Bleeds, margins and dpi for each paper size

[JuDrus]

Hello everyone,

I think that this is a fairly easy question for experienced users.

What bleeds, margins and dpi I should use for each paper size (from A5 to A0) ?

For A5, A4, A3 I am using 3mm bleed, 5mm margin and 300dpi. But the problem is bigger sizes, because somewhere I saw that you should use bigger bleeds and lower dpi for bigger posters... I don't know exact numbers, but let's say for example for A0 - 5mm bleeds, 10mm margin and 150 dpi...

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Digital images’ resolution is not expressed as dpi but as ppi. 

dpi refers to output deviced like platesetters for example. 

Here’s an article on resolution and viewing distance: 

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/what-print-resolution-works-for-what-viewing-distance/

[JuDrus]

This article is from 2006... Also, it's more about pure photos and not posters or paper sizes... and nothing about bleeds or margins. 

[Bojan Živković]

"But the problem is bigger sizes, because somewhere I saw that you should use bigger bleeds and lower dpi for bigger posters"

If you going to print your work why not contacting print company for instructions? It is the best option, I believe. If you going to upload online for printing then look on site for instructions or look for contact form.

[JuDrus]

I understand that contacting a print company would be the best option, but... I am kinda starting a freelance job, so for now, my clients (if you can call them like that) just ask for a certain size poster and just then looking for a print place which could print that... So in other words, 95% of my clients don't know where they will print their posters and that's why I can't contact anyone...

 That is why I would like to know what is the most optimal numbers. For example visit card uses 2mm bleed, 3mm margin, and 300dpi. 

[Derek Cross]

-- I suggest you use 3mm bleed on all items.

-- Work in RGB color mode (do not convert to CMYK).

-- Have between 200 and 300PPI for items that are to be viewed close up, and say 100PPI for things, like banners and posters, to be viewed from a distance (assuming all artwork is supplied Same Size).

-- Supply the artwork as a PDF/X-4, with Crop Marks ticked and Use Document Bleed Settings ticked.

All these specs to be confirmed by the printer, if possible.

[JuDrus]

First of all, why should I work in RGB? I definitely know that I should work in CMYK for prints...

Second thing, Photoshop does not have such a thing as "Use Document Bleed Settings"... you are mix up with InDesign 😕

[Derek Cross]

Which CMYK would you choose?

[D Fosse]

CMYK is only for commercial offset presses. You will then need to know the specific CMYK profile that characterizes the process (press/paper/ink). These profiles have names like US Web Coated SWOP, ISO Coated 300% (ECI), Coated FOGRA39, PSO Uncoated ISO 12647 and so on.

For any kind of desktop/office printer, stay in RGB. These printers expect RGB data.

There are a few exceptions, but you're very unlikely to run into them.

3mm bleed should be fine for most practical purposes.

[jane-e]

"First of all, why should I work in RGB? I definitely know that I should work in CMYK for prints..."

Hi

This article from InDesign Secrets by David Blatner and Claudia McCue explains why you should be working in RGB. In the article they mention they have been saying it for 15 years, and the article was written six years ago. I just mentioned this fact to a colleague this morning.

"Why You Should Import RGB Images Into InDesign and Convert to CMYK On Export"

https://indesignsecrets.com/import-rgb-images-indesign-convert-cmyk-export.php

~ Jane

[rob day]

The standard bleed in the US is usually .125" and that wouldn’t normally change with the sheet size. The bleed needs to cover the variance when the stack of press sheets is jogged for trimming—the size of the sheet wouldn’t change the variance within the stack.

Even if you do know the destination press profile you wouldn’t want to edit in CMYK mode because requirements like total ink limits, and black plate generation are built into a CMYK profile and happen on the conversion from RGB to CMYK. If you make significant edits or use blending modes in CMYK, there would be the risk of exceeding total ink limits or ruining the black CMY relationship.

[JuDrus]

So using this would be wrong in Photoshop if I am working on things that would be printed? 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

»I definitely know that I should work in CMYK for prints...«

What kind of images or designs are you talking about? 

If you are talking about photoshgraphic images you may have misunderstood the issue. 

If you are talking about designs or Illustrations with black linework or text or areas of primary and/or secondary colors working in CMYK may make sense indeed but then the question would arise if working in Photoshop is prudent in this case. 

[JuDrus]

We are talking about this kind of stuff.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Photoshop does not seem a great choice for that kind of design to me. 

If you use Shape Layers and Type Layers the vector content can be maintained depending on the file formats ultimately handed off to the printers but Illustrator might offer more convenience for the type and graphic elements. 

[mglush]

I work in inches when I prepare files for print--so I hope this helps. I use a .125 (1/8) inch bleed for everything except for posters (maybe sometimes for posters) and banners.

Margins in print work can vary and I usually give enough room so that the type doesn't look crowded up against the edges (sometimes 1/2 in., sometimes 3/8 but never less that 1/4). 300 ppi has been a standard resolution for many years and it has worked really well for me.

Now, having said that, I would recommend that before working on any project that you talk to your printer. They will be more than happy to give you the information that will help you design and produce your piece and make their job easier.

For Posters and Banners -- the same rule applies. Talk to the printer who will be producing the piece and find out what their optimum bleed and resolution is. Also, ask them what is the file format that they prefer.

Those are just my tips on the process that has worked for me. If you have any questions, just let me know.

Michelle

[Derek Cross]

300PPI is the rule-of-thumb industry standard resolution for photographic images. This is because when printing on a coated substrate it generally requires a halftone screen of at least 150 lines per inch (LPI). 300PPI allows for 2 pixels per halftone dot. You can usually get away with a lower resolution, say 200PPI, if necessary. When Placing images in InDesign use native PSD files, the preferred image format to use in InDesign. It’s worth checking the Effective PPI of the image in InDesign, in the Links panel, to ensure the image is within these parameters. Of course, these resolutions are only selected for items that are read close up, like illustrated books and magazines. Items that are viewed from a distance, such as posters, might go as low at 30PPI in certain situations.

I appreciate this is a Photoshop forum but no doubt a number of PS users are also using InDesign to finalise their artwork for printing, and an explanation of the jargon may help, as there are some misinformation circulating about things like color modes (not to be confused with color spaces), bleeds and resolutions.

And of course, as mentioned, if possible, talk to your printer.

[JuDrus]

"no doubt a number of PS users are also using InDesign to finalise their artwork for printing"

I use InDesign just for multipage things and had never used it to finalize something from Photoshop... Of course, I am new and don't know everything...

How can you "finalize" your work in InDesign? Maybe because I am kinda new, but looking through my eyes, you can't do anything in InDesign... It's just software that has more features when you are working with more text (like brochures or magazines) and has nothing to offer when it comes to cutting out things, effects, manipulating photos and etc...

How can you "finalize" your work in InDesign? I should make (let's say Christmas party poster) in Photoshop RGB, then save it as PDF, then open it with InDesign and then export as PDF CMYK?

[Derek Cross]

Professional designers and publishers workflow is to optimise images in Photoshop and then Place them in InDesign pages together, possibly, with items from other applications, such as Illustrator files.

The text is added to to the page(s) and finalised for export to PDF for printing or to another format, such as Publish Online. In that sense the work is finalised. 

I hope this all makes sense to you now as this thread seems to be going on a bit with you challenging almost every post!

[c.pfaffenbichler]

»Professional designers and publishers workflow is to optimise images in Photoshop and then Place them in InDesign pages together«

And place them in Indesign as profiled RGB images. 

That way one can separate on PDF export and easily re-purpose them for different CMYK Spaces.