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Bigman45
Participant
May 30, 2019
Question

Can you add slugs in Illustrator?

  • May 30, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 11505 views

I'm familiar with adding slugs in Indesign but I'd like to be able to add them in Illustrator files as well.

If it's possible, how do I accomplish it?

    4 replies

    Krishna.Kumar
    Krishna.Kumar
    Participant
    April 13, 2026

    I think, as the slug is unavailable, just place the information out of the bleed area as shown in the screenshot and while exporting, set the bleed to cover the info whatever outside the bleed. (I use a document bleed size of 5mm and in export I set the bleed to 10mm).

     

    tenkelly
    tenkelly
    Participating Frequently
    April 10, 2026

    I vote for this feature!

    Ten Kelly Designs
    Anubhav M
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    April 10, 2026

    Hello ​@tenkelly 

     

    I understand that this functionality is important to you, and I apologize for its unavailability at this time. Would you mind creating a UserVoice for this feature request (https://illustrator.uservoice.com/) and adding your comments there? Doing this will help us prioritize this request, and you will be notified of any updates.
     
    Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need assistance. We'd be happy to help.
     
    Thanks,
    Anubhav

    K
    Kash29037475i3s9
    Participant
    August 16, 2023

    Since there is no official way what I usually do is just create a shape that is the width of the slug I need, and copy that shape so it is on all sides of the artboard. Group these shapes together and lower the opacity to 80% and lock that layer. Name the layer SLUG. When you go to export or save out the art just simply turn off the SLUG layer.

      S
      SJRiegel
      Legend
      May 30, 2019

      Illustrator does not currently have this ability. You can add bleed, but it is limited to one inch. 

      Possible workarounds are 1) making a separate artboard that contains the original one or 2) Just make the whole artboard large enough to contain the art and the slug info, and have a dieline in an overprinting spot color to define the live art area.

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