Are you unsure whether you should use bleed printing for your KDP project? As a publisher, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of both bleed and no bleed printing so you can make an informed decision.
In this guide, we’ll cover what KDP is, what bleed printing is, the benefits and drawbacks of each, and how you can decide if you should bleed or not bleed KDP.
Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!.
Table of Contents
Short Answer
The answer to this question depends on the size and shape of the book you are creating.
If your book has a spine and is designed to be printed in full color, then you should choose a bleed KDP.
This is because when printing, the images and text may need to extend off the edge of the page to ensure a professional finish.
If your book does not have a spine and is not designed for full color printing, then you can choose a no-bleed KDP.
This is because you won’t need the images and text to extend off the page, and the no-bleed KDP will save you money on printing costs.
What is KDP?
KDP, or Kindle Direct Publishing, is a self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish their eBooks and paperbacks to a global audience.
It is a popular platform for authors to showcase their work, as it allows for a quick and easy way to get their books out to readers.
With KDP, authors can have their books available on Amazon, as well as other distribution channels such as Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.
KDP also provides authors with access to a variety of tools, including Kindle Create, which helps authors format and design their eBooks and paperbacks, and Kindle Direct Publishing, which allows authors to upload and manage their books on the platform.
KDP also offers a suite of marketing and promotional tools to help authors reach their target audiences and increase their sales.
What is Bleed Printing?
Bleed printing is a printing process that allows artwork to be extended beyond the page’s trim edge.
This allows the artwork to go all the way to the edge of the page, giving the book a professional, attractive look.
When bleed printing, the artwork is printed on a larger page size than the finished book size.
This larger page size is then trimmed down to the finished size, giving the artwork a full bleed effect.
In order to achieve the best results with bleed printing, the artwork must be designed with the correct bleed settings.
The artwork must be extended beyond the page trim edge by a minimum of 0.
125 on all 4 sides of the page.
This will ensure that the artwork does not get cut off when the page is trimmed down.
The artwork must also be centered on the page so that it is not too close to the trim edge.
For authors using KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) to self-publish their books, bleed printing can be an effective way to make their books look more professional and attractive.
By using bleed printing, authors can create books with artwork that goes all the way to the edge of the page, giving the book a high-quality, professional look.
However, bleed printing does come with some drawbacks.
Bleed printing requires a larger page size, which can increase the cost of production, and it also requires the artwork to be designed correctly in order to achieve the desired result.
Benefits of Bleed Printing
When it comes to deciding whether to bleed or not bleed KDP, the biggest factor to consider is the aesthetic appeal that bleed printing can provide.
Bleed printing extends the artwork beyond the trim edge of the page, creating a visually stunning look that can make your book truly stand out.
This effect can be especially powerful on books with full page images, as a bleed print can make the artwork appear to stretch out into the page itself, creating a highly attractive and professional look.
Additionally, bleed printing can allow for more creative design options, such as double page spreads, which can be used to create a unique reading experience.
While bleed printing does come with a higher cost and requires a larger page size, the aesthetic appeal and creative possibilities it provides may be well worth the investment for authors looking to create a professional, eye-catching book.
Drawbacks of Bleed Printing
Bleed printing can make the book look more professional and attractive, but it also has its drawbacks.
One of the main drawbacks is the cost.
Bleed printing requires a larger page size than no bleed printing, which means that more paper and ink will be used, resulting in a higher cost.
Additionally, bleed printing can create problems with the binding of the book.
If the artwork is too close to the binding, it could be cut off, resulting in a less than perfect finish.
Furthermore, bleed printing requires more precise cutting and trimming of the pages, which can be difficult and time consuming.
Lastly, bleed printing can require a higher resolution image, which may not be available to the author or may require additional costs.
For all these reasons, authors should carefully consider the cost and other potential drawbacks of bleed printing before deciding whether or not to use it.
Benefits of No Bleed Printing
No bleed printing has some distinct advantages over bleed printing that make it an attractive option for authors.
For one, the cost associated with no bleed printing is much lower, which could be the deciding factor for authors on a budget.
The smaller page size associated with no bleed printing can also be beneficial, as it allows authors to fit more content into their books.
Additionally, no bleed printing requires less setup, so authors can get their books to market faster.
The most obvious benefit of no bleed printing is that the artwork will not extend beyond the trim edge of the page.
This means that the artwork will not be cut off when the book is trimmed and bound, and the artwork will look sharp and professional.
The white border around the edge of the page can also give the artwork a unique look that can be attractive to readers.
Ultimately, authors must decide whether the cost savings and aesthetic benefits of no bleed printing outweigh the advantages of bleed printing.
No bleed printing is a great option for authors who are looking for a cost-effective way to publish their books without sacrificing the look and feel of their artwork.
Drawbacks of No Bleed Printing
When it comes to deciding whether to bleed or not bleed KDP, it’s important to consider the drawbacks of no bleed printing.
Without bleed printing, artwork may not look as sharp or as good as it does with bleed printing.
The white border around the edge of the page can be distracting and detract from the overall look of the book, making it appear less professional.
Additionally, no bleed printing limits the size of the page, which can be a problem for books with large illustrations or other artwork.
The smaller page size can also affect the layout of the text and make it more difficult to read.
Finally, no bleed printing is generally more cost effective than bleed printing, but it may not be the best choice for authors who are looking to create a professional and attractive book.
How to Decide if You Should Bleed or Not Bleed KDP
When it comes to self-publishing, one of the most important decisions authors must make is whether to use the KDP bleed or no bleed option.
Bleed printing extends the artwork beyond the trim edge, allowing the art to go all the way to the edge of the page.
No bleed printing leaves a white border around the edge of the page.
Both options have their own merits and drawbacks that authors must consider before making a decision.
To begin, authors should consider the cost of the two options.
Bleed printing requires a larger page size and, as a result, a higher cost.
No bleed printing is more cost effective and allows for smaller page sizes.
Authors should also consider the aesthetic benefits of each option.
Bleed printing can make the book look more professional and attractive, but the artwork may not look as sharp or as good as it does with bleed printing.
Ultimately, authors must weigh the cost and aesthetic benefits of each option to decide which is best for their book.
Additionally, authors should consider the audience they are targeting.
For example, if the book is being marketed to a younger audience, using a bleed option may be more appealing.
If the book is being marketed to a more mature audience, a no bleed option may be more appropriate.
Authors should also consider the type of book they are publishing.
If the book contains a lot of illustrations or photographs, the bleed option may be the better choice.
If the book contains a lot of text and minimal graphics, the no bleed option may be the better choice.
Finally, authors should consider their own preferences.
If they prefer the look of a no bleed book, then they should go with that option.
If they prefer the look of a bleed book, then they should go with that option.
Ultimately, authors should choose the option that best fits their needs and budget.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the decision of whether to bleed or not bleed KDP comes down to your personal preference and budget.
Bleed printing can create a more professional look for your book, but it may cost you more.
On the other hand, no bleed printing may be more cost effective and allows for smaller page sizes, but the artwork may not look as sharp or as good.
Weigh the cost and aesthetic benefits of each option to decide which is best for you.
Once youve made your decision, you can begin the process of publishing your book with KDP and get one step closer to realizing your dreams of becoming a published author.