Artwork feedback: how to fix bleed, background, and PDF setup issues

Introduction

If your artwork has been flagged during review, it usually means the file needs a small adjustment to ensure it prints correctly. The most common fixes are adding bleed, extending background colours into the bleed area, and exporting the file as a PDF with bleed and crop marks.

Issue description

Artwork feedback often relates to trim safety and file setup. To avoid white edges or unwanted outlines after trimming, your design must include a 3mm bleed around all edges, with any background colour or image extending fully into that bleed area. For circular designs, the background should fill the entire document, including the bleed, so no visible circle outline appears on the trim edge. Files should be saved as PDF with bleed and crop marks to preserve the correct setup.

Signs

• Your artwork has a white border or edge after trimming.
• The background stops at the trim line instead of extending into the bleed.
• A circular design shows a visible outline at the trim edge.
• The file was uploaded in a format that does not preserve bleed settings.
• The artwork feedback asks for bleed, crop marks, or both.

Basic troubleshooting steps

1. Check that your document includes a 3mm bleed on every side.
2. Extend all background colours, images, and design elements to cover the full bleed area.
3. For circular artwork, make sure the background fills the entire document, including the bleed, and does not stop at the circle edge.
4. Review the trim line to confirm there is no visible outline where the design will be cut.
5. Export the final file as a PDF with bleed and crop marks enabled.

Advanced troubleshooting steps

Step 1: Add a 3mm bleed to your document

Open your artwork in your design software and set the document bleed to 3mm on all sides. If the document already exists, update the page setup or document settings so the bleed area is visible before exporting.

Step 2: Extend the background into the bleed area

Make sure any background colour, pattern, or image extends beyond the trim line and fully covers the bleed area. Do not leave the bleed area blank, as this can create white edges when the artwork is trimmed.

Step 3: Check circular designs carefully

If your artwork is circular, the background colour should fill the entire document, including the bleed. Avoid placing the circle edge exactly on the trim line if it creates a visible outline. The design should appear seamless right to the edge of the bleed.

Step 4: Save as PDF with bleed and crop marks

When exporting, choose PDF as the file format and enable both bleed and crop marks. This helps preserve the correct print setup and gives the production team the information needed to trim the artwork accurately.

Summary

To fix artwork feedback, add a 3mm bleed, extend all backgrounds into the bleed area, ensure circular designs fill the full document including the bleed, and save the file as a PDF with bleed and crop marks. These steps help prevent trimming issues and improve print quality.

Next steps

After updating your artwork, re-upload the file for review. If you are still unsure how to apply bleed or export the correct PDF, check your design software help documentation or contact support for further guidance.

Additional information

If you are preparing artwork for print, always confirm the required bleed, trim, and export settings before submitting your file. This helps reduce delays and ensures your final printed piece is trimmed as intended.