Self-publishing a book can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also involves many decisions that can affect the final product. One of these decisions is whether to use a bleed or no-bleed format for your book.
What is Bleed?
Bleed refers to the section of your page that extends beyond the trim edge of your book. In other words, if your book has an image or color that goes to the edge of the page, that is a bleed. Bleed ensures no white space around the edges of your book.
What is No Bleed?
No bleed means that the design of your book will not extend beyond the trim edge. Any text or images will be placed in a safe space from the edge of the page, meaning there will be a small margin of white space around the edges.
Create your book in Canva so that you can easily move around the text and images. My friend Pam has a Facebook group to show you all the tips and tricks in Canva.
Advantages of Using Bleed
One main advantage of using a bleed format is that it can make your book look more professional. With bleed, your images and text can go to the edge of the page, creating a seamless and cohesive look. This is especially important for books that contain many images or graphics.
Another advantage of using bleed is that it can make your book look more eye-catching. For example, a design that goes all the way to the edge of the page can be more visually appealing than one with a white margin around the edges.
Disadvantages of Using Bleed
One of the main disadvantages of using bleed is that it can be more difficult to set up your file correctly. Bleed requires adding a margin to your design to ensure everything will fit correctly after trimming the book. This can be confusing for those who are not familiar with the process.
Another disadvantage of using bleed is that it can be more expensive. Printing with bleed requires more paper and more precise cutting, which can add to the cost of production.
Advantages of Using No Bleed
One of the advantages of choosing a no-bleed format is that it is easier to set up your file correctly. In addition, you do not need to add a margin to your design, which can simplify the process. Another advantage of using no bleed is that it can be less expensive. For example, printing with no bleed requires less paper and less precise cutting, which can reduce the cost of production.
Disadvantages of Using No Bleed
One of the main disadvantages of using no bleed is that it can make your book look less professional. A design with a white margin around the edges can look less polished and cohesive.
Another disadvantage of using no bleed is that it can be less eye-catching. For example, a design with a white margin around the edges can be less visually appealing than one with a bleed.
The decision to use bleed or no bleed for your self-published book is personal. Bleed can make your book look more professional and eye-catching, but it can also be more difficult and expensive to set up. No bleed can be easier and less expensive, but it can also make your book look less polished and cohesive. Carefully review the pros and cons of each option before making your decision.
Join KDP Launchpad to access free templates for the most frequently used sizes in bleed and no bleed.
Happy Creating!
