Letter Size Document Does Not FIt Letter Size Paper

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
February 7, 2025
3 replies
707 views

I just wanted to ask if anyone knows why this is a thing. I create a US Letter sized document in InDesign, create the document based on the guidelines provided with a standard bleed, and when I go to print the design does not fit onto the letter size paper in the printer.

For the past 20 years, my fix was just "Scale To Fit"... but why? Why is this a problem?

Am I doing something wrong? Do I need to create a document specific to each printer's margins? Or is this just the nature of the beast?

Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

The bleed is typically for commercial printers that would print your letter size document (8.5x11 in) on an oversized sheet and trim it down to the proper size. The bleed area is only needed if items such as photos, colored boxes, or rules touch the edge of the paper. If so, they should be extended out to the bleed area. This is simply to prevent slivers of paper (presumedly white) from showing if the paper shifts slight during trimming.

Most printers, with the exception of some photographic printers, cannot print to the edge of the paper, so a bleed is unnecessary. I "think" you are confusing bleed with printer margins. Generally, if you keep everything 1/4 inch inside the paper edge (not outside like a bleed), then most printers can print the entire page without scaling it down. Some printers might be able to get as close as 1/8 in from the page edge.

Dave Creamer of IDEASCorrect answer

Community Expert

The bleed is typically for commercial printers that would print your letter size document (8.5x11 in) on an oversized sheet and trim it down to the proper size. The bleed area is only needed if items such as photos, colored boxes, or rules touch the edge of the paper. If so, they should be extended out to the bleed area. This is simply to prevent slivers of paper (presumedly white) from showing if the paper shifts slight during trimming.

Most printers, with the exception of some photographic printers, cannot print to the edge of the paper, so a bleed is unnecessary. I "think" you are confusing bleed with printer margins. Generally, if you keep everything 1/4 inch inside the paper edge (not outside like a bleed), then most printers can print the entire page without scaling it down. Some printers might be able to get as close as 1/8 in from the page edge.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)