Tutorial: Setting up your Illustrator files properly
1. Make sure your document size is set up exactly to the size of your job and no larger. You can do this by going to the File menu and choosing Document Setup after starting a new file.

Example:


2. Let's assume our file is going to be a 4" x 6" flyer. Since we need to add 1/8" bleed to all four sides of the file (to add a total .25" or 1/4" to both the width and height) for printing quality then we will set up the document to be 4.25" tall by 6.25" wide.

Example:


3. This is turn shrinks the document size down to the size of our 4" x 6" flyer (actually that's 4.25" x 6.25" with our bleed of course). You can see how the black boundaries of the document now exactly match our sample flyer:

4. Now we move the image directly over the matching document size:

5. Viola! Adhering to these document size guidelines will help diminish any margin for error thus reducing the possibility of any delay in printing your important job.

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