Bleed is the extra printed area beyond the finished edge so that after trim or cut, no white edge shows. The cutline is the vector path the cutter follows. Bleed should extend past the cutline so that minor cut variance does not expose unprinted substrate.
The mistake
Designers often put the cutline exactly on the “trim” edge and stop the print at the cutline. When the cutter shifts slightly, the cut can land in unprinted area and you get a white edge. The print must extend past the cutline (bleed) so the cut always goes through printed area.
Correct setup
Extend background and any edge-touching art past the cutline by the printer's bleed amount (e.g. 1/8"). The cut path stays where the finished edge should be; the print bleeds outside it. That way cut variance does not expose substrate.
Checklist
- Cut path = finished edge of the sticker or decal.
- Print/bleed extends past the cut path by the required amount.
- No critical detail right on the cutline; keep it in the safe zone.
Common mistake
Stopping the print at the cutline with no bleed. One small shift at cut and you see a white edge. Always bleed print past the cutline.