Print design doesn’t have to feel like rocket science. At Precision Images, we believe in making the process easy—even for non-designers. So let’s break down a few key terms you’ll hear when preparing files: bleeds, safe zones, and resolution—minus the technical mumbo jumbo.

What’s a Bleed?
Imagine you’re printing a flyer with a photo that runs to the very edge. We print that photo a little bigger than needed and trim it down so there’s no accidental white border. That extra bit is called a bleed. It’s usually 1/8″ (.125″) on each side.

What’s a Safe Zone?
Now, picture a border or text that’s too close to the edge. When we trim the flyer, even a tiny shift could cut into your content. The safe zone is a margin inside the trim line where you keep all critical text or images—think of it as your design’s safety net.

What’s Resolution?
Resolution is how detailed your image is. For print, 300 DPI (dots per inch) is the gold standard. Anything less can result in fuzzy, pixelated prints. Just because it looks good on your screen doesn’t mean it’ll look good on paper!

Pro tip: Always ask us for a file checklist if you’re unsure. We love helping clients get it right the first time.