When setting up your print files, it’s important to ensure you have the correct file size and include a bleed if necessary. Below, we will cover what you need to know about bleeds and no bleeds, along with the proper dimensions for print files for our flat cards, shape cards, folded cards, envelope liners, invitation bands, and vellum wraps.
Understanding Bleed vs. No Bleed in Printing
When setting up a design for printing, understanding “bleed” and “no bleed” is essential to achieving a professional, polished final product.
What Does Bleed Mean?
Bleed refers to the extra portion of your design that extends beyond the final trim size of your printed piece. This extra area (1/8 inch on each side) is trimmed off during the cutting process to ensure that your design reaches the edge of the paper without any unintended white borders. Bleed is crucial for designs that include background colors, images, or patterns that go all the way to the edge.
What Does No Bleed Mean?
No bleed means that all important design elements stay within the final dimensions of the printed piece, with a safe 1/4-inch margin from the edges. This setup is typically used when a design has a white border or does not extend beyond the trim line.
Why Do We Need A Bleed?
Slight shifting may occur during the printing and cutting processes. Without the added bleed, this shifting may cause unintended blank spaces around the edges of your cards after trimming. By extending your design beyond the final trim size, you ensure full coverage, eliminating any risk of unwanted borders.
No Bleed versus Bleed File Size Requirements
Depending on whether your design requires a bleed, you will need to adjust your file dimensions accordingly:
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- No Bleed: Set up your file to the exact final size of your printed piece.
- With Bleed: Create your file 1/4 inch (.25″) larger in both width and height than the final trim size.
By understanding and properly setting up your files for bleed, you can ensure a clean, professional print job every time!
File Size Requirements for Printing
Setting up your design files correctly is the key to a flawless print! Whether you’re submitting artwork for printing or creating your own DIY stationery, using the right file dimensions ensures crisp, professional results. Below, you’ll find LCI Paper’s file size requirements, including dimensions for designs with and without bleed.
To make the process even easier, we offer free downloadable templates tailored to our products—so you can set up your files with confidence and bring your vision to life.
Sizing Key
| 1/2 = 0.5 | 1/4 – 0.25 | 3/4 – 0.75 | 1/8 = 0.125 | 3/8 = 0.375 | 5/8 = 0.625 | 7/8 = 0.875 |
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Flat Cards: Print Dimensions
| Size | No Bleed Measurements | Bleed Measurements |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 3 1/2 x 4 7/8 | 3 3/4 x 5 1/8 |
| A2 | 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 | 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 |
| A6 | 4 1/2 x 6 1/4 | 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 |
| Pocket Insert | 4 7/8 x 6 7/8 | 5 1/8 x 7 1/8 |
| A7 | 5 1/8 x 7 | 5 3/8 x 7 1/4 |
| A7.5 | 5 3/8 x 7 1/4 | 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 |
| A9 | 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 | 5 3/4 x 8 3/4 |
| Slim | 4 x 9 1/4 | 4 1/4 x 9 1/2 |
| Business | 2 x 3 1/2 | 2 1/4 x 3 3/4 |
| 3 Inch Square | 3 x 3 | 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 |
| 5 Inch Square | 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 | 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 |
| 6 Inch Square | 6 1/4 x 6 1/4 | 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 |
Shape Cards: Print Dimensions
| Size | No Bleed Measurements | Bleed Measurements |
|---|---|---|
| A2 Arch | 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 | 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 |
| A2 Double Arch | 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 | 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 |
| A2 Half Arch | 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 | 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 |
| A2 Full Wave | 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 | 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 |
| A2 Side Wave | 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 | 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 |
| A2 Oval | 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 | 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 |
| A7 Arch | 5 x 7 | 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 |
| A7 Double Arch | 5 x 7 | 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 |
| A7 Half Arch | 5 x 7 | 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 |
| A7 Full Wave | 5 x 7 | 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 |
| A7 Side Wave | 5 x 7 | 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 |
| A7 Oval | 5 x 7 | 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 |
| 3 Inch Circle | 3 x 3 | 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 |
| 5 Inch Circle | 5 x 5 | 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 |
| 8 Inch Circle | 8 x 8 | 8 1/4 x 8 1/4 |
Folded Cards: Print Dimensions
| Size | No Bleed Measurements | Bleed Measurements |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 3 1/2 x 4 7/8 | 3 3/4 x 5 1/8 |
| A2 | 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 | 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 |
| A6 | 4 1/2 x 6 1/4 | 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 |
| A7 | 4 7/8 x 6 7/8 | 5 1/8 x 7 1/8 |
| A9 | 5 1/8 x 7 | 5 3/8 x 7 1/4 |
| Place Card (4 1/2 x 2 1/2) | 4 1/2 x 5 | 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 |
| 3×3 Place Card | 3 x 6 | 3 1/4 x 6 1/4 |
| 5 Inch Square | 5 1/4 x 10 1/2 | 5 1/2 x 10 3/4 |
| 6 Inch Square | 6 1/4 x 12 1/2 | 6 1/2 x 12 3/4 |
Envelope Liners: Print Dimensions
| Size | No Bleed Measurements | Bleed Measurements |
|---|---|---|
| A1 (Euro) | 4 1/2 x 6 | 4 3/4 x 6 1/4 |
| A2 (Euro) | 4 3/4 x 7 1/2 | 5 x 7 3/4 |
| A6 (Euro) | 5 5/8 x 7 7/8 | 5 7/8 x 8 1/8 |
| A7 (Euro) | 6 1/2 x 9 | 6 3/4 x 9 1/4 |
| A7.5 (Euro) | 6 3/4 x 9 1/2 | 7 x 9 3/4 |
| A9 (Euro) | 7 1/2 x 10 | 7 3/4 x 10 1/4 |
| A2 (Straight) | 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 | 4 3/4 x 5 3/4 |
| A7 (Straight) | 6 x 6 3/4 | 6 1/4 x 7 |
Invitation Bands & Vellum Wraps: Print Dimensions
| Size | No Bleed Measurements | Bleed Measurements |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Inch Invitation Band | 12 x 1 1/2 | 12 1/4 x 1 3/4 |
| 14 Inch Invitation Band | 14 x 1 1/2 | 14 1/4 x 1 3/4 |
| A2 Vellum Wrap | 9 1/2 x 5 1/2 | 9 3/4 x 5 3/4 |
| A7 Vellum Wrap | 11 x 7 | 11 1/4 x 7 1/4 |
| A9 Vellum Wrap | 12 x 8 1/2 | 12 1/4 x 8 3/4 |
Need Custom Size Cards?
Take advantage of LCI Paper’s cutting and scoring services to order custom sizes not listed on our website. We’ll help ensure your design is printed and cut precisely to your needs.
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