How to create an Adobe InDesign file with bleeds

Creating a new InDesign file

First go "File" > "New".
A window will open presenting you with some options (see the screen shot below). Set up your document with the correct bleeds by following these steps:

1. Enter the size that you want the finished document to be.
2. Add the "Safety Margin" size. If you have any text or images on your document, then you should make sure that they are kept inside the safety margin box. Safety margins can vary but for a business card add a safety margin of at least 5mm. Larger documents should have a safety margin of at least 7mm.
3. Enter the size (in mm) of the bleed you require into the bleed box. We recommend a bleed of at least 3mm.

Click "OK", and a document will be created (see below).

The lines on the InDesign document represent the following:

1. The black line (1) indicates the edge of the document where it will be cut at the printers.
2. The pink line (2) is the safety margin area. Keep all images and text that you want on the finished document within this box.
3. The red line (3) is the bleed area. Any images or background colours that you wish to print to the edge of your document must extend to at least this line. As the document is going to be cut on the black line (1), any images or colours within the bleed area will not be on the finished document. The reason to include a bleed is if the document is cut 1 - 2mm away from the black line there will not be an obvious white border, and images or colours will still extend to the edge of the document.

Adding bleeds to an existing InDesign file

First: Open your existing file.

Second: Choose "File" > "Document Setup".  See the below image.

A box will appear showing the document's details. Just add 3mm to each bleed box (see below), and then click "OK".

A bleed area will be added to your document.