What Is Bleed?

Bleed is the extra artwork area that extends beyond the final trim size of the card.

Why bleed is required:

• Cards are cut from large sheets

• Minor movement during cutting is normal

• Bleed prevents white edges after trimming

Best practice:

• Extend all background colours, images, and patterns fully into the bleed area

Anything that touches the edge of the card must extend into bleed.

What Is the Safe Zone?

The safe zone is the area inside the trim edge where important content must stay.

Keep within the safe zone:

• Text

• Icons

• Indices

• Borders

Content placed too close to the edge risks being cut off or appearing misaligned.

Generous safe zones are especially important for text-heavy cards.

Resolution (DPI)

All print files must be prepared at 300 DPI at final print size.

Why this matters:

• Lower resolution results in blurry or pixelated prints

• Large cards reveal quality issues more clearly

Scaling up low-resolution files after design does not improve quality.

Colour Mode

All files must be supplied in CMYK colour mode.

Important notes:

• RGB colours can shift when converted to CMYK

• Bright screen colours may appear duller in print

Designing in CMYK from the start helps avoid surprises.

What Is Bleed?

Bleed is the extra artwork area that extends beyond the final trim size of the card.

Why bleed is required:

• Cards are cut from large sheets

• Minor movement during cutting is normal

• Bleed prevents white edges after trimming

Best practice:

• Extend all background colours, images, and patterns fully into the bleed area

Anything that touches the edge of the card must extend into bleed.

What Is the Safe Zone?

The safe zone is the area inside the trim edge where important content must stay.

Keep within the safe zone:

• Text

• Icons

• Indices

• Borders

Content placed too close to the edge risks being cut off or appearing misaligned.

Generous safe zones are especially important for text-heavy cards.

Resolution (DPI)

All print files must be prepared at 300 DPI at final print size.

Why this matters:

• Lower resolution results in blurry or pixelated prints

• Large cards reveal quality issues more clearly

Scaling up low-resolution files after design does not improve quality.

Colour Mode

All files must be supplied in CMYK colour mode.

Important notes:

• RGB colours can shift when converted to CMYK

• Bright screen colours may appear duller in print

Designing in CMYK from the start helps avoid surprises.

What Is Bleed?

Bleed is the extra artwork area that extends beyond the final trim size of the card.

Why bleed is required:

• Cards are cut from large sheets

• Minor movement during cutting is normal

• Bleed prevents white edges after trimming

Best practice:

• Extend all background colours, images, and patterns fully into the bleed area

Anything that touches the edge of the card must extend into bleed.

What Is the Safe Zone?

The safe zone is the area inside the trim edge where important content must stay.

Keep within the safe zone:

• Text

• Icons

• Indices

• Borders

Content placed too close to the edge risks being cut off or appearing misaligned.

Generous safe zones are especially important for text-heavy cards.

Resolution (DPI)

All print files must be prepared at 300 DPI at final print size.

Why this matters:

• Lower resolution results in blurry or pixelated prints

• Large cards reveal quality issues more clearly

Scaling up low-resolution files after design does not improve quality.

Colour Mode

All files must be supplied in CMYK colour mode.

Important notes:

• RGB colours can shift when converted to CMYK

• Bright screen colours may appear duller in print

Designing in CMYK from the start helps avoid surprises.

The most frequent issues we see include:

• No bleed included

• Text or icons placed too close to trim edges

• Files supplied in RGB instead of CMYK

• Low-resolution images

• Inconsistent card sizes across a deck

• Incorrect orientation for card backs

These issues can delay production or require file revisions.

If submitted files do not meet print requirements:

• We may request corrected files before printing

• Production timelines may be delayed

• Additional design or setup fees may apply

Correct files upfront save time, cost, and frustration.

The most frequent issues we see include:

• No bleed included

• Text or icons placed too close to trim edges

• Files supplied in RGB instead of CMYK

• Low-resolution images

• Inconsistent card sizes across a deck

• Incorrect orientation for card backs

These issues can delay production or require file revisions.

If submitted files do not meet print requirements:

• We may request corrected files before printing

• Production timelines may be delayed

• Additional design or setup fees may apply

Correct files upfront save time, cost, and frustration.

The most frequent issues we see include:

• No bleed included

• Text or icons placed too close to trim edges

• Files supplied in RGB instead of CMYK

• Low-resolution images

• Inconsistent card sizes across a deck

• Incorrect orientation for card backs

These issues can delay production or require file revisions.

If submitted files do not meet print requirements:

• We may request corrected files before printing

• Production timelines may be delayed

• Additional design or setup fees may apply

Correct files upfront save time, cost, and frustration.

Why Proofs Matter

A proof is your opportunity to review how your cards will print before full production.

Proofs help you check:

• Text size and readability

• Colour accuracy

• Alignment and margins

• Overall look and feel

What Proofs Can and Cannot Show

Proofs are designed to:

• Represent layout and content accurately

• Reveal technical issues

They may not perfectly match:

• Final colour saturation

• Paper feel or finish (unless specified)

Proofs should be reviewed carefully and approved before printing proceeds.

Before approving your files:

• Bleed is included on all sides

• All text and critical elements are inside the safe zone

• Files are 300 DPI and CMYK

• Card fronts and backs are correctly oriented

• You have reviewed and approved your proof

Why Proofs Matter

A proof is your opportunity to review how your cards will print before full production.

Proofs help you check:

• Text size and readability

• Colour accuracy

• Alignment and margins

• Overall look and feel

What Proofs Can and Cannot Show

Proofs are designed to:

• Represent layout and content accurately

• Reveal technical issues

They may not perfectly match:

• Final colour saturation

• Paper feel or finish (unless specified)

Proofs should be reviewed carefully and approved before printing proceeds.

Before approving your files:

• Bleed is included on all sides

• All text and critical elements are inside the safe zone

• Files are 300 DPI and CMYK

• Card fronts and backs are correctly oriented

• You have reviewed and approved your proof

Why Proofs Matter

A proof is your opportunity to review how your cards will print before full production.

Proofs help you check:

• Text size and readability

• Colour accuracy

• Alignment and margins

• Overall look and feel

What Proofs Can and Cannot Show

Proofs are designed to:

• Represent layout and content accurately

• Reveal technical issues

They may not perfectly match:

• Final colour saturation

• Paper feel or finish (unless specified)

Proofs should be reviewed carefully and approved before printing proceeds.

Before approving your files:

• Bleed is included on all sides

• All text and critical elements are inside the safe zone

• Files are 300 DPI and CMYK

• Card fronts and backs are correctly oriented

• You have reviewed and approved your proof