How much bleed do I need for a business card?

You need 1.5 mm to 2 mm of bleed for a standard business card. This extension ensures that any background colors or images reach the physical edge of the card, preventing unprinted white slivers after the guillotine trim. While older references sometimes suggest 3 mm, that amount is primarily reserved for bound booklets to account for binding creep, not single-page cards. Always verify the specific bleed requirement in your printer’s technical specifications, as some facilities mandate 2 mm while others accept 1.5 mm. Keep all critical text and logos at least 3 mm inside the final trim line to avoid accidental cutting.

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