Trim,image area and safe area

[celined1845719]

Hi,

I have received the following dimensions for a flyer.

Trim Size: 297mm(d) x 210mm(w)

Bleed: 307mm(d) x 220mm(w)

Image Area: 270mm(d) x 182mm(w)

Safe Area: 285mm(d) x 198mm(w)

What do trim, image area and safe area correspond to in Adobe Indesign?

Is trim size the overall size of the document and how can I set up the image area and safe area? Also my Indesign always rounds up the mm, I'm not sure where to change this setting?

My flyer has been created in Photoshop and I was hoping to import it in Indesign as a final step.

Many thanks.

[Derek Cross · Accepted solution]

The trimmed page size (TPS) is 297 x 210mm — that’s A4, in other words the size of the finished flyer. You normally add 3mm to each edge for Bleed, such as a flyer, (no bleed for the inner margins of facing pages).  Safe area is the notional space within which to include text and images, known as margins. You may prefer larger margins.

You Place images that have been optimised in Photoshop in InDesign where you then add the text and coloured shapes etc. Do not produce the text in Photoshop, apart from maybe, the odd decorative effect heading. The Effective PPI of images should be between 200 and 300PPI — you can check that in the Links Panel.

When you set up your document in InDesign select Print as the intent, work in RGB color mode and supply your printer (unless they give you another spec) a PDF/X-4 including trim marks and tick Use Document Bleed Settings.

You can change the the measurements to mm in InDesign Preferences under the Units tab.

Here's how the set up new document panel might look – ready add your own margins (unselect the lock icon to have different measurements):

[Laubender]

https://forums.adobe.com/people/Derek+Cross  wrote

The trimmed page size (TPS) is 297 x 210mm — that’s A4, in other words the size of the finished flyer. You normally add 3mm to each edge for Bleed, …

Hi Derek,

FWIWI: If like in this case the bleed area is defined as 307 x 220 we can assume that a bleed of 5 mm on every side is needed.

Regards,
Uwe

[Derek Cross]

Yes, I guess so, rather generous, don't you think.

[Danny Whitehead.]

The guillotine's on the blink, so they're going to use an axe.

[Stephen_Budge4731]

Thank you, info was very helpful. Could I setup like this in Firefly?

[celined1845719]

Thanks so much for your help. I have now redone most of the flyer in Indesign.

Now I have a couple more questions..

1. How can I achieve the same effect (clipping mask in PS) like on the provided example. (photo on top of the rectangles with low opacity). Do I have to duplicate the shapes?

2. If I want a white border for the top photo, do I need to make sure that the photo is not going over the margins?

Many thanks

[BobLevine]

You can knock the opacity back with the effects panel.

The shapes can be drawn using the rectangle tool and the shear tool.

Keep the white frame in the safe area, but I warn you, if the flyer isn't cut perfectly centered, it's not going look right.

[celined1845719]

Thanks I might just leave it the way it is then. Don't want to risk. Thanks for your help!

[celined1845719]

So if I have logos at the bottom of the flyer, do I need to make sure they are within the margin area and that they are not going over it?

I don't think I am understanding the margin thing. Do I really need to add 12.5 mm margin for 285mm(d) x 198mm(w)?

[Derek Cross]

Margins are within the Trimmed Page Size (you don't add them to that size).

Can you post a screen shot of your flyer including the trim marks so we can see more clearly any issues.

You can do this by exporting a PDF of your flyer using one of the InDesign Adobe PDF Presets (best to select PDF/X-4) and in subsequent Export Adobe PDF dialogue box, under the Marks and Bleeds tab, tick Crop Marks and also tick Use Document Bleed Settings.

Then take a screen shot of the subsequent PDF and post it here as a JPG (this forum doesn't accept PDFs).

[celined1845719]

[Derek Cross]

Assuming the trim marks trim the flyer to A4 this seems OK, although a little more space (margin) on the left and right would look a bit better IMO, in other words bring the content in a little. Also make sure the type layers are the first ones. Other comments (subjective), I'd make the headline a bit larger and move the shadow closer to the lettering and make the line spacing a bit closer.

[celined1845719]

Thank you so much. I have done as you suggested and moved everything closer to the centre. So 6 mm margin is good?

[Derek Cross]

Normally it's 3mm per edge for bleed, but if your printer need 6mm let him have it!

[Stephen_Budge4731]

More great advice, Thanks

[celined1845719]

I might try to give them a call to clarify tomorrow. Thank you!

[Derek Cross]

Also ask them what type of PDF they want, normally a PDF/X-4 is the correct one.

[celined1845719]

It was press quality preferred. Some of the logos were not showing right on the pdf so I provided what you suggested. I also provided the Indesign package just in case. 6mm was confirmed. Just need to wait and see how it turns out in the magazine now.

[Derek Cross]

Yeah, PDF/X-4 allows for transparency.

[Laubender]

Hi,

"press quality" ?

That's no good sign, I think.

That preset is not worth its name.

Instead export to PDF/X-1a ( no transparency ) or better to PDF/X-4 as Derek already suggested.

Every thing else is not advisable. Print standards require predictable color management and that is only given with the two presets I mentioned.

Regards,
Uwe

[Srishti Bali]

Hi Celine,

I would like to know if the steps suggested above worked for you, or the issue still persists.

Kindly update the discussion if you need further assistance with it.

Thanks,

Srishti

[celined1845719]

Yes, it worked thanks until I see the results .

[celined1845719]

The flyer turned out fine in the magazine Thanks for all your help!