Why You Should Avoid Borders in Print Design

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A Pro Tip for Cleaner, More Professional Results

Borders might seem like a simple design element—but in print, they’re often more trouble than they’re worth.

At Graphic Sky Printing, we’ve seen how borders can cause problems that even the best equipment can’t always fix. Here’s why we generally recommend skipping them—and what to do instead for a cleaner, more polished final product.

1. Tiny Shifts = Noticeable Problems
Even with precision equipment, there are always small variations in how sheets are printed, trimmed, and aligned. These shifts—called tolerance—can be just a hair off, but with a border, that’s all it takes to make the whole design look crooked or uneven.

2. Cutting Isn't Always Perfect
Trimming is done in stacks, and slight shifting in the stack can cause the cut to vary by up to 1/32". A border that looked great on screen might end up too close to one edge, or partially cut off entirely.

3. Front-and-Back Alignment Gets Tricky
For double-sided items like postcards or business cards, even slight misalignment front to back can make borders look off—especially if both sides have framed edges that are meant to match.

4. Press & Paper Variables
Paper can stretch or shrink slightly during printing, especially on longer runs or with heavy coverage. This can impact registration and trim, making borders an unreliable visual anchor.

What to Do Instead

  • Use Full Bleeds: Let your background color or image extend past the edges and we’ll trim it down to size. It looks clean and professional.

  • Keep Safe Margins: Avoid putting text or important elements too close to the edge—leave at least 1/8" to 1/4" inside the trim line.

  • If You Must Use a Border: Make it bold and thick—at least 1/4" wide—to absorb any slight trimming shifts without looking uneven.

The Bottom Line
Avoiding borders is one of the easiest ways to make your printed pieces look sharp, consistent, and professional. When in doubt, keep it clean and let your design breathe.

Need help adjusting your layout for print? We’re happy to take a look before you send it off—just email us at info@graphicsky.com or upload your files at graphicsky.com.

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