How to set Bleed Marks for Business Cards in InDesign

[Katherine25238449muqx]

Hi, I'd like to print these business cards with Vista Print, and I'd like to put some extra room on the edges where the picture extends so that there is no white space.  I think this is called bleed marks.  The bleed marks look good in InDesign, but then when I PDF-print them -- no matter what settings I choose! -- they do not indicate where the bleed is.  I've attached pictures of how it looks in InDesign (which I think I can send to Vista Print for them to make, cutting off the extra picture) and what it PDF-prints like -- which makes it seem as if all the extra picture is part of what I want in the card!  I hope this makes sense.....  Thank you!  Katherine

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[kglad]

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from using the community">

[Willi Adelberger]

Bleed marks show the extended area, trimm marks indicate the final size. 

[Katherine25238449muqx]

Thank you for this definition.  Would you know what settings I should print with in InDesign in order to make it best for the printer (so that there won't be any white lines if they cut it wrong)?  In other words, what settings do I use in InDesign so that it looks like the screen shot I took of how it looks in InDesign when it prints?  Thank you!

[Frans v.d. Geest]

When you add bleed (extend the image outside the page size) in the InDesign document, you need to add that in the PDF as well: in the export settings of the PDF dialog look at the bleed value, it may say 0 even if it is 5 in the document and you extended the image 5 mm over the edge of the page (you still have to do so yourself). So also make it 5 mm in the PDF export setting.

[Katherine25238449muqx]

Thank you so much, I apprecaite your comments a lot, but would you please tell me what settings I should print with in InDesign in order to make it best for the printer (so that there won't be any white lines if they cut it wrong)?  In other words, what settings do I use in InDesign so that it looks like the screen shot I took of how it looks in InDesign when it prints?  Thank you!

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Services like Vista Print typically do not use trim or bleed marks, and will reject jobs that contain them. You typically must submit a layout (PDF) of a precise size that is usually the print size plus a nominally 1/8" bleed (so a business card layout would be 2-1/4 x 3-3/4). It's simply part of the technical process for the service to impose that layout on their print master and cut it down centered on the print size to produce 2x3.5 with bleed printing.

It's critical to read print services' design guides and follow technical aspects like this to the jot. Anything else, and the largely automated process with either reject the job or return unexpected results. (That is, these services are not like your local SpeedyPrint, where a press guy will RIP and print the cards and then more or less manually cut them down. It's press-sheet, gang-run, automated printing.)

ETA: Vista, being a service for secretaries and home crafters, is maddeningly long on fancy options and short on useful information. However, I eventually found layout specs (a primary, top-level page on most pro/commercial service sites) buried in the actual sale and upload listing for standard business cards. I suggest you look up the specs under the specific type of card you want printed, but the info is there.

[Katherine25238449muqx]

Thank you so much!!  This is very helpful!  I'm finally coming back to this and will do as you say, find the specs.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Document settings:

PDF Export settings:

Or you can override it and type values manually when exporting:

Remember to UNTICK EVERYTHING in the green area - in case your printer DO NOT WANT those extra lines

:

[Katherine25238449muqx]

Thank you so much -- these screen shots are wonderfully helpful!!!

[rob day]

Hi @Katherine25238449muqx , Vista does not want crop marks. They have templates and trim & bleed specs for all of their card sizes--you might want to download the template for the card size you are printing

[Katherine25238449muqx]

Thank you!  I hadn't realized this!  That's easier 🙂

[vegaprintltd]

Enter the dimensions of your business card, including the bleed area. For instance, if your business card size is 3.5 inches x 2 inches, set the bleed to 0.125 inches on all sides, resulting in a document size of 3.75 inches x 2.25 inches.
enter the bleed amount you specified earlier. For example, enter 0.125 inches for all sides. You can also set a slug area if you have any notes or information that need to be outside the trim area.

[Katherine25238449muqx]

Thank you so much!  You cards are awesome too!

[Katherine25238449muqx]

your*

[BobLevine]

Nevermind.