Final check before I get my art printed. Understanding bleed?

[Dekieon]

My art for the control panel and marquee is almost done, but before I send it to ship, there are a couple things I would like to know for sure so I don't get something unexpected back.  I am using illustrator.

Here is a scenario..

1) If I created a 10" x 10" image and sent it to get printed, it would be 10" x 10", but there would be a possibility that there might be a edge of while around one or more of the edges because I didn't set up bleed, and the printer printed it slightly too small. correct?

2) So when you setup a bleed, lets say the same 10" x 10" image, with a 1 inch bleed all the way around it. Would I get back a 10" x10" image with no possibility of a white edge, or would I get back  12" x 12" image, that I just cut off the excess image?

I am planning on ordering from gameongrafix.com.

[Felsir]

I am not sure what gameongrafix prefers in terms of bleeds. But in general it is good to have bleeds around your artwork (it is better to get a 12x12" and cut it yourself than having 10x10" with whites around- at least in my opinion).

In illustrator you have the option to add bleed marks. Set up the 12x12" document, select the 10x10" area and select "crop->make" this should add the cropping lines for the printer. I don't have illustrator with me at the moment but IIRC there is an option for that. You might do a google for setting up bleed in illustrator and see what comes up.

To be certain contact the printer and ask them what they prefer, that's the best way to be certain.

[SlammedNiss]

First, a 1" bleed is a but much. Of course it depends on the size of our prints, but we typically set up a 1/8" bleed.

So, say you want the end product to be 10"x10" and you send them a 10.25"x10.25" graphic. You just need to specify that it already has a 1/8" bleed built into the graphic, so when they go to contour cut it, they can properly set the cut file up as -1/8". Unless their equipment is way uncalibrated, you shouldn't end up with any white around the edges.

[Dekieon]

I am confused about the answers.

So in my example...

I would end up with a 12" x 12" document, that  I would need to cut to the correct size?

or

I would still end up with a 10" x10" document?

[dfmaverick]

It'd be best for you to inquire directly from gameongrafix.

If I am having something printed in a 10" x 10" size with bleeds from an illustrator file, I would:

1) Set my document size to 10" x 10"
2) Extend artwork 1/8" beyond the document on all sides. (1/8" is typical for bleeds, but check with printer for their requirements.) Therefore, the total art size is 10-1/4" x 10-1/4".
3) Order 10" x 10" and if comments are available, mention that artwork contains 1/8" bleeds off all sides.

If you just want to be safe and not worry about the printer, then just add an extra 1/2" - 1" to all sides, order an 11" x 11" or 12" x 12" and cut the excess off yourself. This may also work out better in that depending on usage, you can position the art where you need it without worrying if it is slightly off center.


Pretty much what SlammedNiss said.

[SlammedNiss]

I am confused about the answers.

So in my example...

I would end up with a 12" x 12" document, that  I would need to cut to the correct size?

or

I would still end up with a 10" x10" document?

That depends on how they finish-cut your vinyl. I think dfmaverick's explained it a little better than I was able to. If you'd like me to preview your artwork, I'd be more than happy to help.

[Dekieon]

Those sizes I listed were just an example and I made it 1" bleed, and a 10"x10" just to keep it simple. The real size, 28.5" x 11.5" with 1/8" bleed on all sizes., but I figured by supplying the real sizes that it would make the question more confusing.

Truth is I have heard that gameofgrafix rarely replies to emails, but the work they do is top notch. So I figured that I wouldn't bother with emailing them, and just come here instead and ask those who have dealt with them before.

So basically what I am understanding, is to just forget about bleed all together, and just set actual document size to be a 1/4" larger in both the horizontal and vertical?

[PL1]

In the attached diagram, the red represents the desired art and the black represents bleed.

When you tell the printer the dimensions, do you give the dimensions of the red area or the black area?
-- I assume the correct answer is black.   

If you give them the dimensions of the red area, would they resize like on the right?



To avoid the confusion, would it be wise to add a note like this?

The art is 3" x 5", the bleed is 1/2", and the total printed size is 4" x 6".

Scott

[SlammedNiss]

Those sizes I listed were just an example and I made it 1" bleed, and a 10"x10" just to keep it simple. The real size, 28.5" x 11.5" with 1/8" bleed on all sizes., but I figured by supplying the real sizes that it would make the question more confusing.

Truth is I have heard that gameofgrafix rarely replies to emails, but the work they do is top notch. So I figured that I wouldn't bother with emailing them, and just come here instead and ask those who have dealt with them before.

So basically what I am understanding, is to just forget about bleed all together, and just set actual document size to be a 1/4" larger in both the horizontal and vertical?

If you're just getting a rectangle cut, just give them the proper size you want with whatever bleed built in, and square it off with a straight-edge when you get it at home. If it were side-art, I'd say otherwise. But in this situation, I'd say it's the easiest solution.

[PL1]

If you're just getting a rectangle cut

Dude . . . Major league reading comprehension fail. 

He is asking the same questions I asked above:
 -- Red or black dimensions? In other words, art or (art + bleed) dimensions?
 -- Will the printers resize -- causing it to not fit properly -- if you give the wrong measurements?

His rectangle example, like my diagram, is simplified because trying to use specific measurements for sideart on a cabinet with curved/tapered sides is far more likely to cause confusion.


Scott

[SlammedNiss]

Dude . . . Major league reading comprehension fail. 

He is asking the same questions I asked above:
 -- Red or black dimensions? In other words, art or (art + bleed) dimensions?
 -- Will the printers resize -- causing it to not fit properly -- if you give the wrong measurements?

His rectangle example, like my diagram, is simplified because trying to use specific measurements for sideart on a cabinet with curved/tapered sides is far more likely to cause confusion.


Scott

I don't see where I failed? I thought my answer was pretty straight forward. Turn in the finished artwork and tell them to print it as it is in the file. Don't tell them you have a bleed worked into the artwork unless you want to cause confusion (this thread is the perfect example.) When you get it, cut it to the desired size. Seems easy enough, doesn't it?

And quite honestly, it all depends who is sitting behind that computer screen sending the graphic to the printer. When I send things to the printer, I prefer to be given finished artwork and what, if any, bleed needs to be cut off. Otherwise, I'll just cut it to whatever the graphic is already sized to.

[PL1]

SlammedNiss: Thanks for the clarification -- much easier to follow than the earlier post. 

TL;DR version:  When creating the file, size the page to the "black area" dimensions.  Give the printer the "black area" dimensions + don't mention bleed unless you want them to trim it smaller.

Sounds like a plan.


Scott

[rikitiki]

"Bleed" can mean different things .
and its always best to contact whoever is doing the printing for their recommendation.

 are you just wanting extra "bleed" as to allow you extra wiggle room for installation?
if thats the case youd want to size that accordingly to how much overage you actually want to work with
then add the follwing...
typically art should almost ALWAYS have a bleed (Id recommend 1/8") for printer trimming
So for example if you want the piece cut to size at lets say its a cpo 12"x24" your outside dimensions should be 12 1/8" x 24 1/8"
this does not mean you simply enlarge the graphic over all to that larger dimension
just the art that goes to the edge.

For things like Sideart that are cut to a specific shape and the art/colors go to the edge of the cut line
again the art should extend pass the "cutline" aprox 1/8"-1/4" to allow for a slight margin of shifting in the plotter cut.