How to Add Bleed to an InDesign Interior File

How to Add Bleed to an InDesign Interior

Bleed can be added to the interior InDesign file in two ways. In these examples, the trim size is a 6x9 inch book, with 100 pages.

1. Bleed can be included in the document size. (see figure A below)

Document settings can be found when creating a new document, or navigate to ‘File/Document Setup’ in a document that has already been created.  below)

It is important to make sure the dimensions are accurate. A bleed chart is included in the File Creation Guide, which can be found in your account under the ‘Help’ tab

-Select Facing Pages, which provides a layout with spreads

-Add desired margins (a minimum of .5 inches is recommended, including page numbers and non-bleeding text and art).

-To create a .5 inch margin, the top, bottom, and outside margins should be .625 inches.

-After the .125 inch bleed is trimmed off, this will leave .5 inch margins.

-Images that are intended to bleed off the edge of the pages should extend to the edge of the white area.

-Convert any Spot/Pantone color to CMYK.

Figure A

When the interior is complete, export as PDF/X1a and do not alter any settings. Do not include crop, registration, or printer marks. (see figure B below)

Figure B

2. Add bleed in the document settings. (see Figure C)

-Add the book trim size height and width 

-Make sure Facing Pages is selected (this provides a layout with spreads)

-Add bleed to the top, bottom, and outside only (.125 inches)

-Add desired margins (a minimum of .5 inches is recommended, including page numbers and non-bleeding text and art)

-Convert any Spot/Pantone color to CMYK

Figure C

The grey area between the white of the page and the red border is the bleed area. All images that reach the edge of the white page should extend to at least the red border. (see Figure D)

The edge of the white page is where the page will be trimmed.

Figure D

When the Facing Pages option is selected, the verso/even pages (back side of paper) will be on the left and the recto/odd pages (front side of the paper) will be on the right. (see Figure E)

Figure E

When the interior is complete, export as PDF/X1a. (see figure F)

-The only setting that should be changed is under the Marks and Bleeds tab on the left. -Do not include crop, registration, or printer marks.

-Select "Use Document Bleed Settings"; this will apply the bleed options selected in the document setup window. If this setting is not selected, the bleed will not be included in the PDF file.

Figure F

REVIEW PDF

The PDF file should always be reviewed in Acrobat Reader or Professional. A digital file must be ‘print ready’ – a file that removes the most common problems encountered during the manufacturing process. This will help avoid unexpected print results. Files are processed as received and are not preflighted prior to processing. 

-After opening the PDF, verify that the following two options are selected under View/Page Display.

-Two Page Display will show pages in spreads

-Show Cover Page in Two Page View forces the first page of the PDF to be an odd/recto page, to mimic a printed book.

-Page through the entire PDF, checking that everything is accurate.

-Go to File/Properties and verify the page size includes bleed and all elements intended to bleed extend to the edge of the page. (see figure G)

Figure G

Click on the fonts tab and check that all fonts read as ‘embedded’ or ‘embedded subset’ (see figure H)

Figure H