How to Set Up Bleed for Full-Bleed Custom Stickers

What exactly is "bleed," a term we hear so often in printing? This article will guide you through the functions of bleed and how to create it in an easy-to-understand way.

What is Print Bleed? Why Do We Need It?

"Bleed" refers to extending full-bleed design elements like backgrounds or base colors slightly beyond the die-cut line. This prevents uneven white edges or accidental cut-offs of critical content due to slight mechanical cutting shifts during the printing process.

It might sound a bit technical, but to put it simply: if certain designs don't have bleed setup, inevitable mechanical cutting errors will result in the following disasters:

If cut directly along the edges without bleed, mechanical cutting shifts will easily cause irregular white borders around the sticker, and critical content might get cut off.

Generally speaking, StickerHD can help you handle bleed production, but there are situations where we cannot do it for you, such as with "photos" or "designs with complex backgrounds."

Scenarios where StickerHD CAN Help You Create Bleed: Full-Bleed Solid Color Borders

If your artwork consists of a full-bleed solid color block or a solid border, StickerHD will automatically extend the bleed border outward for you to achieve a flawless finished product.

For full-bleed solid color blocks, StickerHD can create bleed for you.

For solid color borders, StickerHD can create bleed for you.

Scenarios where StickerHD CANNOT Help You Create Bleed: Photos and Complex Backgrounds

If reserving bleed is not an option, we recommend adding an "outward white border" or a border of another color. We suggest making this border larger than 1.5mm so that any minor cutting errors won't be noticeable. If you prefer not to have a colored border, we highly recommend opting for Transparent Stickers—that way, your borders will be perfectly clear!

If the sticker has a complex background, you must pre-allocate the area to be cut off during the design phase.

If you use a photo to make stickers, the outer edges will also be trimmed off, so you need to reserve extra space.

What Should I Do If I Can't Reserve Space for Bleed?

If reserving bleed is not an option, we recommend adding an "outward white border" or a border of another color. We suggest making this border larger than 1.5mm so that any minor cutting errors won't be noticeable. If you prefer not to have a colored border, we highly recommend opting for Transparent Stickers—that way, your borders will be perfectly clear!

Recommended workarounds when bleed cannot be created.

Conclusion

By now, everyone should have a clear understanding of what bleed is. When done right, it yields fantastic results!

Below is an example of a full-bleed Washi Sticker Sheet. If you want to make a full-bleed Sticker Sheet, remember to set up bleed for every single pattern on the sheet!