Bleed mistakes are one of the most common reasons print interiors fail final checks. Use this source-first checklist to set the correct page size, keep images print-safe, and clear bleed warnings before upload.
Use bleed only when artwork, ornaments, or image backgrounds run to the edge of the page.
If all content stays inside safe margins, no-bleed can reduce warning risk and simplify proofing.
Do not switch bleed on and off late in the process without rerunning the full Previewer pass.
When bleed is enabled, your interior PDF must include extra page area beyond trim size.
A common KDP pattern is trim width + 0.125 inches and trim height + 0.25 inches.
If page size and bleed choice are misaligned, Previewer will flag bleed or trim mismatch warnings.
Use 300 DPI source images and avoid stretching low-resolution assets.
Extend background art to the bleed edge; do not stop exactly at trim.
Keep important text and faces inside a safe zone away from trim and spine edges.
Inspect chapter-open pages, full-page image pages, and any ornamental separators near edges.
If warnings appear, fix manuscript source settings, then export a fresh PDF and rerun checks.
Avoid manual patching in PDF tools because those edits are easy to lose on the next export.
For each bleed warning, save one screenshot of the warning panel and one screenshot of the affected page at full-page zoom.
After source fixes, rerun Previewer and capture the cleared state on the same pages so you can prove the issue is resolved.
Store these captures with your release-candidate PDF to avoid rechecking the same defects during final upload.
Working values for fast checks. Confirm final requirements in KDP before release.
| Trim size | No-bleed PDF size | Bleed PDF size | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 x 8 | 5 x 8 | 5.125 x 8.25 | Common paperback trim with simple interiors. |
| 5.25 x 8 | 5.25 x 8 | 5.375 x 8.25 | Use when edge art needs full-bleed treatment. |
| 5.5 x 8.5 | 5.5 x 8.5 | 5.625 x 8.75 | Popular trade size with image-heavy chapters. |
| 6 x 9 | 6 x 9 | 6.125 x 9.25 | Most common trim for memoir and nonfiction. |
Exact wording can vary by Previewer version, but these warning strings are common in bleed QA passes.
| Warning text in Previewer | Likely root cause | First fix to test |
|---|---|---|
| "Images or text are intended to bleed off the page, but bleed is not enabled." | Interior design reaches page edges while bleed is configured off. | Enable bleed and regenerate PDF using trim-plus-bleed page dimensions. |
| "The interior file size does not match selected trim size and bleed settings." | PDF page dimensions do not match selected trim/bleed combination. | Re-export from source using correct page size for selected trim. |
| "Some content may be cut off near the trim line." | Critical visual content extends too close to outer trim line. | Move key content inward and keep only background art in bleed area. |
| "Images do not appear to be high enough resolution for printing." | Edge art was upscaled from low-resolution source. | Replace with 300-DPI source image at final print dimensions. |
| "Some content may be clipped in the gutter." | Inside margin too tight for page count after bleed sizing updates. | Increase inside margin and rerun chapter-open page checks. |
Fix: Update source document page size to trim plus bleed dimensions and export a fresh PDF.
Verify: Previewer no longer reports bleed-size mismatch.
Fix: Extend image/background in source layout so art reaches bleed boundary.
Verify: Edge pages render without white strips in Previewer.
Fix: Move text or key visual elements inward to safe-margin positions.
Verify: Critical elements clear trim and gutter danger zones.
Fix: Replace asset with true high-resolution source image.
Verify: Previewer no longer flags quality on the same page.
Fix: Confirm you uploaded the newest export and removed stale local copies.
Verify: Renamed release file shows updated warning count in Previewer.
Fix: Normalize layout strategy so all pages follow one bleed policy for the edition.
Verify: Previewer no longer shows inconsistent edge treatment issues.
Use the same workflow in one workspace: draft, export, run checks, fix source, and publish one clean release-candidate file.
Usually no. If no content touches page edges, no-bleed is often cleaner and easier to validate.
You can patch files, but it is safer to fix source settings and re-export so future revisions remain stable.
Start with full-page images, ornament-heavy chapter starts, and any page where design elements approach the trim edge.