Bleed (when to use it)
Use bleed if any background, image, or color touches the edge of the page. Your design must extend beyond the trim so minor cutting shifts don’t leave a white sliver.
No bleed (when to use it)
Use no bleed if you want a consistent white border and all content stays inside the safe area.
Why this matters for sizing
If you choose bleed, your PDF page size must include the bleed area. In practice, that means adding 0.125" on each side (0.25" total to width and height) for most KDP setups.
Free vs Bundle (what you get)
Free Guides
- Fix checklists for common KDP upload errors
- How to set up Canva safely (without edge issues)
- Export reminders (PDF Print settings)
- Explains why KDP rejects files — and how to avoid it
Paid Bundle (recommended)
- Exact gutter values by page count for each supported trim size
- Exact margin guides (inside / outside / top / bottom) in inches + cm
- Step-by-step Canva setup walkthrough (pass-first-time workflow)
- Pre-upload checklist + edge cases (thin borders, full-bleed, etc.)
Not sure which guide you need? Get the Bundle →
The free guides help you diagnose and fix common issues. The Bundle gives you the exact settings so you can upload with confidence.