KDP Bleed Requirements
Quick answer
KDP bleed is the extra 0.125 inch area that lets background color or artwork extend past the trim edge. Use bleed when any cover or interior artwork reaches the page edge. Backgrounds must extend into bleed, but live text must stay inside the safe area. A no-bleed interior should export at trim size exactly; a bleed interior must include the added bleed dimensions.
When this matters
Bleed matters for full-bleed children's books, coloring books, image-heavy interiors, covers with edge-to-edge backgrounds, and any design where white edges after trimming would be unacceptable. It also matters when KDP says the background is not extended, text is outside the safe area, or cover bleed size is wrong.
Common causes
- Artwork stops at the trim edge instead of extending 0.125 inch past it.
- The PDF is exported at trim size while the dashboard is set to bleed.
- Text, page numbers, or logos are placed too close to trim.
- A cover uses bleed on some edges but not the full spread.
- Crop marks or scaling change the final page size.
How to check
Confirm whether the book is bleed or no bleed in KDP. Measure the final PDF page size. Inspect every page with edge artwork and confirm backgrounds extend beyond trim. Then inspect safe area placement separately so important text stays away from trim, fold, and spine zones.
Tool
Use the Bleed Calculator to check bleed, trim, and safe area dimensions before exporting again.
Related KDP errors
Before uploading again
Use the pre-upload checklist and run the risk scan after checking both bleed and safe area.