How to put bleeds on GIMP files

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If you do not know what bleeds are, then visit our bleeds page, have a read of it, and the information below will make much more sense.

  

GIMP and Photoshop are really for photographic software packages, so they are not designed for designing brochures,business cards and whatever. This means that you will need to 'force' GIMP to accommodate bleeds, and this 'forcing' needs to be done when you create your file.

So, first, open a new file by choosing: "File" > "New".

  

You will then be presented with a screen similar to the below image.

Set up the measurement-units that are to be used (see the top right red arrow above). TheOnlinePrinter uses mretric measurements, so use "millimeters'.

Then set up the sixe of the file (top left arrow above). This is  the area that GIMP needs to be 'forced'. Simply put: you must make the file 6mm larger that the normal size. Our on=screen example is for a business card, and the size of a finished business card is 90mm x 55mm, so the size must be increased by 6mm to 96mm x 61mm. Other standard sizes that must be increased include:

  • A3 — normally 420 x 297mm, but increase to 426 x 303mm;
  • A4 — normally 297 x 210mm, but increase to 303 x 216mm;
  • A5 — normally 210 x 148mm, but increase to 216 x 154mm;
  • A6 — normally 148 x 105mm, but increase to 154 x 111mm;
  • A7 — normally 105 x 74mm, but increase to 111 x 80mm;
  • DL — normally 210 x 99mm, but increase to 216 x 105mm;

 

GIMP only offers the RGB colour mode, and this might cause a problem if exact colours are vital, and you are using some blues, reds or oranges. If exact shades of colour is vital to your project, then do not use GIMP.

Once the set-up box details are filled in correctly, press "OK".

 

You will then be taken to a scren similar to the below image.

  

You now need to place your bleed lines upon the GIMP file. All bleed lines are placed 3mm from each edge of the file. To place the horizontal bleed lines on the GIMP file you:

  • Place your mouse over the top ruler;
  • Hold down the mouse; and
  • 'Drag' the mouse down to the place where you want them (i.e.: the top bleed line is 3mm from the top edge of the file, and the bottom bleed line is 3mm from the bottom edge of the GIMP file).

You then repeat the process for the vertical bleed lines; that is, you:

  • Place your mouse over the left-hand ruler;
  • Hold down the mouse; and
  • 'Drag' the mouse accross to the place where you want them (i.e.: the left bleed line is 3mm from the left edge of the file, and the right bleed line is 3mm from the right edge of the GIMP file).

These simple steps are graphically shown in the below image.

  

Lastly, you repeat the same steps for the safety margin lines. However, the safety margin lines should be AT LEAST 8mm from the edge of the file. For projects that are gbigger than business cards, the safety margin line should be AT LEAST 10mm from the edge of the GIMP file.

  

Your file is now ready to have the artwork added.

When you are working on your project, please make sure that:

  • All background colours go right to the edge of the GIMP file; and
  • All important text and images are kept inside the safety margin lines.

  

The image below is of a finished business card. What you will notice are:

  • All the background colours go to the very edge of the file.
  • The card, once it has been printed, will be trimmed at the bleed lines.
  • All the important text and images have been kept inside the safety margin lines.