Set up bleed and trim for print

Prepare the print file with correct bleed and trim for the commercial printer. Set up the document at final trim size, extend artwork and background elements 0.125 inches beyond the trim on all sides for bleed, place the trim guide on the artboard edges, and save a print-ready copy named Flyer_Bleed_2026-06-17.ai. Confirm page boxes and include printer crop marks when exporting a PDF for Aaron in production.

Before exporting the PDF for print, make the bleed and trim obvious to the reviewer. Put a quick note in the file that states final trim size, bleed amount, and which elements reach the bleed. Highlight anything that lies too close to the trim that might be cut off and flag type within 0.125 inches of trim as risky.

The printer sent a sample with a thin white sliver on the right edge. I set 0.125 inches bleed originally and used the export preset, but I don’t know if the issue is wrong bleed, misaligned crop marks, or a press shift. What’s the most likely cause, what quick checks do I run, and what do I tell Aaron so he can decide whether to re-export or adjust on press?

Three projects this quarter arrived from the printer with inconsistent trims and small white edges. My team keeps assuming the export was correct, but the printers blame files. What consistent checks and file settings should I enforce before sending art to avoid these production re-runs?