We recommend avoiding the use of frames or passepartouts in your files. Small deviations of 1-2 mm during cutting are inevitable, no matter which product you choose. It's the same as when you cut a sheet of paper with scissors, right? If your file contains a frame, this slight deviation (otherwise almost imperceptible) could become very noticeable. The smaller the printed area and the thinner the frame, the higher the risk of an uneven final result: for example, with a frame of only 2 mm, if the cut shifts by just 1 mm on one side, the difference will be very noticeable.
When you decide to include frames in your file, you must always make sure to respect the safe area indicated in the template. It is important to place any frames (as well as important text and graphics) within the safe area to ensure they are not cut off or misaligned on the final product, which could lead to an undesirable appearance.
Read this article about the safe area if you’d like to learn more.
Here’s an example of a file with the frame placed inside the safe area (the first one) and another where the frame is outside the safe area (second), along with the corresponding print results. In the second case, since the frame is too close to the outer edge, even a slight deviation during cutting makes it very obvious that the distance between the frame and the edge is not uniform:
Opting for a thicker frame (which extends from the bleed into the safe area) helps reduce the off-centre effect that can be visible with a thinner frame, especially if it is placed outside the safe area.
Even when using Designer to create your graphics online, follow the same rules, always keeping the safe area in mind:
If your file contains a frame, place it within the safe area (at least 3 mm from the cut line) to ensure a high-quality result.
If you still have any doubt please contact us: we'll be happy to help you!