• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Printing for Less

Printing for Less

At Printing for Less, we've offered high quality online printing services since 1996. Shop business cards, booklets, stickers, and more!

800-930-2423
Get A Quote
  • Products
    • Announcements
    • Banners
    • Booklets
    • Booklet Envelopes
    • Bookmarks
    • Branded Box Printing
    • Brochure Holders
    • Brochures
    • Buck Slips
    • Business Cards
    • Calendar Printing
    • Campaign Printing
    • Carbonless Forms
    • Catalogs
    • CD Covers
    • Club Cards
    • Coil Bound Booklets
    • Custom Printing
    • Digital Printing
    • Door Hangers
    • EDDM Postcards
    • Envelopes
    • File Folders
    • Flyers
    • Folded Business Cards
    • Folders
    • Forms
    • Greeting Cards
    • Hang Tags
    • Holiday Cards
    • Invitations
    • Labels
    • Large Envelopes
    • Large Format
    • Large Posters
    • Letterhead/Envelope
    • Magnets
    • Mailer Printing
    • Mailing Envelopes
    • Mailing Services
    • Memo Pads
    • Menus
    • NCR Forms
    • Newsletters
    • Note Cards
    • Notepads
    • Offering Envelopes
    • Packaging
    • Plastic Cards
    • Pocket Folders
    • Postcards
    • Posters
    • Post-it® Notes
    • Presentation Folders
    • Rack Cards
    • Receipt Books
    • Remittance Envelopes
    • Sell Sheets
    • Signs
    • Statement Stuffers
    • Stationery
    • Stickers
    • Table Tents
    • Tickets
    • Variable Data Printing
    • Vinyl Banners
    • Yard Signs
  • Industries
    • Advertising & Design
    • Real Estate
    • Medical
    • Food & Beverage
    • Non-Profit
    • University
    • Technology
    • Enterprise
  • Services
    • Reseller Program
    • Fulfillment
    • Digital Printing
    • Mailing Services
    • Custom Solutions
    • Custom Packaging
    • Design Services
    • Printing for Less Direct Mail Platform
  • Resources
    • Marketing & Design Tips
    • Templates
    • Blog
    • Help & FAQs
    • Printing Terms & Glossary
    • Video Library
  • Get Samples
  • My Login
  • Contact
  • About
    • Why Printing for Less?
    • Our Team
    • Sustainable Printing

Graphic Design Layout Specifications for Printing

Bleed

Bleed is the amount of printed information which extends beyond the finished size of your piece.

  • Bleed allows us to print your piece slightly oversized and cut it down to its exact size. This gives a final seamless appearance of the image “bleeding” off the edges.
  • We recommend that you build your file with bleed dimensions of an extra 1/8 inch (.125″) on each side. This increases the total width and height of your document by 1/4 inch (.25″). For example, a 3.5 x 2″ business card is designed as a 3.75 x 2.25″ file.
  • We are happy to provide templates for your use that include bleed dimensions.
  • If you do not design your piece with bleeds, we are happy to add bleed free of charge!

graphic layout bleeds

Safe Design Zone

The safe design zone is the 1/8 inch (.125″) area surrounding the inside trim edge of your piece.

  • Keeping your critical content-text, images, graphics-within the safe design zone ensures that nothing will be positioned too close to the edge, where it could be impacted by trimming variances of up to 1/32 inch. In the 3.5 x 2″ business card example, all important content should be positioned within the interior 3.25 x 1.75″.
  • The safe design zone decreases to 1/16 inch (.0625″) for envelopes, and increases to 3/16 inch (.1875″) for catalogs with more than 36 pages.
  • Borders around the outside edge should be at least 1/8 inch (.125″) wide to avoid any visual variance after trimming.
Panel Dimensions

The best way to understand panel dimensions is to make a quick mock-up of your folded piece. The panel dimensions are listed from narrowest to widest. Once you have a folded mock-up, write the dimensions on the appropriate panels, both front and back. Then translate your page and panel information into your design layout.

  • Dimensions are provided at bleed size/at trim size
  • We are happy to provide templates for your use that include fold line indicators.
Tri Fold
8.5 x 11 3.6347 3.6667 3.6987
8.5 x 14 4.6347 4.6667 4.6987
11 x 17 5.6347 5.6667 5.6987
Closed Gate Fold
8.5 x 11 2.735 2.75 2.765 2.75
8.5 x 14 3.485 3.55 3.515 3.5
11 x 17 4.235 4.25 4.265 4.25
Z Fold
8.5 x 11 3.67 3.67 3.67
8.5 x 14 4.67 4.67 4.67
11 x 17 5.67 5.67 5.67
4-Panel Barrel Roll
8.5 x 11 2.69 2.73 2.77 2.81
8.5 x 14 3.44 3.48 3.52 3.56
11 x 17 4.19 4.23 4.27 4.31
4-Panel Fold / Double Parallel
8.5 x 11 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75
8.5 x 14 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50
11 x 17 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25
Accordion Fold / M Fold
8.5 x 11 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75
8.5 x 14 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50
11 x 17 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25
 
