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NikChan
Participating Frequently
January 12, 2023
Answered

Vertical Banner - Safe Zone Printer Requirement

  • January 12, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 1089 views

Hi, 

I am designing a vertical retractable banner. The printer stated the size needs to be 33 x 79.5 in. with .75 safe area. When I create my document, do I add 0.75 as the bleed equal on all sides?

 

My concern is the original mock-up for the design has a lot of elements - a logo at the top inside of a white banner across the top and text below that aligns horizontally that falls close to the right and left edges. I want to ensure the logo is placed in the safe area, but I don't want to expand the white banner across the top. 

I hope someone understands what I am trying to communicate. I have tried to get a resolution from the printer, but no help yet. I appreciate any help. 

nik

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Randy Hagan

I believe your printer is talking about exactly the opposite of bleed here.

 

Generally when a printer talks about "safe area", it means that the printer doesn't want you to put critical design or text information within, in this case, three-quarters of an inch, inside the final banner trim size. That way, nothing of importance is accidentally cut off if the final trim is slightly off from your final specification.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Randy

1 reply

Randy Hagan
Community Expert
Randy HaganCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
January 12, 2023

I believe your printer is talking about exactly the opposite of bleed here.

 

Generally when a printer talks about "safe area", it means that the printer doesn't want you to put critical design or text information within, in this case, three-quarters of an inch, inside the final banner trim size. That way, nothing of importance is accidentally cut off if the final trim is slightly off from your final specification.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Randy

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    NikChanAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    January 12, 2023

    Yes it does help. I was confused on their definition of the safe area. So, if I am setting up a document in illustrator, how would I make sure that I have captured those marks at .75in?  

     

    When creating the new document, I would enter 33 in width and 79.5 height. I would decrease the dpi to 150ppi because this is a large print format to reduce the size. I use CMYK color. What should I enter for bleed and margins etc?

    Randy Hagan
    Community Expert
    Randy HaganCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 12, 2023

    If it was me, what I'd do is:

     

    • Set up a 33 inch by 79.5 inch artboard within Illustrator.
    • If your rulers aren't immediately visible when the artboard is created, use the View>Rulers>Show Rulers menu command so you could access your Ruler Guides.
    • Place Ruler Guides three-quarters of an inch inside all four edges of the art board to define the safe area (also known as the live area)
    • Design your banner as you normally would, making sure that anything important to the banner is placed inside the ruler guides defining the live area.
    • One more note: If you want to have printing go all the way to the edges of your banner, then you would set an additional three-quarters of an inch outside the artboard to define your bleed area.

     

    You can count on that bleed area being cut into, but that's OK because if your respect the margins you set within the Ruler Guides, nothing important is going to be cut off from your final product.

     

    Good luck with your banner job,

     

    Randy

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