Bleed

When an image is to extend completely to the edge of the finished sheet, an extra image or color area is required beyond the finished sheet size termed the "bleed" to allow cutting with no white area revealed due to shifts in the paper stack or other inaccuracies while cutting/trimming to finish size.Typically bleed for most commercial printers is 1/8" supplied image area beyond the finish cut size of the piece.

(Further, in addition to the 1/8" bleed to be provided beyond the finished cut size, typical instruction is to keep type or other critical elements 1/8" inside the finished cut size to prevent critical elements from being cut due to shifting or unavoidable cutting inaccuracies.)