Size Specifications and Layout Information
Business Card Size Specifications
CD Cover Size Specifications
Newsletter Templates
Rounded Corner Business Card Templates
Brochure Templates for Design and Layout
Envelope Printing Information
Door Hanger Design and Layout Instructions
Presentation Folder Design and Layout Instructions
Presentation Folder and Pocket Folder Templates
Brochure Holder Layout Instructions
Rack Card Holder Layout Instructions
Calendar Printing Specifications
File Folder Design
US Mail Layout Guides for Commercial Printing
Hang Tag Templates with Design and Layout Instructions
Table Tent Templates and Design with Layout Instructions
InDesign Brochure Templates for Design and Layout
Post-it® Notes Templates with Design and Layout Instructions
Carbonless NCR Form Layout and Design Templates and Instructions
Folded Business Card Templates with Design and Layout Instructions
Coil Bound Booklet and Manual Templates with Design and Layout Instructions
Church Offering and Remittance Envelopes with Design and Layout Instructions
 
Graphic Design and Layout Template Files
 
Creative Resources for Designers

Visit our Graphic Design Center for tips and articles on design, digital photography, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Publisher, and QuarkXPress.

Other Resources:

visit creativepro

Creativepro.com is a comprehensive online resource for creative professionals working in graphic arts and printing on the Web. The site provides news, reviews, how-to features, and analysis from experts in the fields of publishing, digital imaging, and creative workflow. Creativepro.com also includes essential resources and services to help creative pros get the job done—from one-click stock photography and font searches to book and software purchases to on-line print ordering. Creativepro.com is also the publisher of InDesign Magazine, the only publication devoted entirely to Adobe InDesign.
RELATED MARKETING & DESIGN TIPS

Plastic Cards Printing and Marketing

High quality printing of plastic cards and plastic business cards, with free templates, live expert help and award winning customer service

Read More >


4 Color Process Printing

Explanation and description of how four color process printing works and how a color separation is made.

Read More >


Hang Tag Stringing

Get custom hang tag stringing for your printed hangtags. Strings come in both cotton and elastic materials in a variety of colors, thicknesses and lengths

Read More >


How to Create a Small Business Marketing Plan

Need help creating a small business marketing plan? We created a detailed step by step guide to get your marketing out into the world. Learn more!

Read More >


Point of Purchase Displays

These patented easy to erect custom point of purchase displays can complement your literature graphics and communicate your brand messaging better

Read More >


Business Card Examples, Printing Samples and Design Ideas

See how professional printing and design can up the impact of your business card with these business card examples, printing samples, and design ideas.

Read More >


Choosing a Printing Service for Your Project

Printing services types explained. Help with choosing the right printing service for your commercial printing needs

Read More >


Design Postcards in InDesign to Connect

Read More >


Perfect Binding

Get Perfect Binding done on your high page count catalogs and booklets for added durability and class

Read More >


Video Library

Browse our video library for commercial printing techniques and helpful printing tips for professionals. We cover common services, printed materials, & more.

Read More >


CD Cover Size Specifications

See standard CD cover dimensions, layout specifications, guidelines, and design tips for printing CD covers and CD inserts. Guaranteed quality & delivery.

Read More >


Discount Offers and Promotions

Special discount offers and coupons for full color printing services

Read More >


Brochure Printing with Custom Inks

Get metallic, pantone and custom ink printing on your brochures so you can stand out with improved visibility and enhance your conversion rates

Read More >


The Scenery From Here

Read More >


Scented Printing

Scented printing offers a whole new dynamic to the customer experience! Great for sampling fragrances or creating a lasting impression. Smell our options!

Read More >


Brochure Design Tips for Business

Brochure design tips to help you choose the right paper, paper size, and coating for your brochure. Learn how to take your brochure design to the next level.

Read More >


How to Edit PDFs in Adobe Illustrator

Learn how to edit PDFs in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Illustrator like a professional in this step-by-step guide. Start modifying PDF documents with ease!

Read More >


Envelope Printing and Design

Get envelopes printed online with sustainable printing options and visual flair to boost your response rates. Learn more on how to create effective designs.

Read More >


Plastic Business Card Printing

Get high quality plastic business cards printed with numerous custom options, fast turnaround, free templates, live expert help and award winning service

Read More >


Postcard Design in InDesign for Postcard Marketing Success

Tips on easily using InDesign to design postcards from conception to printing, including sizes, back design, images, ink, templates, paper, indicias and mail layout guidelines.

Read More >


Graphic Design Help
Marketing & Design Tips

Guides
Jumping into the world of printing? We’ve put together these handy resources to help you get your footing.

Explore >

Templates
Templates

Templates
Pre-made templates are a great way to springboard your creativity and make sure everything is laid out exactly the way you need it. Utilize one of our printing templates and speed up the printing process even more.

Explore >

Printing for Less services the technology industry.
Blog Articles

Blog Articles
We’ve compiled a list of our best blog posts to help you dive into custom printing

Explore >

Footer

Printing for Less

info@printingforless.com
100 P F L Way, Livingston, MT 59047

800-924-2041

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Products
  • Industries
  • Services
  • Get Samples
  • Resources
  • Guides
  • Templates
  • Blog
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact
  • About
  • Our Team
  • Careers
  • Login

Copyright © 1998-2023 PrintingforLess.com. All Rights Reserved.

logo
  • 866-501-7488
  • Products
  • Industries
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Get Samples
  • Get a Quote
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • My Login
Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.