Everyone loves Canva (except printers). It's free, intuitive, and produces nice-looking images. However, the program is primarily a web-based design tool, which means its default settings are optimized for screen display rather than print applications.

When we receive art made through Canva, it almost always creates a problem. Read on to learn why and what you can do differently.

THE ISSUE WITH CANVA FILES

Sure, it makes nice images,

but it gives us trouble every time. Read on to learn why.

1. File Quality and Resolution: The resolution of images and graphics created in Canva might not meet the high-quality standards required for professional printing, leading to blurry or pixelated prints.

2. Color Accuracy: Canva uses the RGB color model, which is suitable for digital screens but not for printing. Professional printing requires the Pantone or CMYK color models to ensure accurate color reproduction. Converting RGB files to CMYK can result in color shifts and inconsistencies.

3. File Formats: The file formats that Canva exports (like PNG or JPEG) are not always ideal for printing. We prefer vector formats such as PDF, EPS, or AI, which maintain the quality and scalability of your graphics.

4. Bleed and Margins: Canva does not automatically include bleed and crop marks, which are essential for professional printing to ensure that designs extend to the edge of the paper without white borders. Without these marks, prints can have unintentional white edges.

5. Editable Files: We often need access to the original, editable files to make minor adjustments, such as correcting colors or aligning elements. Canva files are not easily editable outside the Canva platform, limiting our ability to make necessary tweaks.

6. Font Issues: Fonts in Canva designs may not always be embedded or available to printers, leading to font substitution or missing text in the final printed product.

To ensure the best printing results, we always recommend using professional design software like Adobe Illustrator or Adobe InDesign. These programs offer greater control over file quality, color accuracy, and print-specific settings.

"Uh-oh. Too late.

My art is already built in Canva..."

If you have already used Canva for your document creation, you can learn how to better prepare your files for professional printing. There are built-in limitations that Canva acknowledges, but you can click the link below for instructions on how to export your art with bleeds and trim marks.

Dream Big. We'll Print It!