Always check your product’s artwork instructions. Bleed and safe margins can vary by product.
Steps in brief
- Set the page size to the finished size of your printed product.
- If you cannot add bleed, keep backgrounds and images away from the page edges.
- Save the file as a PDF.
- Open the PDF in another program and check the layout.
- Send a PDF to print, not just an editable Office file.
Save the PDF before sending
Don't just send a Word or PowerPoint file if PDF is possible. PDF locks pages into the correct format better.
Check the margins and page size
Check your document’s page size and margins. Keep important text and logos safely inside the trim line.
Printing to the edge of the page
For edge-to-edge printing, backgrounds must extend beyond the finished size into the bleed area. Office apps do not offer the same bleed controls as page-layout software. Contact us before ordering if you need help preparing the file.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send a Word document for printing?
PDF preserves the layout more reliably. Word can change fonts, pagination and margins on another computer.
Can I prepare print artwork in PowerPoint?
It can work for simple jobs, but the PDF needs to be checked carefully.
Why is the background that reaches the edge difficult in Office?
Office does not have the same bleed controls as professional page-layout software. Ask us for help if your artwork needs to print to the edge.
