Please help me set this up, or, I've forgotten everything I ever knew about bleeds etc.

[ladyinblack1964]

I need to set up a postcard with the following:

Bleed Area: 4.29” x 5.98”

Trim: 4.13” x 5.83”

Safe Area: 3.97" x 5.66"

It's a 4" x 6" portrait oriented postcard.

It's been about 8 or 9 years since I've had to do this. I'm embarrassed to say, I don't remember how to set a document up like this.

Should the size of the document actually be 4.29" x 5.98"? Can someone walk me through this, please?

(I am working in what is probably the latest version of Creative Suite).

Thank you!

[Alexandre Becquet]

No you just have to choose the values "finished" and then added the bleed.

Sorry for the screenshot in French but I put the values in Inches.

[ladyinblack1964]

Thanks for getting back to me. However, I am still confused. Can someone else jump in?

[Derek Cross]

You always start off with the trimmed page size (TPS) of the document — in this case it’s said to be 4” x 6” and portrait (though postcards are traditionally landscape). To the TPS you add bleed, normally 1/8” / 3mm, to each edge.

The so-called Safe Area is a notional space inside the TPS near the edge, where you shouldn’t put type or images. Images that bleed should be positioned to the edge of the bleed guides.

When you have finalised your InDesign document ask your printer for a spec, otherwise  supply a PDF, normally PDF/X-4 with crop marks indicated and Use Document Bleed Settings also ticked (in the PDF dialogue box). 

[ladyinblack1964]

Thank you very much! That's very helpful. 🙂