Bleed is a term used in design to refer to the area beyond the edge of a printed page or design element that is intentionally added to ensure that the final product has no unwanted white margins or edges. Bleed is necessary when printing designs that extend to the edge of the paper or cardstock, as it allows for the printing to go beyond the trimmed edge of the paper, ensuring a clean and professional finish.

In a design file, bleed is typically indicated by extending design elements or background colour beyond the edge of the document by a few millimetres or inches, depending on the printing requirements. The final product is then trimmed to the desired size, with the excess bleed area removed, leaving a seamless edge. Proper use of bleed is essential to achieve a high-quality and professional printed product.