Bleed is required in all artwork if you want the appearance of color extending off the paper.

Add a 0.0625 border to each side to allow for cutting.

For example, for a 3.5" x 2" Business Card with full bleed, the image size should be submitted at 3.62" x 2.125".

IMPORTANT: Make sure your background artwork extends into this area.
DO NOT add it as white (unless your background is white).
DO NOT add a border on your artwork to outline it.

Note that boxes and borders will NOT cut straight or look professional.

The added 0.0625" (1/16") on each edge of the card will be trimmed off during the cutting process.

This will leave you a 3.5" x 2" standard Business Card.

Your type (text) should always be at least 0.125" (1/8") more inside the cut box on each side.
This will guarantee your text to not be clipped or look odd in the finished piece.