Crop mark

DEFINITION

A "crop mark" is any mark that clearly shows where material should be cut off, typically after an image has been produced, usually once it has been printed. In this example see thumbnail to right a crop mark has been placed outside of each corner of the dotted-line surrounding the printed area, so that a white margin will remain once the image has been cropped. Crop marks should not be confused with register marks ? here placed outside of the centers of sides of the printed area. Register marks help in aligning the printing of separate colors.Also see bleed mark, frame, mat, and placement.