Beschnittkanten

Beschnittkanten, also known as bleed, refers to an area of printed material that extends beyond the intended trim edge of a page. This extra area is intentionally included during the design and layout process to ensure that printed images or background colors extend all the way to the edge of the final trimmed piece, even if there are slight variations in the cutting process. Without bleed, a small unprinted white border could appear along the edges of a finished product if the trim is not perfectly accurate.

The purpose of beschnittkanten is to prevent "white edges" or "dollar bills" from appearing on the final printed product. These unwanted white spaces can detract from the professional appearance of business cards, brochures, flyers, and other printed materials. When designing for print, designers typically extend any background elements or images that are meant to go to the edge of the page 3mm or more beyond the final trim line. This ensures that when the excess is trimmed off, the intended design is intact and reaches the very edge.

The exact amount of bleed required can vary depending on the printer's specifications and the type of printing job. It is crucial for designers to consult with their print provider to understand their specific bleed requirements. Printers use specialized cutting equipment to trim the excess bleed area accurately, resulting in a clean, professional finish. Failure to include sufficient bleed can lead to an unprofessional final product, even if the design itself is impeccable. Therefore, understanding and properly implementing beschnittkanten is a fundamental aspect of professional graphic design for print.