> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://documentation.deep-image.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://documentation.deep-image.ai/image-processing/print/bleeding.md).

# Bleeding

Extend flyers, business cards, and other raster artwork beyond the trim edge with the Bleeding preset.

Use the `bleeding` preset to add print bleed around an existing image. It generates a continuation of the artwork beyond its edges while retaining the source footprint, rather than enlarging the whole design to fill a bigger canvas.

This is useful for flattened flyers, business cards, and event artwork whose photographs, textures, gradients, or decorative elements stop at the intended cutting line.

## Bleed, trim, and safe area

* **Trim** is the intended edge of the finished printed piece.
* **Bleed** is extra artwork outside that edge, which is cut away after printing.
* **Safe area** is the margin inside the trim edge where important text, logos, contact details, and QR codes should stay.

Adding bleed does not move essential content away from the cutting line. Use the bleed and safe-area dimensions specified by your printer.

Many printers request 3 mm or 0.125 inches per side. These are different measurements: 0.125 inches equals 3.175 mm.

## Request

Specify the bleed on each side with `padding`. For physical padding in inches, also provide `dpi`, or use an image with valid DPI metadata.

```json
{
  "url": "https://deep-image.ai/blog/content/images/2026/10/wikimedia-business-card-bleed-input.png",
  "preset": "bleeding",
  "padding": "1/8in",
  "dpi": 300,
  "output_format": "png"
}
```

Submit this processing payload using the [Quick Start](/quick-start.md) authentication and request workflow. Replace `url` with your artwork URL.

You can omit `width`, `height`, and `placement`: the API derives the larger canvas from the source dimensions and padding, keeping the source at its existing pixel size.

| Field           | Purpose                                                                                                                                                   |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `url`           | URL of the source artwork.                                                                                                                                |
| `preset`        | Set to `"bleeding"`.                                                                                                                                      |
| `padding`       | Margin on each side. Use an inch string such as `"1/8in"` or `"0.125in"`, an integer pixel margin, or a horizontal/vertical pixel pair such as `"35,35"`. |
| `dpi`           | Positive integer image density. Physical padding requires this value or valid source DPI metadata.                                                        |
| `output_format` | Set to `"png"` for the lossless raster output shown here.                                                                                                 |

Set `padding` explicitly for print work. Percentage padding is relative to the canvas dimensions and does not specify a fixed physical bleed.

## Physical size and pixel rounding

Add the bleed twice to each finished dimension: once for each opposing edge.

| Design        | Finished size | Artwork with 3 mm bleed on every side |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Business card | 85 × 55 mm    | 91 × 61 mm                            |
| A6 flyer      | 105 × 148 mm  | 111 × 154 mm                          |
| A5 flyer      | 148 × 210 mm  | 154 × 216 mm                          |

The API converts inch padding to whole pixels, rounding to the nearest pixel:

```
pixels per side = round(padding in inches × DPI)
output width = source width + 2 × horizontal padding
output height = source height + 2 × vertical padding
```

At 300 DPI, `1/8in` is 37.5 pixels, rounded to **38 pixels per side**. The 600 × 1050 pixel sample therefore becomes **676 × 1126 pixels**.

For a printer specification of 3 mm, calculate `3 / 25.4 × DPI` instead of substituting `1/8in`. At 300 DPI, the nearest whole-pixel margin is 35 pixels; `"padding": 35` adds that margin on every side. Verify the rounded physical size against the printer's requirements.

Assigning DPI does not add image detail. Use the density that matches the intended trim size of your artwork.

## Business card example

The following images are the input and processing result from the [AI print bleed article](https://deep-image.ai/blog/ai-print-bleed-flyers-business-cards/).

{% columns %}
{% column width="50%" %}
**Original — 600 × 1050 px**

![Original business-card artwork, 600 by 1050 pixels](https://2652559519-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3i5YcUkcXyIsWHIhRO2d%2Fuploads%2FhiuO6pt9vNkF7xxL8rLy%2Fbleeding-business-card-input.png?alt=media)
{% endcolumn %}

{% column width="50%" %}
**With bleed — 676 × 1126 px**

![Business-card artwork extended with bleed, 676 by 1126 pixels](https://2652559519-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3i5YcUkcXyIsWHIhRO2d%2Fuploads%2FmfRnr7lJ8uaTeZ91CXbi%2Fbleeding-business-card-result.png?alt=media)
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

Original artwork: [Wikimedia Foundation business-card back (alternate 3)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wikimedia-foundation-brand-business-card-back-alt3.png) by Mightyquinn84. Original and AI-extended derivative: [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The derivative adds bleed around the source artwork. No Wikimedia endorsement is implied.

## Inspect the extension

Check the joins along all four edges and corners before preparing the final print file:

* **Photographic flyers:** look for changes in object shapes and breaks in textures where the original meets the extension.
* **Business cards:** check background tones and decorative lines, and verify the original text, logos, contact details, and QR codes.
* **Event graphics:** check the direction and thickness of ribbons or other shapes, gradient continuity, and repeated details.

For a uniform background in an editable design, extending the background in your layout application may be sufficient. Bleeding is especially useful when only a flattened image is available.

## Finish the print file

Place the extended image at the correct physical scale in your layout application. Align the original footprint with the trim area and keep the added artwork outside it.

Export using your printer's requested PDF preset, color profile, and bleed settings. Add crop marks if requested. An extended PNG does not by itself define a PDF TrimBox, provide a required CMYK output intent, or make a file PDF/X compliant.

For resolution and paper-size settings, see [Print](/image-processing/print.md). For general image expansion, see [Inpainting and outpainting (uncrop)](/image-processing/inpainting-and-outpainting-uncrop.md).