How to Manage Bleed

Design Huddle now allows you to manage bleed directly within the platform for any print project. This applies whether you start from a blank canvas or import a print-ready PDF.

Starting from a Blank Canvas

1. Create New Project
2. Select Print
3. Choose Blank Canvas
4. Select the Manage Bleed button
5. Enter your bleed amount 
6. Click Apply
7. Choose your canvas size
8. Once inside the Editor, select the Show Bleed button next to the undo/redo button
9. The cut line will appear on the canvas and the canvas will automatically be stretched to include the designated bleed area

The bleed will only be applied on export if the Include Crop Marks and Bleed checkbox is selected when exporting.

If the bleed amount is not uniform after selecting Manage Bleed, uncheck the Uniform checkbox and add in your Top, Left, Bottom, and Right bleed amounts. 

Importing a Print PDF WITHOUT bleed

1. Create New Project
2. Select Print
3. Import the PDF
4. Open the Background menu
5. Select Size
6. Choose Manage Bleed and add your bleeds
7. Click Apply
8. A pop-up will appear with two options:
   • Already Includes Bleed - Choose this when your PDF already contains bleed.

• When selected:
  • Design Huddle retains the Project proportions but decreases Project dimensions accordingly
  • No extra bleed space is added
  • Bleed will be added onto the existing canvas at the designated lengths
  • You can still review or adjust bleed later through Manage Bleed
  • Use this option when your PDF is already formatted for print.

• Expand For Bleed - Choose this when your PDF does not include bleed or if you prefer Design Huddle to create the bleed for you.

• When selected:

1. The canvas automatically expands by the required bleed amount
2. Artwork is extended outward to fill the new bleed area
3. Ensures your exported file meets print requirements
4. Use this option when you need Design Huddle to generate with bleed on your file

Importing a Print PDF WITH bleed

1. Create New Project
2. Select Print
3. Import the PDF. Design Huddle will automatically detect the bleed meta data in the file
4. Select whether to Include Bleed in Dimensions or Separate Bleed
   1. Include Bleed in Dimensions - Project dimensions will include the bleed spacing
   2. Separate Bleed - Project dimensions will not include the bleed spacing and will be separated. Can be shown or hidden

IF you select Include Bleed in Dimensions

1. Open the Background menu
2. Select Size
3. Choose Manage Bleed
4. You will notice the bleed is applied and you have the ability to Convert canvas to hide bleed by default
5. If selected, the bleed will be hidden but can always be displayed by hitting the Show Bleed option at the top of the canvas

If you select Separate Bleed, the bleed by default will not show in the canvas but will be retained in the Project. You can always display this by clicking the Show Bleed option at the top of the Canvas.