What is the Difference Between Slug and Bleed?

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The terms "slug" and "bleed" refer to specific areas of a document during the printing process. Here are the main differences between them:

  • Bleed: Bleed is the term used to describe when ink is printed beyond the edge of the paper, ensuring that there are no white lines around the edge of the project. Bleed is essential for maintaining the integrity of the design and should not be removed.
  • Slug: Slug, on the other hand, refers to the extra space left around the edge of the document. It is used to give the printer some room to work with and helps avoid cutting off any important text or images. Slugs are usually removed after the final printing process.

In summary, bleed and slug serve different functions in the printing process. Bleed is an area of the document where ink extends beyond the edge of the paper, while slug is an area of extra space around the edge of a document that is not intended to be part of the final product.

Comparative Table: Slug vs Bleed

Here is a table that highlights the differences between slug and bleed:

Feature Slug Bleed
Definition The extra space left around the edge of the document. The area of the artwork that extends beyond the size of the document.
Purpose Provides a margin of error for the printer and allows for any slight fluctuations in the printing process. Ensures a better-finished product by avoiding any white bits of unprinted paper at the edges.
Usage Not necessary, but can be helpful on certain projects. Necessary for a high-quality print.
Trimming The slug area is discarded when the document is trimmed to its final page size. The bleed area is also discarded when the document is trimmed to its final page size.
Removal Should not be removed, as it helps ensure a high-quality print. Should not be removed, as it helps ensure a high-quality print.

In summary, slug and bleed are both important aspects of the printing process, but they serve different purposes. Slug provides extra space for the printer to work with, while bleed ensures a high-quality print by avoiding white lines around the edge of the project. Both are important to consider when creating a document for print, but they should not be removed during the printing process.