The Role of Bleed in Packaging:
In packaging design, ensuring that the artwork extends seamlessly to the edges without leaving any undesired gaps is crucial. This is where the concept of ‘bleed’ comes into play. Essentially, the bleed ensures that the final printed product looks polished, professional, and free of any unintended white lines or borders.
Delineating the Dieline:
The dieline serves as the guide indicating where the package will be cut. Typically represented in a pink or reddish color, it is the boundary separating the main design from the bleed area. The artwork must stretch beyond this dieline to ensure there’s no risk of unintended edges in the final cut product.
The Need for Extending the Bleed:
- Avoiding Manipulation: By extending the artwork just beyond the dieline, designers can minimize the need for manipulating the artwork to fit. Manipulating or stretching a design, especially ones at unique angles, can distort its intended appearance.
- Preventing Gaps: If the artwork doesn’t extend to or slightly beyond the dieline, there’s a chance of slight gaps appearing in the final print. These gaps might manifest as thin white lines. While they might sound negligible, they can be quite noticeable and detracting on the final product.
Bleed Dimensions:
The bleed should extend past the dieline by a minimum of an eighth of an inch, which translates to 0.125 inches. It’s unnecessary to overextend, as doing so can be redundant and may not yield any additional benefits. Just a little extension ensures the final product’s consistency and accuracy.
The Eye Mark and Its Role:
The black rectangle often present on design files is termed the ‘eye mark.’ The purpose of the eye mark is to guide the cutting machinery during production. Anything that bleeds must surpass this mark by the aforementioned eighth of an inch.
Should the design not come with an eye mark, it is typically added during the prepress process. This addition ensures that the finished product neither has its design inadvertently cut nor showcases an undesirable white gap at its top.
Conclusion:
Bleed plays a pivotal role in packaging design, ensuring that the final product appears consistent, polished, and free of unintentional borders. For brands aiming for a professional look, it’s essential to adhere to bleed guidelines. Doing so not only simplifies the printing process but also guarantees a product that resonates with quality and precision.
