As someone who works with printing materials or designs, you have probably come across the term "print dimensions" before. But what exactly does this term mean? In simple terms, it refers to the physical dimensions of a printed piece. However, understanding print dimensions involves knowing more than just the dimensions themselves. In this post, we will explore the key elements of print dimensions: bleed, trim size, margins, resolution, and color mode.
The term "bleed" refers to an element of a design that extends beyond the trim size of a printed piece. The purpose of a bleed is to ensure that there are no unwanted borders or white spaces on the final product. The amount of bleed required will depend on the type of design and printing process used.
The trim size is the final size that a printed piece will be cut down to. This includes any white space or margins left between individual pieces on a larger sheet. It is important to determine the trim size early in the design process to avoid any unexpected cropping or cutting during printing.
Margins refer to the amount of space between the edge of a printed piece and any text or images on it. They are typically used to create a clear separation between different elements on a page and make it easier for readers to follow along. Margins can also help account for any trimming or cutting during printing.
Resolution refers to how many pixels there are per inch (PPI) in an image. The higher the resolution, the more detailed and clearer an image will appear when printed. It is important to ensure that images used in print materials have a high enough resolution (usually 300 PPI) to avoid pixelation or blurring.
Color mode refers to the way colors are represented in an image. The most common color modes used for printing are CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and key/black) and RGB (red, green, and blue). CMYK is typically used for printed materials as it can accurately represent a wider range of colors.
Bleed refers to any elements that extend beyond the final trim size of a printed piece. The trim size is the final size that a piece will be cut down to.
The amount of bleed required will depend on the printing process used. Typically, designers will include between 1/8 to 1/4 inches of bleed in their designs.
The size of margins will depend on the design of the piece and its intended purpose. However, most designers recommend using margins between 0.5 to 1 inch for readability purposes.
While RGB can be used for printing materials, it is not recommended as it can result in inaccurate color representation. CMYK is typically used for printed materials as it can accurately represent a wider range of colors.
Images used in print materials should have a resolution of at least 300 PPI to avoid pixelation or blurring when printed.
The trim size will depend on the intended purpose and format of the piece being designed. For example, business cards typically have a trim size of 3.5 x 2 inches, while brochures can vary between 8.5 x 5.5 inches and 11 x 17 inches.
While adjustments can be made after a design has been completed, it is best to determine and set the dimensions early in the design process to avoid any unexpected cropping or cutting during printing.
