How to Printer Marks & Bleeds to Adobe InDesign Files

How to Add Printer Marks & Bleeds to Adobe InDesign Files

Printers are unable to print to the edge of the page; this creates an unwanted white margin around your document. To avoid this issue, you need to add a bleed to each print document you design.

Bleeds extend colors and elements past the edge of your document, so that it can be printed and trimmed down to size with no unwanted white margin around the edges.

This video will go over how to add and export bleeds to InDesign files.

HELPFUL TIPS:
  1. View Design Templates:
    https://www.printing.utah.edu/templates/
  2. The only way the bleed values autofill the other boxes is if the locking chain icon is selected to the right of the bleed section. If the chain icon is not clicked you will need to enter the values in manually in each area (top, bottom, left, right).
  3. To turn on or off the bleed area in the document go to:
    - Menu bar > View > Grids & Guides > Show/Hide GuidesYou need to be in "Normal View Mode" to see the bleeds. To get to "Normal View Mode", go to:
    - Menu bar > View > Screen Mode > Normal
WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS:

University Print & Mail Services requires that each document has a 0.125in bleed. That is the standard bleed for every print job including posters, mailers, business cards, etc.

HOW TO ADD A BLEED TO A NEW Adobe InDesign DOCUMENT.
  1. To create a document with bleeds, open InDesign and click
    File > New > Document
  2. Then click on the “Bleed and Slug” dropdown menu.
  3. To add a bleed, go to the “Bleed” section and click on the arrow under the section titled “Top” until you see “0.125 in”
    • Adjusting the bleed under one section will auto-populate the rest.
  4. Click “Create”

The art board has been created. You’ll be able to tell that a bleed has been added to your document by seeing the red line around the document.

Make sure any colors or pictures meant to go to the page’s edge, extend past the edge to the red bleed line. Doing so will ensure there is no unwanted white space when printing.

HOW TO ADD A BLEED TO AN EXISTING ADOBE INDESIGN DOCUMENT
  1. Open the document.
  2. Click: File > Document setup
  3. Click on “Bleed and Slug”
    • In the first box next to “Bleed” type in 0.125 then hit “tab” on your keyboard. The other boxes will auto-populate.
  4. Click “OK”

The red line around your document shows the bleed has been added. Adjust your document’s elements to go up to the red line if needed.

HOW TO EXPORT AN INDESIGN FILE WITH BLEEDS

To export an InDesign file with bleeds, you need to create and export a PDF.

  1. To do so, go to: File > Export
  2. Type the file’s name and select where it should be saved to.
  3. Make sure the “Format” is set to “Adobe PDF (Print)”
  4. Click “Save”
  5. Click on “Marks and Bleeds” in the side menu
  6. Under the “Marks” section, only click “Crop Marks”
  7. Under the “Bleed and Slug” section click the box next to “Use Document Bleed Settings”
  8. Click “Export”

 

That’s it! Now you can email the PDF to your Project Coordinator for printing.

 

FOR QUESTIONS, CALL 801-581-6171
UPRINT@UTAH.EDU
PRINTING.UTAH.EDU