d you can see how my journaling is very close to the bottom of the page. Guess what? The very bottom of the letters on the last line were ever so slightly trimmed when this page was printed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And I also have a habit of including the date the layout was actually created somewhere on the page. Generally, very near the bottom and usually blended in so you can hardly notice it. Well, on some of the other pages I printed\u2026that was cut off. Not a big deal but it certainly made me think about all the lovely page edges I use on layouts!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Years & years ago, Wendy Zine created these lovely overlays to address this very problem. She (and all of her products) have since retired. Good news, Vicki Robinson Designs<\/a><\/strong> has been given permission to continue selling Wendy\u2019s overlays<\/a><\/strong> and you can find them in Vicki’s shop at Oscraps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These overlays couldn’t be easier to use! Simply open your 12×12 layered file and then drag the overlay for the printer or book size you want on top of your layout. You’ll instantly see where your page will trim and what will be in the safe zone. Resize or reposition your photos and journaling if needed. Then, delete the overlay. When you upload your final image to your printing service, their software will resize the page for you! It really is THAT<\/em> easy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are 25 PNG overlays in a variety of sizes each set to correct margins for multiple printing services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s an example of a generic 12\u201d x 12\u201d overlay included in the set.<\/p>\n\n\n I do want to make you aware that this set of overlays may not seem inexpensive. In my opinion, it\u2019s well worth the price to ensure all of the important stuff on my scrapbook pages will show up when they are printed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That doesn\u2019t mean you couldn\u2019t come up with a \u201csafe zone\u201d on your own. But it would likely be complete guess work. There are various \u201ctypical\u201d measurements out there for bleed, trim & safe zones and I\u2019m certain it can vary based on the printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One generic recommendation is to use a safe zone that is anywhere from 1\/8\u201d \u2013 1\/4″ on each side of your layout to ensure all the \u201cgood stuff\u201d gets printed. I don\u2019t know about you but I\u2019m not sure I want to risk guessing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disclaimer:<\/strong> I am in no way being compensated for telling you about these overlays. These are just a great tool that I wanted to share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at the two layouts above. Look at what could happen if we don\u2019t pay attention to the bleed, trim & safe zone margins. Are you willing to take that risk?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re planning on creating a photo book, you almost certainly need to be aware of these margins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can\u2019t\/don\u2019t want to use the overlays I described. PLEASE do some research on what margins are required by your chosen printing service. Then make the necessary adjustments to your layout(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should also be cognizant of these margins if you plan to frame a printed layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As usual, if you have any questions or need a bit of help, please don\u2019t hesitate to \u201cMessage Me<\/a><\/strong>\u201d for some assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks for reading this week\u2019s Tuesday Tip. <\/em>If you want to stay informed about next week\u2019s post, just click \u201cFollow Me<\/a><\/strong>\u201d to get an update. I hope you have a wonderful week!<\/p>\n\n\nSo What Exactly Is Bleed?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBleed<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Trim<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Safe Zone<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
And The Solution Is\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSome Important Tips About \u201cBleed\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n
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