Most home printers can't actually print to the edge. There's a 5-7mm margin they physically can't reach.
For true edge-to-edge, you need a printer that supports borderless mode or a commercial print shop. Either way, the PDF needs the right setup.
Check your printer's capability
Look in the printer dialog for "Borderless" or "No Margins" or "Full Bleed" options. If it's there, your printer supports it (mostly on inkjet photo printers).
If there's no such option, your printer can't do true borderless. Best you can get is small margins.
Set the PDF page size correctly
For borderless on home printers, the PDF page size should match the paper exactly. No bleed area — the printer expands the print area to cover the sheet.
For commercial printing with bleed, the PDF should be larger than the paper by 3mm on each side. The shop trims the bleed during finishing.
Print and check
Print a sample. White edges? Either your printer doesn't support borderless, or the borderless option wasn't selected.
For reliable edge-to-edge results, use a commercial shop. Home printers vary too much.
FAQ
Why won't my printer print to the edge?
Most printers physically can't — the paper feed mechanism leaves a margin. Photo printers usually support borderless; office printers usually don't.
What's bleed for in commercial printing?
Bleed gives the shop extra material to trim. Without bleed, slight misalignment in trimming leaves white edges. With bleed, trimming hits coloured area cleanly.
Can I adjust margins after exporting?
Yes — crop the PDF margins so the content fills more of the page. Doesn't change physical printer limits but helps for some printers.
Will commercial printers accept my PDF?
Most do. Confirm the file specs they want (page size, bleed amount, embedded fonts). Send a print-ready PDF and they'll handle the rest.
Edge-to-edge printing is mostly a printer question. Set up the PDF correctly in Flint's editor and pair with the right printer or shop.