From Canva to Press: Simple Steps for Print-Ready Files

Tamas Cseza
3 days ago
2 min read

Canva is great for quick design work, but it wasn’t really built with commercial presses in mind.If you’re sending Canva designs to a print shop, here’s how to keep things running smoothly.

1. Start with the right size and bleed

Set your Canva document to the final print size (8.5" × 11", postcard, etc.)
Turn on Show print bleed and Show margins
Extend backgrounds and images right through the bleed area so there are no white edges after trimming

2. Make sure your images have enough pixelsCanva will let you stretch tiny images huge – print will not be kind.

Aim for roughly 300 dpi at final size (enough real pixels, not just “looks okay on screen”)
Avoid screenshots and tiny web images
Use original photos and proper logo files (SVG or high-res PNG)

3. Treat fonts and text with careYour printer doesn’t have Canva’s font library, so we rely on the PDF you export.

Keep text and logos inside the margin guides, not right on the edge
Always send a PDF Print, not just a Canva link
Avoid changing fonts after you’ve signed off a proof – it can push text to new lines

4. Colour: think CMYK, not just what you see on screen On screen you’re in RGB; on press we’re in CMYK.

If you have Canva Pro, export PDF Print (CMYK) for more predictable colour
For small text and fine lines, use a simple K-only black
Use rich black (CMYK mix) only for large solid areas and headings – and follow your printer’s recommended values

5. Export like it’s going to a press, not to social media When you’re ready to send files out:

File type: PDF Print
Turn on crop marks and bleed
Consider flattening the PDF if the design is very complex or effect-heavy

6. Tell your printer it’s from Canva A tiny bit of context helps a lot. When you send files, mention:

“Designed in Canva, exported as PDF Print with bleed and crop marks”
Ask if the size, bleed and colour look good for the product
Ask if they have a preferred rich black and safe margin you should use next time

If you’re designing in Canva and you’re not 100% sure the file is press-ready, send us the PDF. At CETTEC Printing, we’re happy to check size, bleed, images, fonts and colour builds before anything hits the press.