Artwork Bleed & Safe Zone

Artwork Bleed & Safe Zone Guidelines

To ensure your trading cards print correctly without white edges or cut-off artwork, your file must include proper bleed and safe zones.

What Is Bleed?

Bleed is the area that extends beyond the final cut size of your card. Bleed helps prevent ugly white edges when printing and cutting. All background colors, photos, and patterns must extend into the bleed area so they reach the edge after trimming. 

Bleed Requirement:
Extend background 0.125" (1/8 inch) beyond each side.

What Is the Trim Line?

The Trim Line is where the card will be cut to its final size.

Final Card Size:
2.5" × 3.5"

Anything placed directly on the trim line risks being cut off.

What Is the Safe Zone?

Safe Zone is the inner area where all important content should stay.

Keep inside safe zone:

Text
Logos
Player Name
Numbers
Faces
Important graphics

Safe Zone Margin:
Keep critical elements 0.0625" (1/16 inch) inside the trim line.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Background stops at trim line
❌ Text too close to edge
❌ No bleed added
❌ Important elements outside safe zone

Before Uploading, Please Confirm:

✔ Background extends into bleed
✔ Text/logos inside safe zone
✔ File is CMYK
✔ Front and back both corrected