Both the terms ‘slug’ and ‘bleed’ are commonly used by publishers. However, these words can be new for many people, and it is important to know the meaning of each.
Bleed in the printing and publishing world means the printing that goes way beyond the edge of where the particular sheet is trimmed. Bleed, in other words, will also mean trimming the bleed area of a particular sheet.
Key Takeaways
- Slug and bleed are two methods of removing material from pipelines for maintenance.
- Slug involves using a physical object to push the material out of the pipeline, while bleed involves using a valve to drain the material.
- Slug is used for larger materials, while bleed is used for smaller amounts.
Slug vs. Bleed
Slug and bleed are printing terminology. Slug refers to the region outside of the printable area where the printer can insert marks, remarks, and other information. Bleed is the space beyond the printed page’s edge where the ink extends to guarantee there are no white margins after cutting.
Bleed is part of the area where a small space is kept so that the paper can move. Slug, on the other hand, is outside the printing area.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Slug | Bleed |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A slug is an area that is outside the printing and also outside the bleed area. | On the other hand, Bleed is that area that goes beyond the edges of a document that needs to be trimmed off. |
| Trimmed off | The slug needs to be trimmed off before a document gets finalized. | Bleed, too, must be trimmed off before a document is finalized. |
| Types | There are no types of slug | Bleed is of two types that are intentional and unintentional bleeding. |
| Importance | To impart several types of written instruction. | To avoid strips of white paper showing on the edges of the particular print. |
What is Slug?
Slug is a term that publishers and printers commonly use. So, if you ask them, they might give you a detailed description of a slug.
The slug area is supposed to have the registration mark and other printing instructions for the printer. So, knowing how these things perform while performing publishing or printing work is important.
One common thing that describes slugs and bleeds is that both refer to a location or area of a particular document. The slug area is present to move the document by enabling its available options.
Well, if a publisher does not need the functions of the slug, they can prefer not to use it because if there is no need, then there is no need to use it. You can see the slug area on the printing document or outside a page’s margin on the edges of a trim line.
The publisher or the printer should know how to use the slug area because it will have all the important information here. Some of the common information it will have are titles, names, dates, and other information.
The slug area of a particular sheet or a document can also be used as a tracking tool for the recipient. In the end, when the document or the sheet and everything get finalized and are ready to be printed, the slug area will or should be removed because it has fulfilled all its needs and requirements.
What is Bleed?
Bleed, in the world of publishing and printing, on the other hand, means the area beyond the edge of the sheet where the sheet will have to be trimmed. The area that needs to be trimmed off is called ‘bleed.’
Bleed and slug are referred to the area that ultimately has to be removed after finalizing the project or the document. Some options can even publish the bleed area by clicking on some options available.
So, there is a choice for the printer or the publisher about a particular document or sheet, whether they need to keep or delete the bleed part. Bleed is done purposely where a partial text will extend the page.
Now, bleeding can be of two types, and that is intentional bleeding and unintentional bleed. The unintentional bleed takes place to test a particular document or a project and check the inaccuracies present in the document.
After everything is done, like testing and checking the inaccuracies, the result is called the sample before finalizing the document or the project. On the other hand, an intentional bleed is an area that is kept intentionally so that it can be used for several purposes like designing and other purposes.
Main Differences Between Slug and Bleed
- Both slug and bleed refer to the publishing and printing terms and have a meaning to them.
- Slug means the area that is outside the printing, and it is also outside the bleed area.
- Conversely, Bleed means the area beyond the edge of a particular document or a sheet.
- The slug and bleed areas are trimmed off before a document is finalized.
- Bleed can be of two types: intentional and unintentional bleed, whereas there are no types of slugs.
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
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