Creating a print-ready file with Canva

New post

26 August 2024

Hi! It’s Marion, I’m a graphic designer and YES I use CANVA, I’m going to give you a few tips to create your file ready to print !

1. Create an account or log in

  • Create an account: If you don’t yet have a Canva account, sign up at Canva.com.
  • Log in: If you already have an account, log in.

2. Choose a template or create a custom design

  • Choose a template: Canva offers many ready-made templates for different types of projects (flyers, business cards, posters, etc.). Choose the one that suits your needs.
  • Create a custom design: You can also start from a blank page by clicking ‘Create a design’ and selecting the desired dimensions.

3. Set the dimensions and margins for printing

  • Custom dimensions: Make sure your design has the right dimensions for what you are going to print. You can enter custom dimensions in pixels, inches, millimetres or centimetres.
  • Bleed: Add bleed if your design extends beyond the format. To do this, enable the option in “ file, settings, show bleed ”.

4. Create and customise your design

  • Add elements: Use Canva’s tools to add text, images, shapes and other graphic elements.
  • Customise text and images: Change the fonts, colours, and adjust the images so they match your vision.

5. Check the quality and resolution of images

  • Use high-resolution images: Make sure all the images used have a sufficient resolution for printing (at least 300 DPI).

6. Prepare the file for printing

  • Download as a print PDF: Canva offers several download options. For high-quality printing, choose ‘PDF Print’ when downloading. This option includes bleed and crop marks if you have added them.
  • Check the download settings: Before downloading, check the settings to make sure everything is correct (dimensions, bleed, crop marks).

7. Download the file

  • Click the ‘Download’ button and select ‘PDF Print’. Don’t forget to tick ‘crop marks and bleed’. Your file will be downloaded in high quality, ready for printing.

A few extra little tips ;)

  • Preview: Before downloading, use the preview to see what your design will look like once printed.
  • Save often: Canva saves your work automatically, but it’s always good to check that your changes have been saved.
  • Collaborate: You can invite others to collaborate on your design if you work as a team.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to create a print-ready file with Canva, ensuring that your design is high-quality and meets your expectations.

Don’t panic — the whole DTP team is here to advise you on the printing technique best suited to your project.